Score: The Podcast

Scottish-born composer Paul Leonard-Morgan (Last Breath, Cyberpunk 2077, Tales from the Loop, Limitless) is a master of different mediums — from film/television to video games, concerts and working with recording artists like bands Belle & Sebastian and Snow Patrol, among many others.

His latest, survival-thriller Last Breath starring Woody Harrelson, is his second score to this story — he also scored the hit documentary about the real people. Paul details how he evolved his approach for the narrative film, including his own wetsuit dive to record metallic clinks against boats in Malibu, California, in order to create a unique, journalistic feel to the music approach.

How his collaborations with legendary composer Philip Glass came about for Tales from the Loop, after they both worked with documentary filmmaker Errol Morris. Plus, how the aggressive and dark sound of Cyberpunk 2077 came together, and why writing tunes — and staying passionate under grueling deadlines — is the magic that unlocks success.

Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader.

For exclusive and 4K footage inside studios of your favorite composers, follow Score on YouTube Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

Score: The Podcast is presented by Vienna Symphonic Library. Check out Vienna Symphonic Library’s collection of innovating libraries and samples at vsl.co.at — including their flagship Synchron Series, recorded at Vienna Synchron Stage, where hit films and shows for HBO, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Bear McCreary’s score to Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video, and many more are recorded. Check out Synchron Duality Strings libraries, or check out the free sample player, freebie libraries and demos at http://vsl.co.at

To learn more about recording at Vienna Synchron Stage, visit http://synchronstage.com

Score: The Podcast is a presentation of Epicleff Media and is produced by Holmes Productions.

Video Timecodes

0:00 Intro

1:49 Vienna Symphonic Library

3:59 Paul Leonard-Morgan Interview

6:51 Scoring Drama vs. Documentary

9:29 ‘Last Breath’ opening

12:51 Recording Boats in Malibu

17:28 Finding Unique Sounds

19:58 Paulstretch Experimenting and ‘Dredd’

20:52 Musical beginnings

28:31 Punk-rock heart

31:37 Finding a style

35:54 Finding Inspiration

40:22 Philip Glass collaborations

42:00 ‘Tales from the Loop’

51:21 ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ & writing

1:00:34 Three Things

1:06:56 Charles Manson’s music

1:12:01 VSL Synchron Series

1:13:46 VSL ‘Forrest Gump’ Demo

At 34, UK-based artist and composer Daniel Blumberg is the youngest person nominated for this year’s Best Score at the Oscars. His work on The Brutalist, nominated for 10 Academy Awards, is a continuation and evolution of Brady Corbet’s directorial talent — a longtime friend and collaborator. Daniel talks us through his formative experience at Cafe Oto in London — a hub for eccentric and inventive musical talents, which has also inspired Daniel’s own highly reviewed solo albums. Daniel explains why he had to visit Italy himself to calibrate the echoes of a marble quarry, why he and Brady always envisioned the opening as a balance of tension and payoff, and why he left in raw recordings of musical “sketches” on purpose to help convey the endless pursuit of creative perfection the film depicts. Why the rising awards buzz around his unique score makes him nervous, and the unlikely (but true!) admiration for Wallace & Gromit.Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader. Recorded at A24 Studios in Los Angeles.For exclusive and 4K footage inside studios of your favorite composers, follow Score on YouTube Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.Score: The Podcast is presented by Vienna Symphonic Library. Check out Vienna Symphonic Library’s collection of innovating libraries and samples at vsl.co.at — including their flagship Synchron Series, recorded at Vienna Synchron Stage, where hit films and shows for HBO, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Bear McCreary’s score to Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video, and many more are recorded. Check out Synchron Duality Strings libraries, or check out the free sample player, freebie libraries and demos at http://vsl.co.atUse promo code SCORESMART10 for 10% off Synchron Smart Orchestra 2.0, valid until March 17To learn more about recording at Vienna Synchron Stage, visit http://synchronstage.comScore: The Podcast is a presentation of Epicleff Media and is produced by Holmes Productions.