Today we’d like to introduce you to John Hunter.
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always felt that music is the heartbeat of life, a universal language that tells stories beyond words. Born of Japanese and German descent, I grew up immersed in a beautifully diverse musical world. From a young age, I was surrounded by an eclectic mix of influences—traditional Japanese melodies, classical German compositions, and everything in between. This rich tapestry of sounds shaped my soul and ignited a lifelong passion for creating music that resonates.
My journey took a pivotal turn when I attended the Berklee College of Music, where I earned a degree in Film Scoring. Those years were transformative, equipping me with the tools to translate emotions into notes. After graduating, I dove into the fast-paced world of advertising as a freelance composer, refining my craft across a multitude of genres. Soon after, I moved to Dallas and became a partner in a hugely successful commercial music production company. Working with global giants like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Ford, Dodge, Anheuser-Busch, and American Airlines taught me the art of precision and adaptability. But it was my collaboration with Hasbro, scoring the animated film revivals of GI Joe, that became the key to unlocking a new chapter—music for film and television.
One of the proudest moments in my career came with scoring “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.” Directed by Brandon Oldenburg and William Joyce. This film, devoid of dialogue, relied entirely on my music to serve as its voice, carrying the story’s heart and emotion. When it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short, I was reminded of the profound power of music to speak when words cannot.
Another milestone was scoring “Silent” for Dolby Laboratories, a project designed to showcase the immersive experience of Dolby Atmos. Directed by Brandon Oldenburg and Limbert Fabian. Once again, with no dialogue to guide the narrative, my score became the film’s soul. The project earned five Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Music Direction and Composition, a humbling recognition of the work I pour my heart into.
During Covid, working remotely from my home studio in Dallas, I had the honor of scoring “Mr. Spam Gets a New Hat”, directed by William Joyce and produced by DNEG Animation. The film has been celebrated at numerous festivals, winning awards like “Best Animation” at NY Shorts International, “Best 3D Narrative Short” at SPARK Animation, “Best Animated Short” at Cleveland International Film Festival, and “Best Animation” at LA Shorts Festival. Each accolade feels like a reminder of why I do what I do—to create, connect, and inspire through sound.
Most recently, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cloud10 Studios on their latest animated Christmas Epic, “The Greatest Gift”. Helmed by industry veterans : Tracey Dispensa, Gary Trousdale, Tom Arnold, and Stuart Lowder, “The Greatest Gift” is destined to be a Christmas Classic.
My story is one of constant evolution, fueled by a deep love for storytelling through music. I’m grateful for every opportunity to collaborate with visionary creators and to bring emotions to life through my compositions. As I look ahead, I’m excited to keep exploring new sonic landscapes and sharing the magic of music with the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path of a musician is invariably fraught with challenges and struggles; I have yet to encounter a single artist for whom the journey has been effortless. Every musician, regardless of their stature or background, faces inevitable struggles. For me, the most formidable and persistent challenge lies in maintaining a positive outlook. It’s really easy to get down on yourself or get discouraged by rejection. In this business, you must have an innate sense of self-worth, preservation, and resilience. The reasons a composer secures or misses an opportunity are manifold, and often, talent is the least decisive factor. More frequently, it comes down to constraints of budget or timing—or a confluence of the two. Creating the music, in contrast, is the easy part.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With my many years and background in advertising and commercial music, I have developed a profound versatility in composing across a wide array of genres, from Classical to Tejano, Hip Hop to Folk. And everything in between. This adaptability proves invaluable in the realm of film scoring, where I’ve honed my ability to craft authentic soundscapes and sonic branding that transcend genre limitations. Moreover, I pride myself on being an approachable and collaborative partner. As a composer, it can be all too easy to feel wounded by criticism, but over the years, I have cultivated resilience, learning to separate personal feelings from professional feedback. My approach centers on asking insightful questions and empathizing with the director’s vision, ensuring that I truly step into their perspective.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Tenacity. Tenacity beats talent any day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnnyhuntman.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/huntboy
- LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/johnnyhuntman
