John Joseph Wiater

Emotional Film Composer

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5 Reviews
John Joseph Wiater on SoundBetter

Specialty in combining electronic and orchestral elements through synth pads and arps, drones, and beautifully crafted piano playing. First project scored currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

Filmmakers, directors, and producers hire me for my ability tell stories through music. They recognize that I view my role as a true project team maker and co-filmmaker. We are here to tell a story and evoke an emotion through picture. I take extra care to understand the character's story arcs and recognize why the film is being made the way it is being made. I speak your language as a producer, director, and writer.

I am an expert in synthestration and creating a holistic piece of music for your visual media project. Advanced arranger, MIDI programmer, and synth designer.

With 8 film credits in the past year, I have established myself as a versatile hardworking composer able to empathize and understand with stories through music. My niche in combining electronic and orchestral elements through synths, drones, and beautifully crafted piano playing. A true professional running a film composing business and looking to develop long-term creative relationship with passionate filmmakers.

Genre specialties in sci-fi, dramedy, historical, family, drama, and fantasy.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

5 Reviews

Endorse John Joseph Wiater
  1. Review by Sergil Adams
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    by Sergil Adams

    John is a great talent and focused on his craft. He is also a great team player as well as an advocate for the films he works on and the talent behind them. Myself and the team on "ROY" found him easy to work with and a visionary in his own right. Definitely looking forward to working with him again and would highly recommend

  2. Review by C. Carter
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    by C. Carter

    Had a fantastic experience working with John in my award winning short film, How To Make Shepherd’s Pie. I discovered him by way of a track I fell in love with on his site, and then was further impressed by his approach to my piece, his knowledge in all areas of composition and his professionalism. Really just a wonderful collaboration and highly reccomend John.

  3. Review by Meghan AmRhein
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    by Meghan AmRhein

    John was so great to work with! Not only did I learn so much from him, but he was incredibly diligent and did such a great job at communicating my story through his music. It was a pleasure to work with someone who was so willing to take my vision and elevate it so much. John is such a kind soul and I would love to work with him again (as should anyone!).

  4. Review by Eilon Bennissan
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    by Eilon Bennissan

    My experience working with John was incredible. He was extremely accommodating and worked tirelessly to help get the result we wanted. He is not just a person who knows how to compose music but a person that knows how compose music that evokes emotion. He is able to recognize emotions within a scene and create harmony between picture and sound through his music. Aside from being a great talent, he is also a great person and genuinely a joy to work with. Very much looking forward to working with him again on future projects.

  5. Review by Matthew Michaud
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    by Matthew Michaud

    Based on my experience working with John I can say that he is truly a great composer. He hit every deadline and made my movie significantly better with his nuanced score.

Interview with John Joseph Wiater

  1. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  2. A: As you have read above, story, vision, and emotional goals are paramount in learning about a potential project. Once these core elements are discussed, I always want to ask my directors and producers about timeline!

  3. Q: How would you describe your style?

  4. A: I love describing my niche as "Intimate Ambient Orchestral". But each film is a special snowflake. Each film calls for a unique palette of sounds that are tailored for their needs.

  5. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  6. A: Listen. Perhaps that comes as a surprise, or comes off as a joke. But we must listen. It starts with the first phone call - listen to what the director or writer is passionate about. Listen to their vision, and then listen to that dialogue in every cue - that is your "lead vocal". Listen to make sure what you are writing is serving the scene and production as a whole.

  7. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  8. A: Like most professional composers, we are well-versed in various styles, moods, instruments, and genres of music. My particular niche and passion is in combing the orchestral worlds with modern electronics and ambient music production. I produce piano-based compositions and ambient music as an artist as well.

  9. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  10. A: Empathy. Kindness. Respect. Friendship. These are most important to me.

  11. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  12. A: Jazz and hip-hop producers. I have an itching to compose orchestral and ambient music with a backdrop of jazz and hip-hop influences.

  13. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  14. A: Understanding & Communication. The utmost importance to me is understanding your creative vision for the project. That is how we will make the best collective creative piece. I am a professional (but fun!) communicator and collaborator that aims to build authentic relationships in each project I work on.

  15. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  16. A: Emotion and emphasis on the story being told are what my scores bring the screen. As a composer, I am leaving an invitation to the audience to connect more with the overarching story of the film, or to empathize more (or less) with a particular emotion.

  17. Q: What's your typical work process?

  18. A: Story. Vision. Emotion. My work process is always rooted in understanding what the goals of the story are and what we are trying to convey as a creative team. My musical decisions are in response to that question.

  19. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  20. A: Like many composers, I work from a sound-treated dedicated studio space utilizing various virtual instruments and live instruments, with professional-grade hardware and software.

  21. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  22. A: The first composers that inspired me to follow win their footsteps were John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Thomas Bergerson, Thomas Newman, Lights & Motion, Explosions in the Sky, Trevor Morris, and JunkieXL. I

  23. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  24. A: My passion is feature length film scores in the character, dramedy, fantasy, and sci-fi genres. The opportunity to play a part in the storytelling process through music is what fuels my internal fire.

  25. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  26. A: I promise to serve the story you are telling.

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Time Pass by John Joseph Wiater

I was the Writer and Producer in this production

Terms Of Service

Revisions, turn-around time, and additional costs are on a per-project basis. We will be sure to connect via email and video to determine the path path forward.

GenresSounds Like
  • Alexandre Desplat
  • Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
  • Thomas Newman
Gear Highlights
  • Cubase Pro
  • UA Luna
  • Pro Tools
  • Ableton Live
  • Universal Audio
  • Apollo Hardware
  • Spitfire
  • Native Instruments
  • Heavyocity
  • Sonuscore
  • Arturia
  • Plugin Alliance
  • Kontakt
  • EastWest
  • Helix
  • TouchOSC
  • Platform Icon
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SoundBetter Deal

To be discussed on a per-project basis

  • Another Summer (and Winter, and Spring) of ScoreJul 21, 2022

    There have been 8 projects completed in the last year! Ranging from dramas, sci-fi, mental health, short docs -- all getting the score that works for that project. So important that each gets its own sound palette so that the film and music become one. 

  • Summer of ScoreAug 15, 2021

    What a spring and summer it's been so far: 3 shorts completed! A student film a-la "Mission Impossible meets The Incredibles", a crime-drama taking place on the Jersey Shore, and a love story about a homeless couple.


    Each had their own "+1" palette -- all based in the orchestra, with one having some extra piano/synth, and another incorporating acoustic guitar.
     

  • Current Featured Project: Feature Film Father/Son DramaSep 24, 2019

    I am so elated to be working on an upcoming feature taking place in my town of Philadelphia. A father/son drama with some mob implications. I could not put this script down, and have enjoyed working so much with the Director -- aligning on some classic score inspiration from Shawshank Redemption to Rocky to The Dark Knight.