Score: The Podcast

Composer John Lunn (DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA) talks about scoring six seasons of one of TV’s most prolific successes, and the transformation into a hit movie franchise. Why A NEW ERA (out today) is the score he’s most proud of, the joy of scoring at Air Lyndhurst with 70-piece strings, and why the quiche in the Air cafeteria is so delicious — as Robert can attest! Interview by Robert Kraft and Matt Schrader on MORE SCORE! MORE SCORE is a fan-supported show available on Patreon, Apple Podcast and Spotify. To support for $10/month and get full episodes from inside the film score world, use the links below: Apple (iOS 15 or later): http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/... Spotify (via Anchor): http://anchor.fm/score/subscribe Patreon: http://Patreon.com/MoreScore

Hesham Nazih is a composer based in Cairo, and the first Egyptian composer to score a Marvel project with MOON KNIGHT. In this interview, Hesham details how he got the job, the spectacular vocal effects in the music, and the difference between the Hollywood sound of Egypt and the real thing — and how they’ve grown together. Plus, Hesham’s story of being unable to afford musical training, and his process of self-teaching from playing in bands to meeting young filmmakers who needed scores. And the lesson one filmmaker shared with him about being unafraid to say “no” when you don’t believe in the project. Interview by Matt Schrader.

Breton Vivian is an English-Australian composer known for his scores to Yellowstone (with Brian Tyler) as well as the recent miniseries 1883. We talk about how working at Brian’s studio (and helping him move it) helped Breton come into his own as a composer. Plus, the different ways themes, unique solo instruments, and orchestra can play together in western-inspired score. He also talk about his entry into film scores (growing disillusioned with the UK band scene) and how there’s no substitute for taking lots of meetings with potential creative collaborators. Interview by Matt Schrader on MORE SCORE.

Composer Joseph Stephens (EASTBOUND & DOWN, VICE PRINCIPALS, UPLOAD) talks about creating songs and score for the dark comedy THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES on HBO, how he works directly with Danny McBride on the songs and lyrics, and his strange path to scoring through several experimental bands. Plus, how he sources musicians and plugs in virtually, post-pandemic! Interview with Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader on MORE SCORE!

The composing duo MONDO BOYS is behind some of the big breakout indie films of the last half decade (SHUT IN, FATMAN, SILK ROAD). They talk about their unusual path from experimenting as teenagers in San Diego in the late 1990s, to their process creating some of the most original and polished hybrid scores in Hollywood today. Mike Schanzlin and Mike Griffin discuss the origin of their MONDO BOYS moniker, their workflow together, why thinking like a director helps them musically, and how a few virtuoso instrumentalists can make a good score great. Interviewed by Matt Schrader.

In this special episode of MORE SCORE on Patreon, Robert Kraft speaks to Russian composer Dmitry Selipanov about fleeing his home in Moscow because of the war. With his family now sequestered in a temporary home in nearby Georgia (possibly never returning to his home or music studio), Dmitry discusses the most difficult decision he’s ever had to make for his family’s well being, and his hopes that his successful film scoring career may one day be able to continue in another country. NOTE: This is a free sample episode of MORE SCORE. MORE SCORE is the premium offseason bonus show of SCORE: THE PODCAST, with regular interviews, behind-the-scenes materials, and a whole lot more. You can subscribe on several platforms here: PATREON (best option with subscriber levels & merch): http://Patreon.com/MoreScore APPLE PODCASTS: Click "Subscribe" on the Score: The Podcast show page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/score-the-podcast/id1357882784 ALL OTHERS: Click the link in our show description to subscribe. 

Composer Anthony Willis talks about his eight years working with John Powell, his discovery of his own musical passions as a kid, and how it led him to experiences working with people like Harry Gregson-Williams and Henry Jackman — and his breakout solo composer job on Emerald Fennell’s 2020 Oscar nominated PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN.

Giona Ostinelli & Sonya Belousova talk about the road from classical pianist to scoring films together, their strange instrument selection, recording slurping sounds for the score to NBC's The Thing About Pam, and The Witcher season 1. Plus, a special pig performance of their hit song "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" (yes, it's as odd and wonderful as it sounds). Enjoy!

Composer Joe Trapanese talks about how long he can experiment to find a unique sound, why he doesn't mind long delays for his movies to come out, and his decision to take fewer scoring jobs, to ensure each one is something he can find fulfillment in. Plus, working for years on his upcoming thriller Spiderhead directed by Joseph Kosinski (TRON: Legacy, Oblivion, Top Gun: Maverick)

Tina Guo is an internationally known cellist (and composer!) known for her performing career on worldwide concert tours, including the upcoming Hans Zimmer Live! In this chat, Tina talks about leaving for the first post-pandemic tour, why the crowds in Dublin in particular get so excited for film music, and what it's like to enter a musical a trance on stage.