DMF Episode 232 Film Composers Michelle Birsky and Kevin Henthorn Part 1 "You Need to Experience the Magic Behind Terminator Zero's Score!"

Welcome to the DMF. Where I try to find out what motivates people behind the scenes in the world of acting and entertainment. Today on the podcast I am talking to film composers: Michelle Birsky and Kevin Henthorn. They just scored the new Netflix series' Terminator: Zero. We talk about how they got started and beginning to score this daunting challenge of a legacy series. As always you can reach me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with my name Justin Younts. Thank you for listening and sit back and enjoy. Welcome to DMF. I'm Justin Younts. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with duo composers Kevin Henthorne and Michelle Bursky, who recently scored the highly anticipated Terminator Zero soundtrack. Their journey into film scoring is fascinating, as both have unique backgrounds in music and film. Kevin grew up in Connecticut and has been obsessed with film for most of his life, while Michelle hails from Freeport, Maine, and initially pursued songwriting before diving into scoring indie films. Together, they have crafted a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in their experiences. In our conversation, we explore their creative process, particularly how they approached the score for Terminator Zero. They share insights into their scrappy recording methods during the pandemic, where they utilized everyday objects to create unique sounds. This resourcefulness not only shaped the score but also instilled a newfound confidence in their abilities as composers. The duo discusses their inspirations, including the works of Johan Johansson and the emotional depth they aimed to achieve in their music. As we delve deeper, Kevin and Michelle reveal how they drew from the iconic scores of the original Terminator films while also striving to create something fresh and modern. They emphasize the importance of mood and atmosphere in their compositions, aiming to evoke feelings of isolation and foreboding. Their dedication to crafting a unique sound for Terminator Zero is evident, and they express excitement about the creative freedom they experienced during the project. Join us as we uncover the magic behind the music of Terminator Zero and learn how Kevin and Michelle's passion for film and music has led them to this remarkable opportunity. Whether you're a fan of the franchise or simply curious about the art of film scoring, this conversation is sure to inspire and captivate. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights into the world of film and music! 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:05 - Guest Introduction 00:00:28 - Guests' Background 00:00:49 - Guests' Interest in Film Scoring 00:02:01 - Guests' Musical Beginnings 00:03:52 - Discussion on Mother Android Score 00:07:54 - Discussion on Terminator Zero Score 00:13:19 - Influences and Inspiration 00:16:34 - Discussion on Terminator Two Score 00:17:03 - Incorporation of Real Instruments 00:17:35 - Approach to Writing the Score 00:17:53 - Reinvention of the Terminator Theme 00:18:14 - Creation of New Themes 00:18:34 - Conclusion On a side note, I apologize for the squeaky chair. Follow Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellebirsky/ Follow Kevin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinolkenhenthorn/ Follow Michelle on X: https://x.com/michellebirsky Follow Kevin on X: https://x.com/kevin_henthorn