Screen composer & music editor
In the studio at Stella Maris recording an original work for string quartet.
Kia ora, I’m William.
I am a Wellington-based composer and music editor, with a keen interest in creating and recording music for film, and television.
I strive to create music that will elevate storytelling, whether that is orchestral, ambient, electronic, or something entirely unique.
Featured Projects
A selection of the projects I have worked on. Head over to the projects page to find more of my work or browse the credits on my IMDb page.
Shortland Street
Composer | 2023 - 2024 Television Series
In 2023, I became the composer and music supervisor of the series Shortland Street. I have written music for over three-hundred episodes. The show is the longest-running drama series on New Zealand television, having just celebrated its 31st birthday. The show airs 5 episodes a week, running Monday to Friday.
A cultural phenomenon, Shortland Street, is one of New Zealand's most-watched shows.
The show airs at 7:00 pm on weeknights on TV2, or can be watched on TVNZ OnDemand.
Dazzlehands!
Composer | 2024 Orginal Ballet Production
Commissioned and staged by the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, this original ballet “Dazzlehands” is based on the New Zealand Children’s book of the same name. Dazzlehands is about a pig who, much to the chagrin of the farmer, won’t say ‘oink’ and instead says ‘Dazzlehands!’
The music of Dazzlehands is fun and energetic, with genre-bending elements and featuring flaming saxophone licks and solos from Joshua Blucker.
DEAD
Composer (with Tom McLeod & James Euringer) | 2020 Feature Film
Dead is a 2020 horror-comedy feature film directed by Hayden J Weal and starring popular comedian Thomas Sainsbury. I co-wrote the music with composers Tom McLeod and James Euringer. The film follows a stoner who can see ghosts (Thomas Sainsbury). He teams up with the ghost of a dead police officer (Hayden J Weal), to help him solve his own murder.
The film was released on September 17th to a wide theatre release, before being released by TVNZ OnDemand.
High Tide Don’t Hide
Composer | 2021 Feature Documentary
High Tide Don’t Hide is a feature documentary following the School Strike for Climate in New Zealand.
The film was shown in New Zealand parliament hosted by politician Chloë Swarbrick the day after a climate emergency was declared. The film then played in cinemas across New Zealand during the 2021 Doc Edge Film Festival. The film was also selected for the 2021 Hawai‘i International Film Festival. The film can now be watched TVNZ OnDemand, played on Whakaata Māori and was released on PBS in the USA.
Ave Marie
Composer | 2024 Short Film
Set in 1980s Aotearoa suburbia, this charming short film from writer-director Celestina Sumby weaves a nostalgic fairy-tale about embracing individuality, confronting bullies, and the joy of dance.
The subtle score blends ethereal choral writing with twinkly and sparkly percussion. The music intertwines with a varied diegetic soundtrack, from classical Tchaikovsky to an energetic 80s dance-off, helping to create a seamless emotional journey throughout the film.
Lover’s Got The Runs
Composer | 2024 Short Film
Winner of the 48-Hour National Best Music Award!
This film was made as part of the popular and competitive New Zealand 48-Hour Film Festival. Featuring a fun score, and a catchy song— which was co-written with actor and vocalist Jthan Morgan.
This film was nominated for various awards at the regional Wellington finals, coming away with the Best Music Award. The film then made it to the Grand Finals, where it again won the Best Music Award. Sir Peter Jackson called out the film as one of his six favorite films of the competition.