BIOGRAPHY
Christopher O’Young is a screen composer based between Sydney and Shanghai.
Most recent projects have included the AFC funded documentaries When Colin Met Joyce and When the Natives Get Restless. He composed music for Aratjara, a production marking the beginning of Australia’s first National Indigenous Television Station, NITV. He has scored films and titles themes for the ABC and SBS and has been nominated by the Australian Guild of Screen Composers for awards including Best Movie Theme (2004) and Best Music for a Documentary (2000).
A Masters graduate of AFTRS (Australian Film Television and Radio School), Christopher was the recipient of the 2005 Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship to conduct research into the Australian and Chinese Film Co-production Treaty. He has studied traditional Chinese opera under renowned composer Xu Jing Xin and been resident guest lecturer at Shanghai Normal University department of Film and Television.
While his specific expertise lies in music and sound production, in recent years Christopher has begun developing, writing and producing projects that explore identity politics, both in Australia’s relationship to its Indigenous culture and, as a man of Chinese heritage, stories that stem from the Chinese diaspora.
In 2005 his inaugural production, Another Day, was awarded Best Music Video at the St Kilda Film Festival. Currently Christopher is developing the feature film script Fatherland whilst working with pop and hip hop artists in China and Australia.
FILMOGRAPHY
2007
When Colin Met Joyce
dir. Rima Tamou, prod. Pauline Clague, Core Films, AFC Indigenous unit, documentary 57’
Aratjara
dir. Adrian Wills, prod. Melissa Johnston, CAAMA Productions, National Indigenous Television, documentary 28’
When the Natives Get Restless
dir. Adrian Wills, prod. Melissa Johnston, Essential Viewing, AFC Indigenous Unit, documentary 28’
Jackie Jackie
dir. Adrian Wills, prod. Kath Shelper, Film Depot, AFC Indigenous Unit, drama 5’, part of series Bit of Black Business.
Esmay Timbery: She Sells Sea Shells
dir. Kelrick Martin, prod. Lisa McGregor, ABC Arts, documentary 26’
2006
Island Fettlers
dir. Kelrick Martin, prod. Pauline Clague, Core Films, AFC Indigenous Unit and SBSi, documentary 28’
Kokoda (assistant composer)
dir. Alister Grierson, prod. Leesa Kahn, GFN Films, AFC, col., 35mm, 89’.
2005
Messagestick
Composer of titles music for ABC indigenous weekly programme Messagestick.
Our Bush Wedding
dir. Adrian Wills, prod. Sienna Brown, Pine Street Films, AFC Indigenous Unit and SBSi, documentary 52’
Another Day
dir. Rhys Graham, prod. Christopher O’Young, 16mm, 3”50’; Winner Best Music Video, St Kilda Film Festival 2005.
Sa Black Thing
dir. Rima Tamou, prod. Pauline Clague, Core Films, AFC Indigenous and SBSi, col., 35mm, 26’
The Bet (assistant composer)
dir. Mark Lee, prod. Caroline Gerard, col. 35mm, drama 92”
2004
Gabriel
dir. Cherie Knott, Easy Tiger Films and NSWFTO; col., 35mm, 11”. Winner Best Short Film, Giffoni Hollywood.
2003
Marking Time (assistant to composer)
drama/mini-series, Zodiac Productions and ABC
Your Brother My Tidda
dir. Kelrick Martin, AFTRS; documentary, col., digibeta, 20”
The McDonagh Sisters
dir. Rebecca Barry, AFTRS; col., digibeta, 26”
Award for Technical Excellence, International Student Documentary Competition, Columbia College Chicago 2003.
Façade
dir. Ema Mulholland, AFTRS; col., minidv, 5”
2002
Ex
dir. Julie Kalceff and Andrew Soo, AFTRS; col., digibeta, 8”
Love’s Labourer
dir. Alister Grierson, AFTRS; col., digibeta, 6”
Nomination, Best Original Movie Theme, Johnny Dennis AGSC/APRA Award, 2003
Smith
dir. Justin Schneider, AFTRS; col., 35mm, 15”
He Recounts Her
dir. Leesa Kahn; col., digibeta, 5”
Pickle My Grandmother (co-composer)
AFTRS, 2x26”, col., digibeta
The Hard Word (co-composer)
AFTRS, 4x26”, col., digibeta
2000
Little Killers; Killers of the Land
dir. Roger Whittaker, Discovery Channel; col., minidv, 52”
Little Killers; Killers of the Sea
dir. Roger Whittaker, Discovery Channel; col., minidv, 52”
Nominated for Best Score for Documentary, AGSC/APRA Awards
1999
Charm
dir. Rhys Graham, VCA; col., 16mm, 24”
Wolf
dir. Bin Lee, AFTRS; col., 16mm, 8”
Phobia
dir. Thomas Hearn, AFTRS; col., 35mm, 8
1998
Sunday Morning
dir. Briony Kidd, VCA; col., 16mm
1997
Scout
dir. Rhys Graham, UTS; col., 16mm
Domesticated Animals
dir., Adam Blaiklock, AFTRS; col., 16mm, 7”
Winner Best Direction, Australian International Film Festival, Canberra
1996
Nought
dir. Emma Vuletic, UTS; col., 16mm, 5” |