Hollywood composer Paul Leonard-Morgan talks Glasgow talent

Paul Leonard-Morgan graduated from The Royal Conservatoire in 1995 and was thrust into the heart of Glasgow's 90s music scene.

He told the Glasgow Times: "There was a real buzz about the music scene - there always is at different times in different cities, but there was something about Glasgow in the late 90s.

"Texas, Mogwai, Arab Strap, Snow Patrol, Belle and Sebastian, Simple Minds."

Paul, who was renting a small room in the back of the iconic CaVa Sound Studios (then on Bentick Street) to make TV themes, started doing string arrangements for the bands.

He said: "We didn't really know what we were doing, we were just starting out.

"But it was such a buzzy time in the Glasgow music scene and that was the only studio so everyone was in there.

"I'd always liked the idea of doing film music, and the film guys like the fact that I was working with the bands, and vice versa."

Paul went on to win a Scottish BAFTA for his first film score on Reflections upon the Origin of the Pineapple (2000).

In 2011, he made his Hollywood debut with the groundbreaking score for Limitless starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro.

"I remember sitting in the studio in Glasgow and Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, and Abbie Cornish were looking down the screen at me.

"It must have been Christmas 2010 and I couldn't believe it, just me in Glasgow, it was so cool."

After the score went to number one, Paul's career changed and he eventually moved with his family to Los Angeles.

He went on to do a number of outstanding projects, such as partnering with legendary composer Philip Glass on the score for Tales from the Loop and composing the music for the video game Cyberpunk 2077.

But travelling back to Glasgow when he can, Paul is determined to make his dream career more accessible to other musicians in and around the city.

He said: "I'm fiercely loyal to Glasgow and I'm always trying to get work to come back here.

"There is a really thriving film and TV scene and I always get asked about Scottish composers.

"If we're filming here and doing post-production here, why aren't we doing the music here?"

Paul launched a mentorship programme for the next generation of composers, selecting up-and-comer Scott Twynholm to compose the score for the BBC documentary Murder Trial with him.

He also makes sure to visit students at the Conservatoire when in Glasgow to offer advice and guidance on breaking into the film industry.

He said: "I want people in Glasgow to know that you can do this as a career. 

"It's never felt like a job, but you can put a roof over your head by following your passion without moving out of the city.

"There is so much talent here, and if you want to be a composer for video games, animation, TV, or films, you can do it from here."