Bleeding Fingers Music

Bleeding Fingers Music is a composer collective co-founded by Hans Zimmer, Steven Kofsky, and Russell Emanuel in 2013 that creates original scores for film, television, documentaries, and multimedia. Headquartered in Los Angeles with a London office at Maida Vale Studios, the company combines large-scale orchestral scoring with cross-genre experimentation for global franchises.

How Bleeding Fingers Music Works

Bleeding Fingers operates on a collective model. Instead of a single composer handling every project, the company assigns composers from its roster based on the specific creative needs of each production. This allows them to scale from intimate solo scores to full orchestral recordings for major franchises.

The collective includes composers like Anze Rozman, Kara Talve, Ho-Ling Tang, and others who work under Zimmer's creative direction. The model enables:

• Large-scale orchestral scoring for blockbuster series and films
• Cross-genre experimentation using custom-built instruments and unconventional recording techniques
• Parallel project delivery across multiple productions simultaneously
• Mentorship where experienced composers guide emerging talent

In 2026, Bleeding Fingers opened a London office at the historic Maida Vale Studios (previously owned by the BBC and acquired in 2023). Jesse McNamara was appointed managing director of the London hub, with Dario Burns joining as creative director.

Real-World Example

For Apple TV+'s "Prehistoric Planet," composers Anze Rozman and Kara Talve created custom instruments from fossils, bones, and dinosaur skull replicas, then married them to a standard orchestra. For the "Ice Age" season, they recorded an octobass (a massive double bass requiring the player to stand on a stool) to achieve the low, rumbling sound for mammoth sequences. They also recorded a replica of the Divje Babe flute (a bear femur with holes, thought to be a Paleolithic instrument) inside the Postojna Cave in Slovenia. This level of sonic detail would be impossible to achieve through a standard production music library.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Bleeding Fingers Music represents the top tier of custom scoring. Most independent composers will not join this collective directly. However, the company's approach offers lessons for anyone pursuing a career in music for visual media:

1. Specialization creates opportunity. The composers at Bleeding Fingers each bring a distinct sonic identity. Developing a unique sound sets you apart in a crowded market.
2. Custom instruments and techniques generate press coverage. The Prehistoric Planet score received attention specifically because of the custom instruments. Unusual approaches get noticed.
3. Collectives amplify individual reach. Working within a group of complementary composers allows you to take on larger projects than you could alone.
4. Mentorship accelerates growth. The collective model pairs emerging composers with veterans, creating a pipeline for career development.

If you are pursuing a scoring career, study how Bleeding Fingers structures its deals and credits. Register with a PRO to collect performance royalties for any broadcast placements. Use our Sync Licensing Fee Calculator to understand fee ranges for different media types.

Current and Upcoming Projects

Bleeding Fingers Music's 2025-2026 slate includes:

• Harry Potter (HBO series) - Hans Zimmer scoring the upcoming adaptation
• All the Sinners Bleed (Netflix) - Zimmer and the collective scoring the adaptation of S.A. Crosby's novel, produced by Higher Ground Productions and Amblin Television
• Chief of War - Original score for the historical drama series
• The Americas - Nature documentary series
• Madden 25 - EA Sports video game score
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Limited series score
• Blue Angels - Documentary feature
• Planet Earth III and Blue Planet II - BBC nature documentary scores
• The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror - Animated anthology scoring with custom instruments

Related Resources

• How to Get Your Music in Video Games - Breaking into game audio
• How to Get Your Music on Netflix - Streaming platform placements
• Music Supervision Career Guide - Breaking into the supervisor side
• Creating Music for Sync Licensing - Production techniques for placements
• Sync Licensing Fee Calculator - Estimate scoring and placement fees
• Bleeding Fingers Music Official Website - View their portfolio and composer roster