Bear McCreary
Bear McCreary | |
---|---|
hurdy gurdy, percussion | |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | La La Land Records, Sparks & Shadows |
Website | bearmccreary |
Bear McCreary (born February 17, 1979) is an American musician and composer of film, television, and video game scores based in
McCreary has been nominated for an
Early life and education
McCreary was raised in
He is a classically trained pianist and self-taught
McCreary went to USC Thornton School of Music at the encouragement of Elmer Bernstein, becoming his protégé and graduating in 2002.
Career
Television
Battlestar Galactica and Caprica
In 2003, McCreary worked under primary composer
McCreary composed for the Battlestar Galactica prequel series
Human Target
McCreary provided the score for the series Human Target (based on the comic book of the same name). The pilot episode and main theme score had been recorded with a full orchestra.[11] The series has the distinction of having one of the largest orchestras on television.
The score to the finale of season one, "Christopher Chance", used the largest orchestra ever assembled for episodic television, and he took the opportunity to rerecord the main title theme with a new orchestration with this larger ensemble.
In July 2010, he received his first Emmy nomination for the Human Target main title.[12]
In a post on his blog on July 25, 2010, McCreary announced the new creative leadership brought in for season two had not asked him to return for it, and he would be leaving the series.[13]
Black Sails
The opening title sequence for Black Sails was composed by McCreary with a backing sea shanty inspired theme. It accurately features an instrument of the period in the form of the hurdy-gurdy.[citation needed]
Outlander
McCreary has composed the score for all seasons of Outlander. The main title was sung by his long time collaborator and partner, Raya Yarbrough.[citation needed]
In 2015, McCreary was nominated for an Emmy for the pilot Outlander episode "Sassenach" (S01E01; 2014-08-09).[citation needed]
Other series
During
On July 15, 2013, McCreary announced that he would compose the score for ABC's series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.[16] On September 4, 2015, McCreary released the official Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. soundtrack publicly.[17]
McCreary served as orchestral producer for the rock opera Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem airing on Adult Swim on October 27, 2013. This is a continuation of the Metalocalypse universe following the band Dethklok. The music features a 50-piece orchestra. The soundtrack was released on October 29, 2013.[18]
McCreary also composed the score for the television series Snowpiercer which premiered on TNT May 17, 2020. Snowpiercer was also distributed online via Netflix.[19]
The score for the Masters of the Universe: Revelation series on Netflix was composed by McCreary[20]
McCreary composed the theme and music for the television series Foundation, an Apple TV+ series adapted from Isaac Asimov's novels. The Season 1 soundtrack was released on September 24, 2021.[21]
The following year, he composed the score for the Amazon Prime Video fantasy television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.[22] McCreary, who wrote the score over a period of 9 months, has been a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien since reading The Hobbit aged 10. He called the job "a dream come true".[23]
Films
McCreary worked on several films providing additional music and conducting for My Baby's Daddy and Johnson Family Vacation before striking off on his own and scoring Rest Stop and Wrong Turn 2: Dead End, both direct to video.
After working with Shawn Papazian on Rest Stop: Don't Look Back, the sequel to Rest Stop. McCreary made his theatrical film debut with Step Up 3D[24]
Following Step Up 3D, he scored three films directed by Joe Lynch, Chillerama, Knights of Badassdom and Everly. Everly's soundtrack included a duet McCreary sang with his wife, Raya Yarbrough.
McCreary has only worked with a few directors multiple times: Christopher Landon on three films, Happy Death Day, Happy Death Day 2U and Freaky; and director McG twice on Rim of the World and The Babysitter: Killer Queen.
Other notable film scores include Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie, 10 Cloverfield Lane, The Cloverfield Paradox, Child's Play, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
McCreary's latest feature scores include Ava, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, Freaky and Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank.
In June 2023, McCreary replacing[clarification needed] Thomas Newman as a score composer in the latest upcoming film The Last Voyage of the Demeter, directed by André Øvredal.
Video games
McCreary made an eight-bit rendition of the Dark Void theme, which was, originally, an April fools joke. However, the theme was used for the prequel, Dark Void Zero.[25] He composed all the songs in an eight-bit fashion by connecting the wires on an actual NES console and cartridge to create authenticity.
He arranged James Rolfe's
McCreary also performed with his orchestra live at
In 2021, McCreary composed the score for Call of Duty: Vanguard.[29]
The Singularity
In February 2024, McCreary announced that a concept album titled The Singularity would be released in May by Sparks & Shadows Records and Mutant. Co-written and co-produced by McCreary’s brother, Brendan McCreary, who also contributes lead vocals to eight songs, the album features performances by
Personal life
McCreary married singer and songwriter Raya Yarbrough in 2010. They have collaborated on the music of Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, Defiance, Da Vinci's Demons, among other projects.[30][31] Their daughter Sonatine, named after the musical term sonatina, was born on June 2, 2014.[32]
Influences
McCreary credits composers Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein, Danny Elfman, Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Basil Poledouris, and Shirley Walker as being key to his growing up adoring film music. They were his heroes.[33]
Works
Films
Year | Title | Director | Distributor | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | My Baby's Daddy | Cheryl Dunye | Miramax Films
|
Film score conducted by Richard Gibbs. |
Johnson Family Vacation | Christopher Erskin | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
Television
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2004–2009 | Battlestar Galactica | 71 episodes |
2007–2012 | Eureka | 32 episodes |
2008–2009 | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | 31 episodes Terminator themes by Brad Fiedel |
2009–2010 | Trauma | 20 episodes |
Caprica
|
19 episodes | |
2010 | Human Target | 12 episodes |
2010–2022 | The Walking Dead | 177 episodes Composed with Sam Ewing ( season 11 )
|
2011 | The Cape | 10 episodes |
2012 | Day Break | 5 episodes |
Holliston | 17 episodes | |
Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome
|
10 episodes | |
2013 | Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem | Composed with Brendon Small |
2013–2015 | Defiance | 38 episodes |
Da Vinci's Demons | 28 episodes | |
2013–2020 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | 136 episodes Composed with Jason Akers (Season 7) |
2014 | Intruders | 8 episodes |
Constantine | 13 episodes | |
2014–2017 | Black Sails | 38 episodes |
2014–present | Outlander | 83 episodes |
2016 | Damien | 10 episodes The Omen themes by Jerry Goldsmith |
Black Mirror | Episode: "Playtest" | |
2016–2017 | Chance | 20 episodes |
2017–2018 | Electric Dreams | 3 episodes |
2018 | Into the Dark | Episode: "Pooka" |
2019–2022 | See | 24 episodes |
2020–2022 | Snowpiercer | 30 episodes |
2021 | Masters of the Universe: Revelation | 10 episodes |
2021–present | Foundation | 20 episodes |
2022–present | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | 8 episodes The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power themes by The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (soundtrack)
|
2022 | The Witcher: Blood Origin | 4 episodes |
2023 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | 8 episodes |
2024 | Halo | 8 episodes |
Video games
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2010 | Dark Void Zero | |
Dark Void | ||
2011 | SOCOM 4 U.S. Navy SEALs | |
2012 | Moon Breakers | |
2013 | Defiance | |
2015 | Assassin's Creed Syndicate: Jack the Ripper | |
2018 | God of War | |
League of Legends | Ryze: Call of Power | |
2020 | Star Wars: Tales From the Galaxy's Edge | With Joseph Trapanese & Danny Piccione |
2021 | Call of Duty: Vanguard | |
2022 | God of War Ragnarök | Also plays the role of Ræb |
2023 | Forspoken | With Garry Schyman |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Battlestar Galactica | Nominated |
2006 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Battlestar Galactica | Nominated |
2007 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Battlestar Galactica | Nominated |
2008 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Battlestar Galactica | Nominated |
2009 | ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Television Series | Eureka | Won |
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Caprica
|
Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Battlestar Galactica | Won | |
The Streamy Awards for Best Original Music in a Web Series | Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy | Nominated | |
2010 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
|
Human Target | Nominated |
2011 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Human Target | Won |
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media | Dark Void | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for a Television Series | Human Target | Won | |
2012 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media | SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs
|
Nominated |
2013 | ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Television Series | The Walking Dead | Won |
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Da Vinci's Demons | Nominated | |
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
|
Da Vinci's Demons | Won | |
Online Film & Television Association for Best Music in a Series | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
2014 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
|
Black Sails | Nominated |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Main Title - TV Show/Digital Streaming Series | Black Sails | Nominated | |
2015 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series | Outlander: Sassenach | Nominated |
2016 | International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television | Outlander | Nominated |
ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for TV Composer of the Year | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ,Black Sails,Damien ,Da Vinci's Demons ,Outlander ,The Walking Dead | Won | |
World Soundtrack Awards for Discovery of the Year | 10 Cloverfield Lane , The Boy | Nominated | |
World Soundtrack Awards for Television Composer of the Year | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ,Black Sails,Damien ,Da Vinci's Demons ,Outlander ,The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Score - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film | 10 Cloverfield Lane | Nominated | |
2017 | ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for TV Composer of the Year | Nominated | |
2018 | The Game Awards 2018 – Best Score / Music | God of War | Nominated |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Score — Video Game | God of War | Nominated | |
2019 | D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition[34] | God of War | Won |
NAVGTR Awards for Best Original Dramatic Score, Franchise[3]
|
God of War | Won | |
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Saturn award for Best Music | Godzilla: King of the Monsters | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media | God of War | Won | |
British Academy Games Award for Music[3] | God of War | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Choral Composition | God of War | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Instrumental | God of War | Nominated | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Music in a Casual/Social Game | God of War | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Music of the Year | God of War | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Cinematic/Cutscene Audio | God of War | Won | |
Etna Comics International Film Festival for Best Original Soundtrack | God of War | Nominated | |
Reel Music Awards for Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Feature | Godzilla: King of the Monsters | Won | |
2020 | Movie Music UK Awards for Composer of the Year | Won | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film | Godzilla: King of the Monsters | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Drama Film | The Professor and the Madman | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Film Composer of the Year | Won | ||
2021 | International Film Music Critics Association Award for Film Composer of the Year | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Film | Animal Crackers | Nominated | |
2022 | International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media | Call of Duty Vanguard | Nominated |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Television Series | Foundation | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Television Series | Masters of the Universe: Revelation | Won | |
BloodGuts UK Horror Awards for Best Soundtrack/Score | Freaky | Nominated | |
The Game Awards 2022 – Best Score and Music | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Song — Video Game | God of War Ragnarök ("Blood Upon The Snow") | Won | |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Score — Video Game | God of War Ragnarök | Nominated | |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Score — TV Show/Limited Series | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Nominated | |
Reel Music Awards for Overall Score of the Year | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
Reel Music Awards for Original Score for a Television Series | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Main Theme | Call of Duty Vanguard | Nominated | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Cinematic & Cutscene Audio | Call of Duty Vanguard | Nominated | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Physical Soundtrack Release | Call of Duty Vanguard | Nominated | |
2023 | Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media | Call of Duty: Vanguard | Nominated |
D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition[35] | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
British Academy Games Award for Music | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
NAVGTR Awards for Best Original Dramatic Score, Franchise[3]
|
God of War Ragnarök | Nominated | |
NAVGTR Awards for Best Song, Original or Adapted[3]
|
God of War Ragnarök | Nominated | |
Game Audio Network Guild Music of the Year | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Song | God of War Ragnarök ("Blood Upon the Snow") | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Main Theme | God of War Ragnarök ("God of War Ragnarök") | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Soundtrack Album | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Creative and Technical Achievement in Music | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
Game Audio Network Guild Best Cinematic/Cutscene Audio | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Score of the Year
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composer of the Year
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composition of the Year
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ("Galadriel") | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Best Original Score for an Animated Film
|
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composition of the Year
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ("Númenor") | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composition of the Year
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ("Sailing Into the Dawn") | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for Television | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards for Outstanding Score For Television
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Nominated | |
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards for Outstanding Original Score for Interactive Media
|
God of War Ragnarök | Nominated | |
ASCAP Composers' Choice Award for Television Score of the Year | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Nominated | |
ASCAP Composers' Choice Award for Video Game Score of the Year | God of War Ragnarök | Won | |
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Main Title Theme – TV Show/Limited Series | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | Nominated | |
Movie Music UK Awards for Score of the Year | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
Movie Music UK Awards for Best Original Score for Television | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Won | |
Movie Music UK Awards for Composer of the Year | Nominated | ||
2024 | Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media | God of War Ragnarök | Nominated |
Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album | God of War Ragnarök (Original Soundtrack) | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media | God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Horror/Thriller Film | The Last Voyage of the Demeter | Nominated | |
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composer of the Year
|
Nominated |
References
- ^ "67th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners". Television Academy. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- ^ Weisman, Jon. "LIVE From the Creative Arts Emmys". Variety. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "BAFTA Games Awards winners 2019". www.bafta.org. March 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ "On Bear McCreary's bookshelf:". The Seattle Times. March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ McCreary, Bear (October 13, 2011). ""I Don't Want to Die a Virgin" Music Video!". BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Relyea, Kie (January 12, 2005). "Score for the Stars: Bellingham High grad now composes for 'Battlestar Galatica'". The Bellingham Herald. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017 – via BearMcCreary.com.
- ^ McCreary, Bear (June 7, 2006). "ScoreKeeper interviews Battlestar Galactica's Bear McCreary!!!". Interviewed by ScoreKeeper. AintItCool.com. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ a b "Biography". BearMcCreary.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (June 22, 2008). "Sepinwall on TV: Michael Giacchino and Bear McCreary, score keepers". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
- ^ Ryan, Maureen (June 16, 2008). "'Battlestar Galactica' provides some Earth-shattering 'Revelations'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 29, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
- ^ McCreary, Bear (July 25, 2009). "Human Target Screens Today". BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Burlingame, Jon (July 8, 2010). "Emmy Music Nominations Announced". FilmMusicSociety.org. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- ^ McCreary, Bear (July 25, 2010). "I Am Leaving 'Human Target'". BearMcCreary.com.
- Ugo.com. UGO Entertainment. Archived from the originalon July 27, 2010.
- Zap2it.com. Archived from the originalon August 28, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ Boucher, Geoff. "'Agents of SHIELD': Clark Gregg's 'commanding presence' calls the tune for composer Bear McCreary". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Original Soundtrack Album)". Amazon. September 4, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (October 17, 2013). "Dethklok, 'Blazing Star' – Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire.com. Townsquare Media. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ "Bear McCreary Scoring TNT's 'Snowpiercer' TV Series". filmmusicreporter. Film Music Reporter. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Kevin Smith Reacts to Masters of the Universe: Revelations Score". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Foundation: Season 1, Lakeshore Records". Soundtrack.net. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) TV Series". Soundtrack.net. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "In 'Rings of Power', Bear McCreary Scored the Show of His Childhood Dreams". Esquire. September 15, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ Yamato, Jen (July 2, 2010). "Exclusive: 'Step Up 3D' Billboard Art Premiere!". Cinematical.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ^ Diener, Matt (April 2011). "Interview with Bear McCreary (April 2011)". Squareenixmusic.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ Napolitano, Jayson (December 16, 2010). "Bear McCreary Vs. The Angry Video Game Nerd: A Christmas Special". Original Sound Version. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- IGN.com. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ Santa Monica Studio [@SonySantaMonica] (November 8, 2022). "#GodofWarRagnarok composer @bearmccreary adds a new credit to his name. Tomorrow, on November 9th, you'll not only be able to hear Bear's incredible score throughout your adventure – you'll also be able to meet him in-game! Introducing Ræb 🎵" (Tweet). Retrieved November 9, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Tucker, Jake (August 19, 2021). "'Call Of Duty: Vanguard' composer Bear McCreary discusses "raw and exposed" soundtrack". NME. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ McCreary, Bear (February 24, 2009). "I'm Getting Married!!". BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Malibu Wedding Photographer". Archived from the original on September 5, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ McCreary, Bear (June 11, 2014). "Sonatine Yarbrough McCreary". BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Barnett, Barbara (July 29, 2016). "A Conversation with Outlander Composer Bear McCreary". Original Sound Version. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
- ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War]]". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War Ragarök". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
External links
- Bear McCreary at IMDb
- Official website
- MAFgest 2016 interview
- Audio Interview on GeeksOn!
- "Of Duduks and Dylan: Negotiating Music and the Aural Space in Battlestar Galactica", by Eftychia Papanikolaou; chapter in Cylons in America: Critical Studies of Battlestar Galactica, edited by Tiffany Potter and C. W. Marshall, 224–236. New York and London: Continuum, 2007.
- Media related to Bear McCreary at Wikimedia Commons