Both music and film have been important parts of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child I would spend countless hours watching films, and then re-enacting scenes using Star Wars figures (Bib Fortuna was a personal favourite), Plasticine and my parents beloved camcorder. I used to create the soundtracks myself, using a crappy old Casio keyboard which made crackling noises every time you touched a key. Most of this early output has been lost in the ether, but, ah, the memories remain...

Around 8 or 9 I started learning the violin, followed shortly by the piano. I joined school orchestras and string groups, and was soon accepted into the Surrey Youth Orchestra. We played at loads of great venues in the UK, most notably the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall.

I reached Grade 7 violin and Grade 6 piano, and am a self-taught guitarist and bassist. I have spent a long time gigging and writing my own songs. From 2006-07, I played the guitar in the band Private Lives, with whom I performed at the Hope and Anchor, Cafe de Paris and Carling Islington Academy, amongst others.
The band was produced several times by Jim Sutherland, a notable Scottish composer. I chatted with him about the industry and became really interested in pursuing film composition as a career. This is something I had long considered, given my interest in music and cinema. In particular, I was inspired by the work of Ennio Morricone, Danny Elfman, Joe Hisaishi and James Newton Howard (though I could talk for days about my favourite film music.)

My first opportunity came in 2008, when I provided the opening music for Daniel Perdies short film 8:18. This was followed by scores for Cylus Jones (dir. Erika and Jon Huff) and The Computer (dir. Antony Kwok).

In 2009, I was approached by Michael Sherry of Hollow Tree Films to write the score for their latest feature film, The Road Home. This project was a fantastic experience for me, and the soundtrack was a great success. The film has played at the Pocono Mountains Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Film, and is scheduled to play at more festivals in the USA in late 2009/early 2010. I will be working with Hollow Tree Films in 2010 on their upcoming short film.

Committed to improving my musicianship and gaining knowledge of the film music industry, I enrolled in a Masters degree in Composing for Film and TV at Kingston University. This course has provided me with an insight into the techniques and technology used in composing for film.

I also have a great interest in film-making itself and was awarded the Director’s Foundation Certificate from Raindance in 2005. After completing the course, I made several short films and attended the Cannes Film Festival the following year.

Given my knowledge of film production, I understand how important it is for film composers to be communicative, efficient and professional in their work.

Thanks for reading and please don't hesitate to contact me.

Stephen