Composer
Website: tomasbarreiro.com
Most recent: La Cocina
For composer and orchestrator Tomás Barreiro, his career path was shaped by a creative upbringing. “My mother was a writer and my father was a theater playwright, and I studied classical guitar. And I had friends who were into making movies and shorts, and one turned out to be Alonso Ruizpalacios, a well-known filmmaker, and I just started writing for film,” Barreiro says. His work includes music for television shows, theater, advertising and more than 60 feature films, and he has earned the Ariel and Fénix Prizes, as well as distinctions at the Toronto International Film Festival and Chicago International Film Festival and more.
Barreiro has also worked extensively in concert music, premiering compositions around the world, but he enjoys the distinct challenges of writing music for film. “If I’m doing film music, I have to be efficient and part of a group process. I like that," he says.
With music that has reached audiences across the globe, Barreiro strives to write music that transcends cultural boundaries. “I try to be as universal as I can and create music that’s approachable, intelligent and, hopefully, appeals to anyone. I don’t want a particular signature; I’d rather be interesting and dynamic.”
When choosing new projects, Barreiro looks for depth and creative investment. “If I see that someone has made a big commitment to a project, I’ll say yes. If it looks really commercial, I tend to say no, because I know no one will care for it in the end. Aesthetic attraction is important, too—amazing images and strong scripts drive me.”
Barreiro also offers unique advice for aspiring film composers. “I would actually say focus less on the music, and focus more on seeing movies of all genres,” he says. “Historic films, Russian films, Mexican films—just go outside the ‘music’ box and lean into the film industry.”
