Composer
Website: sherrichung.com
Most recent: Gremlins: The Wild Batch
Classically trained in piano with an extensive background singing in choir at church and school, composer Sherri Chung was first struck by the power of music in visual media when she watched and heard the score for 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. “The nice thing about being classically trained in music is, you’re aware from an early age of who wrote what, and that writing music for film or television can actually be a job.”
Chung is known today for her dynamic compositions across genres for film and television and helping shape modern scoring with projects like Based on a True Story, Happiness for Beginners, Found, and Riverdale. She is also a vocalist, songwriter, and pianist with credits in films like 65 and Heretic. Having worked extensively on live action projects, she found a new challenge in scoring for the animated series Gremlins. “With animation, the story often needs support from music, and I felt the weight of how important a role music would play. Plus, Gremlins is a well-known franchise filled with emotion, humor, and adventure. It was wonderful to explore all that with an orchestral palette, and I also got to incorporate elements of Chinese culture and music working with an erhu player.”
Chung advises anyone who wants to write music for film and television to seek an education—which doesn’t necessarily have to come from a school. She recommends participating in online workshops, taking advantage of YouTube videos, and watching television to learn how other contemporary composers are making music. “When it comes to composing, there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ but there are ways that are better, and learning that will help you hone your own skills and your own approach,” she says. She also recommends aspiring composers be as “experimental as possible” to find their creative voice and understand themselves as artists.
