Filipe Leitão

If your strings sound “MIDI”… it’s usually not your harmony. It’s not even your library. It’s how the music is written and programmed. You can have great ideas — and still end up with something that feels flat, mechanical, or fake. The good news? Realistic strings don’t come from one trick. They come from a few very specific decisions. Let’s break them down. 1. Write Idiomatically for Strings (This Changes Everything) One of the biggest mistakes in MIDI writing: stacking chords like you would...

The Night Agent has become one of Netflix’s most gripping political thrillers — and honestly, it’s one of my favorite series in recent years. The writing is tight, the pacing never drags — and the music plays a huge role in that impact. Beneath the layers of conspiracy, betrayal, and relentless momentum lies a score that quietly drives the entire experience forward. But what really elevates it is the music. The score by Robert Duncan doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t rely on huge...

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence has firmly entered the creative world. And, as with any major innovation, doubts and insecurities quickly followed—especially among people who dream of working in film scoring. The question I hear most often is simple: “Will AI replace composers?” Before someone decides whether it’s worth investing in this career, that shadow always appears. But the truth is that, despite the noise and sensational headlines, AI has not replaced composers—and it’s very...