#6 | Paul Leonard-Morgan (Last Breath)
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.atTo 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.Video Timecodes0:00 Intro1:49 Vienna Symphonic Library3:59 Paul Leonard-Morgan Interview6:51 Scoring Drama vs. Documentary9:29 ‘Last Breath’ opening12:51 Recording Boats in Malibu17:28 Finding Unique Sounds19:58 Paulstretch Experimenting and ‘Dredd’20:52 Musical beginnings28:31 Punk-rock heart31:37 Finding a style35:54 Finding Inspiration40:22 Philip Glass collaborations42:00 ‘Tales from the Loop’51:21 ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ & writing1:00:34 Three Things1:06:56 Charles Manson’s music1:12:01 VSL Synchron Series1:13:46 VSL ‘Forrest Gump’ Demo