1. Give us a little background on yourself, where did you come from and how did you get involved in scoring films?

I started playing keyboards when I was 16 back in Ottawa, Canada. Just a few months after I started playing keyboards, I joined a rock band. For the next 20 years, I played in rock bands and played in many, many bars. We usually played stuff like Zeppelin, Stones, Foreigner, Deep Purple, Guns’n’Roses and lots of blues.

 In 2001, I released my first CD and in 2003 I released my second CD.  Neither sold well, but most people told me I should be writing music for movies. And so here I am…scoring movies.

2. Tell us about your recent / future projects.

One of the funniest films I’ve scored this year was The Dork of the Rings (http://www.dorkoftherings.com). It’s a hilarious parody of The Lord of the Rings. It was a very ambitious orchestral score since I had to parody the real score in the LOTR.

 The Goal (http://www.thegoal-movie.com) is a drama I scored about two months ago. It’s based on the true story of a man who was training for the 2006 Olympics and broke his neck. He became a paraplegic and started playing Quad Rugby (aka Murderball).

 And, of course, Slaughter Party was hilarious!

3. Who has been your most influential film composer?

Probably Hans Zimmer for his powerful scores, James Horner for his emotional scores and Danny Elfman for his “other-worldly” music. Oh, and The Spice Girls for their deeply-moving music.

4. Which genre of film do you prefer composing for?

I’ve always been a huge horror/suspense fan, so that’s the genre I usually work in. Powerful dramas are fun too. I avoid sappy romantic comedies like the plague…unless Pinhead makes a guest appearance.

5. What do you think about the independent film industry today?

It’s extremely healthy – so many people can make a technically good movie.  But a movie with a good original story is still a rare thing.

6. What's the biggest problems in the movie industry today?

There’s too many damn composers! Lol! And it’s too commercial now – the story takes second seat to sales figures.

7. Do you have advice for up-and-coming film composers?

Learn your craft well. Learn the business side of things. And learn how not to take rejected music for a film/cue personally.

8. What has been your favorite project so far?

The Dork of the Rings and The Shunned (http://www.drippingdead.com)  (a western thriller).

9. When it's all said and done, what 3 things would you like for people to remember about you?

My good looks, my extreme talent, and my good looks.

Movie poster from "The Reaper" Enigma Films 2004

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From "Lunacy" by Dripping Dead Productions

"Dork of the Rings"

Clips from "Zombiegeddon" by Chris Watson

Mark D'Errico's album "Out Of Bounds" 2000

"The Janitor" movie poster

 1) Hollywood – egos, cell phones, fake breasts

2) Your biggest regret – not starting to score movies earlier on

3) Favorite director you’ve worked with – It’s a tie – Chris Watson and Chris Downes (it must be a “Chris” thing)

4) Biggest Prick in Hollywood – there’s pricks in Hollywood??? Seriously??? I always thought everyone there was so caring, loyal, honest and loving….and big-breasted…with cell phones…..

5) Biggest break-through moment for you – learning how to score for orchestras

6) Biggest influences – Rick Wakeman (keyboardist for Yes), Hans Zimmer

7)Toxic Shock TV, (shameless plug)- How dare you plug your damn company in the middle of MY interview!

8) You can only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life. Which 3- Dude, Where’s My Car?, The Brady Bunch Reunion, Rescue from Gilligan’s Island (why these movies never won Oscars, I’ll never know)

9) You can only listen to 3 music cd's the rest of your life. Which 3- Dark Side of the Moon, Zeppelin 4, any Stevie Ray Vaughn CD

10) Biggest joke in Hollywood- man, there’s so many…do I really have to pick just one? Lol!

11) Pisses you off – arrogant people who think they know everything.

12) Makes you happy – finishing a score and the director raves on about how much he/she loves it