ABOUT THIS CD: SHORTS A COLLECTION OF FILM SCORES VOL.1 is a compilation album from multi-award winning film and television composer Eric Hester. This album showcases an eclectic array of mostly unknown and previously unreleased music scores from nearly a dozen short films. “I am very excited about the release of this album.” Says Eric. “My work on these short films are simply a labor of love. Short subject films are usually made as ‘calling cards’ and they typically have very small budgets. Outside of exhibition in film festivals, most of these films have not been seen by a wide audience. My opportunity in scoring these films is that I am afforded the chance to write outside the boundaries of what Hollywood has typecast me. I am also given a creative freedom that is unheard of on my higher profile feature film and television work. These are projects that I can basically write the way I want to without having to fit into a box. I am thrilled that these mostly unheard scores are now being released.” Included on this album are several scores written for the 48-HOUR FILM PROJECT, a film festival where short films are written, filmed, completed and projected to a live audience within a 48-hour time period. On these projects, Eric typically has to conceive, perform and deliver a finished score within a 4-hour period. “I am honored to have been involved in a handful of 48 HOUR FILM PROJECTS. Never before have I been under such pressure to deliver music! I’ve been lucky to work with some great talent on these films and the raw energy has turned out some surprisingly good shorts.” Eric’s work on 48-HOUR film projects has brought collaborations with film director Troy Miller (Jack Frost, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd), John Farley (brother of the late Chris Farley) and longtime colleague, Director Scott Schofield (A Night at Sophie’s), among others. Music from more mainstream short film projects can also be heard on this album. Highlights include music from THE FOUNTAIN, a touching film about an elderly man’s hope to heal his ailing wife by utilizing a discovered ‘fountain of youth’. In another offering, Eric’s comedic and dark score from THE HOLIDAY ANGST OF SHELDON MELONOWSKI tastefully blends an Eastern European sound with a more traditional Christmas pastiche. Eric’s moody score for THE MONKEY’S PAW is a gothic, yet classical, musical take for WW Jacob’s classic literary tale. Don’t miss Eric’s scores for THE SWAP and WAITING, obvious nods to composers Henry Mancini and Burt Bacharach. This album shows Eric’s great diversity as a composer, perhaps not heard in his more well-known feature film and television work. Eric’s sensibilities for melody and classic arrangements set him apart from the new class of ‘up-and-coming’ young Hollywood composers. This album is sure to be of interest to any fan of film or film music. ABOUT THE COMPOSER: Eric Hester is a multi-award winning film and television composer, songwriter, producer and music supervisor. In 1993, at the age of nineteen, he quickly made a name for himself having been nominated for a CableAce Award for his original song, “Second Chance”. Joining the ranks of Elton John, Harry Conick Jr. and others - Eric lost the award to Carly Simon. Known for his melodic hooks and unique orchestrations, Eric went on to become one of the most watched young composers in Hollywood. His television and film scores have garnered him an Aurora Award, Omni Award, Axiem Award, Accolade Award, Telly Award, John Lennon Songwriting Award (twice) and an ASCAP Award. As a composer he has also contributed to an Emmy winning score as well as two Emmy nominated scores. Eric’s film score credits include, JACK, THREE BLIND MICE, BOLLYWOOD & VINE, ANA, CLIENT 3815, THE MONKEY’S PAW, REVELATION, THE FOUNTAIN, ALTERED SPECIES, A NIGHT AT SOPHIE’S, FUTURE MURDER and MARCUS APPLE, among others. He has also composed the company themes for Paia Pictures, Pink Cat Productions, Little Acorn Films and the Beverly Hills International Film Festival. His television credits include, Rodney (ABC), The Pretender (NBC), Star Trek Enterprise (UPN), 20 Things To Do Before You’re 30 (UPN), Nash Bridges (CBS), Flatland (Showtime), Zoey 101 (Nickelodeon), Sworn To Secrecy (History Channel), Fun With Dick and James (Spike TV), Mr. Chi Chi’s Guide to the Universe (Discovery) and American Almanacs (History Channel), among others. Eric has also been active as a producer having recently produced, arranged and performed on the Britney Spears song, “Follow Me”. Eric is a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys) and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (Grammys). His affiliations and membership also include the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL). Eric serves on the board of Cue Pop, a music licensing and library company. As an entrepreneur, Eric owns a graphic and web design firm (Hester Design Group), a music publishing company (Hesterwood Music) and is an active music licensor. Eric is also the founder and owner of WiredWed.com, an online wedding industry company. Originally from Orange County he now resides in Los Angeles with his wife Charity, an interior architect and designer and their daughter Adelaide. Eric Hester is represented as a film and television composer by The Jeff Kaufman Talent Agency, (818) 506-6013.