Andrew Hewitt - Film & TV Composer

POSTERS

RESUMÉ

IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE

VILLAINS

OLD BOYS
WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE

A CROOKED SOMEBODY
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR

MOJAVE
BILL
THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT
THE SEA
THE DOUBLE
THE BRASS TEAPOT
SUBMARINE
CUCKOO

THE DIVIDE

FOUR HORSEMEN

Greg Jardin

Dan Berk, Rob Olsen
Toby MacDonald
Stacey Passon
Trevor White
Kasra Farahani
William Monahan
Richard Bracewell
Kyle Patrick Alvarez
Stephen Brown
Richard Ayoade
Ramaa Mosley
Richard Ayoade
Richard Bracewell
Katharine Round
Ross Ashcroft

Brittany O'Grady, Alycia Debnam-Carey
Kyra Sedgwick, Bill Skarsgård
Alex Lawther, Jonah Hauer-King
Crispin Glover, Alexandra Daddario
Rich Sommer, Ed Harris
James Caan, Logan Miller, Keir Gilchrist
Oscar Isaac, Mark Wahlberg, Walter Goggins
Mathew Baynton, Ben Willbond
Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller
Ciaran Hinds, Charlotte Rampling
Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska
Juno Temple, Michael Angarano
Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins, Paddy Considine
Richard E Grant, Tamsin Greig
Noam Chomsky
Joseph Stiglitz

SCORE TALES

THE DOUBLE

Psychological thriller "The Double", directed by the talented Richard Ayoade and inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky's novella, features Jesse Eisenberg in a dual role as both the timid Simon James and his charismatic doppelgänger, James Simon. Mia Wasikowska delivers a captivating performance as Hannah, the object of Simon's love. Set in a bleak, dystopian world the film explores the notions of true and false self and the struggle for identity.

My orchestral score took four chords, from Schubert’s Doppelgänger, and split them into echoing reflections of Simon/James’ split mind, battling with each other across the stereo field - from soaring solo violins to violent celli and bass. Solo harp with a halo of strings underlie Hannah, and an ensemble of vibes, flute and quartet paints Simon/James’ Switch of selves. Electronic tracks score Wallace Shawn’s office boss using fax, modem and dot matrix sounds, while the main theme reappears in onscreen 8-bit videogame music. {scroll horiz for more score tales}

MOJAVE

Intense crime thriller "Mojave" was directed by William Monahan, Oscar-winning screenwriter of “The Departed”. An exceptional cast features Oscar Isaac as a mysterious and dangerous drifter who crosses paths with a suicidal artist, played by Garrett Hedlund. The movie also stars Mark Wahlberg and Walton Goggins, adding spice to the gripping narrative. A tense, atmospheric exploration of existentialism, identity, and the darker aspects of human nature.

Scoring this film allowed me to create a dynamic musical landscape that captured the suspense, danger, and isolation of the desert setting, as well as the psychological turmoil of the characters. I experimented with a blend of gritty, menacing themes and more introspective, haunting melodies, mixing bass guitars and percussion with orchestra and low flutes, a throwback to Nineties thrillers, underscoring the tense standoffs and cat-and-mouse games that unfold between Issac and Hedlund.

THE SEA

Adapted by John Banville from his Man Booker Prize-winning novel, “The Sea” is a moving drama film directed by Stephen Brown. Starring the talented Ciarán Hinds, Charlotte Rampling, Rufus Sewell and Natascha McElhone, the film follows a man grieving the loss of his wife during a return to his childhood seaside town, while confronting a dark past.

For the soul of Ciarán Hinds’ Max, I chose a solo violin, beautifully brought to life by renowned concert violinist Hilary Hahn. To paint the ebb and flow of memory and the sea, I blended layers of instrumental and ethereal electronic elements with her effervescent playing, which emerged and faded alongside the beautiful cinematography. Staying in the film’s location for several weeks to compose the score, I felt truly embedded in Banville’s world, and moved by absorbing the powerful performances of the cast.

THE BRASS TEAPOT

The dark comedy film "The Brass Teapot", directed by Ramaa Mosley, and based on the comic book series, stars Juno Temple and Michael Angarano, a young married couple struggling to make ends meet. They discover a magical Brass Teapot that provides them with money, whenever they inflict pain on themselves. As the couple becomes increasingly greedy, they face moral dilemmas and confront the true cost of their newfound fortune.

The movie's thought-provoking blend of cheeky humor with unnerving darkness, allowed me to explore a variety of orchestral tones - from lighter, more whimsical and magical moments, to more intense, threatening themes and textures, as hostile guardians of the Brass Teapot close in on our bumbling couple. The score was recorded with an ensemble of wonderful players at Air Studios, and blended with electronic components by talented score mixer Nick Taylor, a frequent collaborator on many of my scores.

VILLAINS

The darkly comedic thriller "Villains", directed by the creative duo Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, stars Bill Skarsgård and Maika Monroe, as amateur criminals who, while on the run, break into a seemingly empty house - only to stumble on a dark secret hidden in the basement. The movie’s strong supporting cast includes Jeffrey Donovan and Kyra Sedgwick, brilliantly portraying the twisted homeowners. “So adorably eccentric that you don't ever want it to stop” (The Wrap).

"Villains" gave me an exciting blend of tension, humor, and unexpected twists, allowing my score to combine playful and mischievous elements with more classically suspenseful undertones. The orchestral landscape was designed to enhance the movie's rapidly shifting moods, with developing themes that reflect our characters' complex personalities and motivations. This was another exciting collaboration with Trevor White’s Starthrower Entertainment.

THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT

Psychological drama "The Stanford Prison Experiment", directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, is based on the famous real-life study conducted by Dr Philip Zimbardo in 1971: college students were assigned roles as prisoners and guards in a fake prison. The electric ensemble features Billy Crudup as Zimbardo, alongside an array of talent including Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan and Michael Angarano, powerfully capturing the escalating tension and loss of humanity.

Scoring Stanford allowed me to delve into a rich and emotionally charged soundscape, balancing a sense of foreboding and unease with the vulnerability and psychological turmoil experienced by the trapped characters. A fully electronic soundworld, incorporating vibes and tuned percussion, paid tribute to the story’s Seventies origins, while enhancing the film's immersive atmosphere and thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics and authority. Collaborating with Kyle and the exceptional cast on this captivating and unsettling film was truly an unforgettable experience.

SUBMARINE

The quirky coming-of-age comedy drama "Submarine" was the directorial debut of the multifaceted Richard Ayoade, who adapted Joe Dunthorne's novel about socially awkward teenager Oliver Tate, played by the talented Craig Roberts. The story revolves around his attempts to navigate the complexities of life while dealing with his parents' troubled marriage, brilliantly portrayed by Sally Hawkins and Noah Taylor.

Submarine’s poignant, witty version of adolescent love allowed me to homage New Wave orchestral scores, with a whimsical and nostalgic soundscape that flowed from Olicer’s mind. I used a variety of styles to play with lighthearted melodies and introspective tender themes, reflecting Oliver’s inner struggles. Collaborating with Richard Ayoade and the superb cast on this charming and touching film, one of my first features, was an absolute joy and I am proud to have been part of this memorable and heartwarming story. Recorded at Air Studios with The Composers Ensemble.

WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE

Gothic drama "We Have Always Lived in the Castle", directed by Stacie Passon, is based on Shirley Jackson's classic American novel. The story revolves around the reclusive Blackwood sisters, played by the mesmerizing Taissa Farmiga and Alexandra Daddario, who live in an isolated mansion with their disabled uncle, portrayed by Crispin Glover. Their lives are disrupted by the arrival of a distant cousin, charismatic Sebastian Stan, seeking to uncover the family's dark secrets.

Scoring this suspenseful and atmospheric exploration of paranoia, and family dynamics, was a dream delve into a rich and haunting musical landscape, dissonant, angular and disturbing. Combining eerie and mysterious themes with moments of solo piano warmth and vulnerability, enabled me to reflect the character’s shifting and complex emotions. I used a full orchestra with low solo woodwinds to paint this darkly enchanting and chilling story.

A CROOKED SOMEBODY

Character-driven thriller "A Crooked Somebody”, directed by Trevor White, stars the versatile Rich Sommer (Mad Men) as Michael Vaughn, a fraudulent psychic medium. Caught in a web of deceit, manipulation and danger, Michael tries to turn a kidnapping to his advantage. The talented supporting cast, including Clifton Collins and Ed Harris, adds depth and complexity to this intriguing, “highly enjoyable thriller” (Variety).

Crooked Somebody is a fascinating exploration of the human desire for redemption, recognition, and the lengths we go to achieve them. My orchestral score allowed me to create a compelling thriller genre soundscape, that mirrored increasingly tense atmospheres and Michael’s moral ambiguity. Mixing suspenseful and introspective cues with more aggressive pursuit tracks, I accelerated the size and power of textures, as the story grows both more gripping and thought-provoking.

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR

Suspenseful drama "The Good Neighbor", directed by Kasra Farahani, was a thrilling opportunity to score industry veteran James Caan (The Godfather). The film follows two tech savvy high school students, Keir Gilchrist and Logan Miller, who decide to prank their elderly neighbor. They set up an intricate system of cameras and devices to make him believe his home is haunted, only to discover that their actions have unforeseen consequences.

As the plot of Neighbor unravels, my score aimed to intensify the tension and create an eerie atmosphere, drawing the audience into the unfolding mystery. Blending electronic and acoustic elements, I performed and mixed the score to capture the story’s dark themes and the characters' disturbed emotional journeys. A stand-out scene of James Caan reminiscing on sweeter times called for a singularly tender and calming cue, alone in the darkness of the whole.

CUCKOO

Psychological thriller "Cuckoo” follows Polly, played by Laura Fraser, a reclusive and paranoid academic, working under the shadow of her supervisor Richard E Grant, who becomes suspicious that her seemingly perfect sister is hiding a dark secret. As the tension between them builds and Polly's mental state deteriorates, the audience is left questioning what is real and what is imagined.

For the score to Cuckoo I created a black and white sound for solo cello, string orchestra and harp. A mind on the edge of sanity, atmospheres of psychological tension and twisted unease, all required a chiaroscuro effect - real / notreal. I used imitations of the two-note birdcall, first on the high piercing cello, to ricochet staccato fear throughout the strings. The Composers Ensemble again provided world class performances. “One of the year's most stylistically coherent film scores” (Screen Archives Entertainment).

OLD BOYS

"Old Boys” is a charming coming-of-age film directed by Toby MacDonald. This modern retelling of the classic Cyrano de Bergerac follows the story of the awkward school student Amberson, played by the talented Alex Lawther, as he helps his handsome but dim-witted friend Winchester to win over the beautiful and intelligent Agnes. Set in picturesque countryside, the film captures the spirit of youth, love, and friendship with a humorous twist.

While crafting the orchestral score for this film I aimed for a nostalgic and warm atmosphere, blending orchestral and folky elements to evoke the tender and lighthearted feelings experienced by Amberson, Winchester and Agnes on their journey. Focusing on harps, piano, and strings, it was a continual delight to be part of the magical world of this “quirky appealing take on young love and the need to speak in your own voice” (Empire).

BILL

Adventure comedy "Bill," directed by Richard Bracewell and starring the talented ensemble cast of the BBC comedy troupe Horrible Histories, tells the fictional tale of William Shakespeare's lost years, before he became a renowned playwright. In this “crowd-pleasing treat” (Mark Kermode, Guardian), Mathew Baynton plays Bill as he leaves his family, to pursue his dreams in London. Inadvertently involved in a comical conspiracy to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I, Bill faces increasingly dangerous times.

Bill called for a classic, full orchestral score in the romping, joyful tradition of Eighties Spielberg/Lucas collaborations. Lively and whimsical cues combine historic instruments with modern orchestrations to reflect the ensemble’s playful tone and setting, and I created soaring romantic themes for Bill and his love, Anne Hathaway. I conducted a seventy-piece BBC Orchestra, which Nick Taylor mixed and mastered at Air Edel for Varese Sarabande.

THE DIVIDE

Composing the music for "The Divide," a thought-provoking feature documentary directed by Katharine Round, was a privilege. The film examines income inequality in the United States and United Kingdom, inspired by the bestselling book “The Spirit Level”. The Divide interweaves the personal stories of seven individuals from diverse backgrounds, shedding light on the consequences of the widening wealth gap and its impact on well-being and social cohesion.

Scoring The Divide allowed me to explore a number of sensitive responses to the vulnerability of these stories. With each story came a theme, a different musical tone, to evoke the emotions that I felt from each person. I tried to create a soundtrack that was both empathic and strong, underlining the film's urgent message while respecting the personal stories shared. It was an enlightening experience, and I'm honored to have been part of a project that sparks important conversations about the need for a more equitable society.

FOUR HORSEMEN

Scoring "Four Horsemen," the "eloquent, fast-moving documentary" (Guardian) directed by Ross Ashcroft, was a fascinating and unique opportunity. This compelling feature doc examines the global economic system and its impact on society, exploring root causes of social, economic, and ecological crises. Featuring interviews with renowned experts Noam Chomsky and Joseph Stiglitz, the film delves into the flaws of the financial system, resource exploitation and consumerism, and ultimately questions how we can create a more just and sustainable future.

From the pulsating, driving orchestral main titles theme, to varieties of world-music across the continents of this story, Horsemen allowed me to explore a great range of musical style and texture. I'm proud to have contributed to this timely exploration of the vast world we live in and the changes needed for a better tomorrow.

TRAILERS