Score: The Podcast

Composer Dave Porter joins SCORE to discuss the musical storytelling of paradigm-shattering sci-fi series PLURIBUS on Apple TV, the process of working with creator Vince Gilligan on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and why a tight-knit creative team is the key to never, ever letting a spoiler leak before an episode is out.Dave discusses his upbringing in the Washington D.C. area, and how his early life competing in piano competitions didn’t really lead him into composing — until the digital revolution unlocked new musical exploration.Plus, how to write a human-sounding opening theme for Pluribus with carefully-chosen syllables, as sung by a choir. Why it takes a day or more to spot a single episode. And how Pluribus’ star, played by Rhea Seehorn, has her own unique sound.Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader in Hollywood. Production coordination by Kyle Bales. Special thanks to Christian Endicio, Chandler Poling and Thomas Mikusz of White Bear PR.Score: The Podcast is presented by Vienna Symphonic Library. Check out Vienna Symphonic Library’s collection of innovating libraries and samples — including their flagship Synchron Series, recorded at Vienna Synchron Stage, where hit films and shows for HBO, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, 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.comVideo Timecodes0:00 Dave Porter2:38 Show Open3:08 Vienna Symphonic Library4:44 Musical Upbringing6:24 Electronic Music7:08 Phillip Glass7:49 Career Decision9:57 Moving to LA12:11 Breaking Bad15:12 Better Call Saul16:01 Pluribus Beginnings18:34 Voices & Synthetics21:14 Creating the Main Title23:05 Working with vocalists *24:46 Syllables Sound27:30 Vince Gilligan spotting sessions31:00 Creating without a team34:27 Licensed music vs. Score37:01 No temp music40:48 Starting with a Metronome43:39 Rhea Seehorn45:45 Elevated Sci-Fi *48:48 Cracking the human story52:51 First Interview with Vince Gilligan56:30 Itching for new episodes59:50 No Preview Screenings1:01:55 Thanks Dave Porter1:02:42 Vienna Symphonic Library1:04:26 VSL ‘The Celestial Conquest’ Demo

Electronic music pioneer Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix Point Never) joins SCORE to discuss his explosive new score to A24’s MARTY SUPREME, directed by Josh Safdie, as well as his background as a godfather of the late-2000s “Vaporwave” music genre and his ongoing record producing with singer-songwriter Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd).Daniel dives into his early life and discovery on early electronic musical instruments, and how a meaningless corporate job helped inspire some of the hallmarks of Vaporwave music, as heard in his 2010 release Chuck Person’s Eccojams Vol. 1. Daniel dives into vaporware’s inspirations and it’s ongoing influence on his albums, work with the Safdie brothers (GOOD TIME, UNCUT GEMS, Showtime’s THE CURSE and A24’s MARTY SUPREME), and music producing career with The Weeknd.Plus, Timothee Chalamet’s visit to his studio drinking a Red Stripe — and we ask Daniel if he can confirm or deny that Chalamet may have a secret music career as Liverpool rap artist EsDeeKid. Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader at A24 in West Hollywood. Production coordination by Kyle Bales. Special thanks to Rachel Kwon and the A24 team and Ryan Mazie.Score: The Podcast is presented by Vienna Symphonic Library. Check out Vienna Symphonic Library’s collection of innovating libraries and samples — including their flagship Synchron Series, recorded at Vienna Synchron Stage, where hit films and shows for HBO, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, 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

Drummer, DJ, producer, Oscar-winning documentary director, composer and musical director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson joins SCORE from John Mayer’s private writing room at Henson Recording Studios!Ahmir discusses the absolutely bonkers music mashup from 50 years of Saturday Night Live, featured in his Emmy-nominated documentary LADIES & GENTLEMEN: 50 YEARS OF SNL MUSIC. Plus, how he discovered SNL really doesn’t have any “theme song” despite its iconic sound. He also discusses his two other Emmy nominations for SLY LIVES!, a documentary about the great Sly and the Family Stone, and as musical director for SNL50: THE HOMECOMING CONCERT.How his start in a performing arts school in Philadelphia led him to meet Tariq Trotter (Black Thought) and form the band The Roots. Questlove reveals the long-anticipated new album, 10 years in the making, will be released in early 2026.He also dives into his other ventures — from Oscar-winning SUMMER OF SOUL (which won right after the infamous Will Smith / Chris Rock slap moment — that Ahmir missed at the time) — to his early experiments on potentially directing a live-action THE ARISTOCATS film for Disney, which he reveals likely isn’t moving forward at this time.Plus, drumming on buckets, acting with John Mayer on an iconic Chappelle’s Show sketch, and why one of his biggest dreams remains getting to perform with The Roots on SNL.Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader at Henson Recordings Studios in Hollywood. Special thanks to John Mayer, Faryal Ganjehei, Jeremy Nielsen and Jeff Butler of Henson Recording Studios, Thomas Mikusz and Chris Galasso of White Bear PR, Kaeleah Isaac, and production coordination by Kyle Bales.Score: The Podcast is presented by Vienna Symphonic Library. Check out Vienna Symphonic Library’s collection of innovating libraries and samples — including their flagship Synchron Series, recorded at Vienna Synchron Stage, where hit films and shows for HBO, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, 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

Superstar composers John Murphy and David Fleming finally enter the same room (you read that correctly) after an unusual but groundbreaking experience co-composing the score for James Gunn’s SUPERMAN. How John’s electric guitar-focused approach (he writes themes on a zany guitar he named Ned Flanders) harnessed the majesty of John Williams’ iconic theme — and why the trailer debut was nerve racking to see if the world would accept his “version” of it. Also, how his precious guitar themes (28 Days Later, Sunshine) helped prep for how to treat this film with the sound needed. David and John discuss their breakthroughs in film composing — an internship leading to working with Hans Zimmer on The Lion King. Blue Planet II and Top Gun: Maverick — and a book titled “How To Write A Film Score” which was promptly discarded for a few pints. The duo also discuss their unique place in the massive re-launch of the DC Universe’s first film — tonally a new direction that called for embracing the campiness a little more, but also the authenticity. How John’s music was critical to filming, and later how David navigated a final push to expand the film’s musical scope thematically. Also, Squirrelgate. Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader at Igloo Studios in Burbank. Special thanks to the team at Igloo for making this episode possible!Score: The Podcast is presented by Vienna Symphonic Library. Check out Vienna Symphonic Library’s collection of innovating libraries and samples — including their flagship Synchron Series, recorded at Vienna Synchron Stage, where hit films and shows for HBO, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, 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.comVideo Timecodes0:00 ‘Superman’1:39 John Williams’ Theme4:09 Show Open5:06 Vienna Symphonic Library7:02 “How To Write A Film Score”9:10 David’s start with Hans Zimmer12:00 John’s start with Guy Ritchie and Danny Boyle14:00 ’28 Days Later’ Theme Re-Use17:24 ‘Sunshine’19:45 Building from an existing theme22:40 Back part of the Williams theme23:50 John’s early music & James Gunn29:00 David onboarding ‘Superman’32:15 Score vs. record tracks34:00 Finding the tone40:40 Deadline to finish43:10 Sacredness of John Williams’ theme45:20 Trailer release hype47:56 Guitar’s American influence49:54 Ned Flanders52:00 Squirrel rescue & Squirrelgate55:45 Three things1:02:00 Ennio Morricone’s brilliance1:07:40 VSL Synchron Series1:09:26 VSL ‘Forrest Gump’ Demo

Oscar and Grammy-winning songwriter and composer Finneas O’Connell breaks down his journey into film composing and working with Oscar winning director Alfonso Cuarón on the hit miniseries DISCLAIMER. Finneas dives into his work with Billie Eilish and how it led to meeting Cuarón, the frightening first steps and self doubt of getting started (VENGEANCE and THE FALLOUT), and how his album FOR CRYIN’ OUT LOUD came together so fast with a “jam session” model of musical collaborators. Plus, the backstory of submitting a 007 James Bond theme song for NO TIME TO DIE, and how he eventually found out that he and Billie Eilish got the gig and began working with Hans Zimmer. And why he is eager to collaborate with Rihanna and the band Cake.Plus, Finneas’ most memorable experience performing on tour with Billie Eilish (post-hurricane in Mexico City without any access to power), and how Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ THE SOCIAL NETWORK opened his eyes to what scoring could be.Interview by Kenny Holmes and Matt Schrader. Production coordination by Kyle Bales.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 — 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.