For me, the work begins with a rough cut of the film. I can't do much with the script. I've tried to write music to a script prior to seeing the film, but I've found it turns out to be a waste of time.

I've always been very left of center and the radio never had much diversity and film did.

Composing demands a degree of isolation.

I guess I'd like to have my cake and eat it, too. I want to be known for having a recognizable style. I believe having your own personal identity is what makes you competitive. On the other hand, I would like to be versatile and be challenged to go in new directions.

Singer/songwriters spend two or three years making an album, and then it goes up for sale and everybody pirates it and you don't make any money. Whereas, writing a film score you still get presented with a paycheck.

Composers are in some ways the last frontier of musician that gets a paycheck for their musical services.

I work at home but average 15,000 to 18,000 miles per year on my Honda.