A collection of film score works composed by Stephen O'Connell. While he spans many different genres and styles, and often has a multi-genre approach to composition that sees many cross overs within the pieces themselves, the hallmark of his works are typically simple, but dramatic melodies in vast soundscapes, always creating tension and drama through subtlety and finesse.

Stephen O’Connell | Film Scores

A collection of all works by Stephen O'Connell.

Stephen O'Connell | Portfolio of Complete Works

Original film score and sound design for Andrew Huang's Spacetime trailer. Available from his website or through The Cue Tube.

Spacetime Title Sequence for Andrew Huang's Mission (2021)

Demoing my latest library for Pianobook, MelloSaw, this piece took me in quite a different direction than I intended, but I'm pleasantly surprised. While it isn't the retro 80s synth cinematic piece I wanted to demo for this library, it is a great example of how you can use it within your own musical style. It has a lot of flexibility built in. 

DOWNLOAD MELLOSAW FOR FREE: <Link coming soon, awaiting upload to Pianobook>

The MelloSaw Patches used in this demo track include: 

- Distorted pitch bending lead that enters halfway through. 
- Main arpeggiated line throughout the piece. 
- A string synth patch faded in and out in the first half of the piece. 
- A tape brass synth patch in the final stages of the piece. 
- A heavily distorted pitch bending riser and drop at the start and middle of the piece (layered with other elements). 
- A sparkly tape warped and delayed background texture in the first half of the piece, with automation on the tape delay's time and feedback controls. 

Other library uses include: 

- Evolution Sounds: Bowed Cello and Violin
- Strezov Samples: Freya Choir
- Heavyocity: Symphonic Destruction Braams
- Native Instruments: Rise and Hit, Battery, Action Strikes
- Waldorf Synth STVC (Hardware)

Photo Credit: Michael Olsen @mganeolsen via Unsplash

Enigmatic Waves (2022)

My entry to the Berlin International Film Score Competition, a piece inspired by the changes in the story, from arid desert planet to a beautiful oasis. The changes can be felt in the music and it reflects both the wonder and the sadness in the story.

Genesis - Berlin International Film Score Competition (2022)

AWARD - 3rd Place Prize

This is Stephen O’Connell’s submission to the incredible #scorerelief2022 film score competition, hosted by The Cue Tube. Thank you to The Cue Tube team for providing not one, but two different films to score! It’ is the competition with a heart, so make sure you visit the fundraiser page to support In Place of War and the incredible work they do! 

WATCH THE VIDEO: 
SUPPORT THE CHARITY: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/scorerelief2022 

A note from the composer: 

This was an incredible challenge and a great way to branch out, away from hybrid orchestration and into a more textural score landscape. Not one to do things by halves, I committed to the brief’s enthusiasm for music that bordered on sound design, where melody takes a back seat. I let the dialogue’s natural three phrases guide my storyline and tried to focus on creating a mood, guiding your feeling towards the script as we move through the clip. 

While I’ll doubt it will wind awards for its technical finesse, lyrical nature or complexity, I believe it conjures the atmosphere needed, allowing the dialogue to shine through and land its important message on the audience. My score is merely there to enhance that journey and I utilised harmonic shifts and dynamic swells to create the tension and vibe needed to support that message. With a focus on pointillistic orchestration, it builds a melody from fragments of instruments in the background, but lets the swells and textures take hold and dominate the soundscape.

I Catch You - Score Relief 2022 Film Score Competition (2022)

Apricity... Feeling the warmth of the sun in winter. How fitting for the feeling and mood of this track. 

The idea of this track was generated using Kaleidoskye, a new sample library I've developed, free on Pianobook. It is a sparkling, swarm library of delayed guitar textures, a great pad and atmospheric tool for media scoring. Check out the link below. 

KALEIDOSKYE: Link pending availability on Pianobook. Will be updated soon. 

Photo: Alain via Unsplash.

Apricity (2022)

The Legend of Vox Machina lives on in a new Amazon Prime series! This is my take on how I would approach writing a main theme to an animated action series like this.

Legends (2022)

This is my submission to the Vocalise 3 Rescore Competition by Heavyocity. You can check out the video here: https://youtu.be/m72BlFCKtU4

Breath of Life (2022)

Entered as part of the 2022 Spitfire Audio Scoring Competition. Check out the full submission here: https://youtu.be/46c_osKKzaY

Bridgerton - Spitfire Audio Scoring Competition (2022)

Signals is a short film clip provided by Heavyocity for their Foundations Competition. This piece was made entirely with their free Foundations instruments, bar the percussion line.

Signals (2023)

Score Relief 2021, hosted by The Cue Tube, provided me with an open slate when scoring to the short animation from Blender Foundation, titled Spring. With such a focus on the dramatic journey this young woman has to go through to drag her land out of winter and into spring, it gave me a chance to explore a more textural score, with a slightly dark and mysterious edge. With all creative decisions entirely down to me, I chose to embody the wonder and mystical nature of the ritual and go down a different path than others may have travelled with their scores.

I Catch You - Score Relief 2022 Film Score Competition (2022)

Stephen O'Connell | Composer