I. Hi! We’re happy to have you with us. First thing’s first, can you slate for us please?
“Sure. The name’s Cillian Bristow. You haven’t heard of me. But perhaps you’ve heard my music; I’m a composer, and once in a blue moon I’ll have the opportunity to write a quality score and not the generic bullshit that’s usually asked of me. I’m thirty-seven, go by masculine pronouns. I’ve gotten more than one person asking, ‘Omigod are you Tom Ellis?’ I have more talent than an actor. But hey, if they can’t tell the difference, I’ll autograph his name anyway.”
II. It’s great to meet you. So you have to know that everyone’s been curious about you, why don’t we start with where you’re from? Tell us where you grew up and what your childhood and family were like.
“I grew up in a beautiful estate outside of Oxford. The last name might remind you of the local Bristows, titans of industry. That’ll be because they’re unfortunately my family, and I’m the first to drop the ball on helming the empire. A musician. God forbid. I grew up wanting for nothing, I’ll admit, but the experience was stuffy and dour. I have no use for that life.”
III. Well, they say our upbringing molds who we become. I’m sure that you got your reputation for being confident, talented and perceptive; but arrogant, cynical, and tactless from that.
“Ha. I’d like to think I’m a self-made asshole. I suppose high standards might come with being a Bristow, even if it’s in a different field. But I don’t owe them a shred of my talent. I’m a genius. Sure, arrogant, but justly so.”
IV. And what about that lead you to your current career? How did that impact you enough to want to do what you do now?
“From the first piano lesson, the goal was music, not film. I didn’t start out in Hollywood. I hope I won’t remain here. But the point is, the career followed the ability. I have perfect pitch, I can sight read music with multiple instruments like I can read a page from a book. What my parents hoped would be a passing hobby became my core. I started writing music soon after learning to play it. I believe I would be wasted doing anything else.”
V. That’s awesome. I’m sure our readers will love to hear that. So you knew you had a calling, what came next? How did you get yourself to Hollywood? What was your first job?
“In my mid twenties, I was composing and conducting in London and NYC. Believe it or not, I wasn’t making a killing. My inheritance was funding most of my lifestyle, much to my chagrin. Then I got chatting with an old university of buddy of mine, another creative type, a director. He showed me his early ideas for the score of the picture he was working on. I looked it over, told him it was trash, went home, then returned to him with drafts of a better theme. He asked me to fly out to Hollywood and work with him. The price tag convinced me.”
VI. Of course, but we all know there’s a sea of faces out here trying to get famous as well, right? It must have been hard, the first few rejections or being told something wasn’t good enough. What was the most difficult thing you faced on your journey?
“I learned very quickly that success in this place means giving people what they want, even if they’re… objectively wrong. That’s really fucking frustrating. I know music. The people writing the cheques don’t. I’ve had countless people insist on essentially replicating the temp music they’ve spliced into early cuts, just because it’s become ingrained in their creative vision. Or they want something bland, unobtrusive, the elevator music of film scores to fill the awkward silences. Or my favourite, sad strings to make the audience feel sad when the dialogue won’t cut it. I have… a lot of obstacles. But I live well. Sometimes the gods of Hollywood even throw me an award.”
VII. So then what was the moment that you realized you made it? Or are you still waiting for that moment?
“I’m a solid C-lister, according to an unsolicited comment at a premiere the other night. I’m surprised I’m on a list at all. I’m not great at image, and my energy is better spent on my work. Let others clamber for their names up in lights. As long as I’m kept busy and respected within the close circles of my profession, that suits me.”
VIII. It’s amazing when you make it far enough in this town when so many people end up giving up and going home, isn’t it? So now that you’re here, what’s next for you?
“Yes, yes, congratulations are in order. I should have left long ago, before my soul completely left my body. But the money keeps rolling in. I have a few films ongoing, and a few of my own compositions laying neglected by the piano. I’d love to be known for real music. But as of now, the film scores are taking up the majority of my time.”
IX. Now we know it’s personal but we have to ask, do you have any comment about the rumors going around about you?
“I am not, in fact, ‘secretly dating’ the actress I have been photographed with, sharing such intimate moments as 'laughing’ and 'drinking coffee’. I have friends. Sometimes I spend time with friends. Hard to believe, I know. Besides, I wouldn’t date a celebrity. That seems exhausting.”
X. Thank you so much for talking to us today. Lastly, is there anything you want our readers to know about you?
“Though I guarantee you will never hear it, I have a decent singing voice. The most I sing is when I am demonstrating to my musicians how the music would sound if they made the effort to play in time and in tune. Oh, and I play at a piano bar in my off hours to relax, be alone in my element. Which bar? None of your business. Why? Because leave me alone, that’s why.”
