John Gray is a Film Composer based in Sydney, Australia
He has written both Orchestral and Acoustic/Electronic scores for film - some of which have been Finalists and winners Internationally at Sundance, Montreal, Venice, Berlin, NYU, San Francisco(Mill Valley), St. Tropez, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney international film festivals.
Go Back to Where You Came From (SBS)
John is very proud to have written the music for this ground-breaking and visceral 3-Part documentary series on the plight of Refugees destined for Australia. Five Australians follow a refugee's journey in reverse, and challenge their ideas about this divisive topic. Directed by Ivan O'Mahoney, and produced by Cordell Jigsaw. See www.sbs.com.au/goback for more details.
Coffin Rock Theatrical Release
"Coffin Rock", Directed by Rupert Glasson (Real Thing), and produced by David Lightfoot (Wolf Creek). See www.coffinrockthemovie.com for more details. John wrote the score for this very thrilling feature.
'The Bet ' Wins Prix du Jury at St Tropez.
Directed by Mark Lee and Starring Matthew Newton, Aden Young and Sibylla Budd, this feature is a tale of ambitious love and love of ambition, set in the Emerald City of Sydney. For more info check out www.thebet.com.au
Beijing Olympics / Legs On The Wall
Currently creating two pieces for Beijing Olympics Principal Sponsor VISA, for the dance company 'Legs On The Wall'. These will be performed in Beijing during the Olympics www.legsonthewall.com.au
John Wins Best Original Song Written for the Screen ('The Bet') at the APRA/AGSC Screen Music Awards - made even more special by his close friend Caitlin Yeo winning as well. For more info check out www.apra.com.au/awards
'Constructing Australia' aired this month on ABC. One of a series of three documentaries, "Wire" describes the Australian side of the building of the first ever Telegraph Link that finally connected Australia through to London. For more info check www.filmaust.com.au/constructingaustralia
John was elected to the board of the Australian Guild of Screen Composers. He is looking forward to contributing to the wider needs of Screen Composers throughout Australia.
John Wins "Best Original Score" Award for 'Real Thing' at Sony Tropfest...
John won the award at this amazing event, in front of a 150,000-strong live audience. This wonderfully edgy and super-real thriller, directed by Rupert Glasson, also picked up the "Women in Film" Award which went to Rani Chaleyer.
'Checkpoint' wins at Montreal...'Checkpoint' won the prestigious Jury Prize at 2006 Montreal Film Festival. Ben Phelps accepted the award from the head of the International Jury, Kathy Bates. For more info check www.checkpointmovie.com
John has just finished composing for Alister Grierson's wonderful feature - 'Kokoda'. Kokoda tells the story of a small band of soldiers who are stranded behind enemy lines in Papua New Guinea in 1942. An incredibly human story, that examines the strong but inarticulate bonds between men in times of crisis. Check the official website at www.kokodathemovie.com
The European Union Film Award has been awarded to John Gray. John accepted the award from Luk Darras (Belgian Ambassador), Roger Camilleri (Senior EU Media Advisor) and Martin Armiger (Head of Screen Composition, AFTRS). John travelled to Belgium in October'05 to attend the Flanders International Film Festival, famous for it's specialisation in Music for the Screen.
The Australia Council for the Arts has awarded John Gray funding for a screen composition mentorship under Nigel Westlake.
A Screen Composition graduate of the National Film School of Australia (AFTRS), John has been mentored by some of Australia's most outstanding film composers, including Martin Armiger ('Thank God he Met Lizzy'), Nigel Westlake ('Babe') and Chris Gordon ('Master and Commander').
'Bomb' WINS three awards at Sony Tropfest -
Well, it was a great night in Sydney at the world's largest short film festival - at least for the cast and crew of Alistair Grierson's short - 'Bomb'. We're all very pleased that in front of a 130,000 strong live audience it won Best Comedy, Best Script and People's Choice awards out of nearly 800 entries.
His work is years of music history blended with a love of both Orchestral and high technology sound-production in all of its musical forms.
The Road Home, Director Kel Martin.
Won Best Film at International Documentary Competition Chicago,
Aired on ABC TV.
