Zack Ryan, the composer behind the score for Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, brings a refreshing approach to the supernatural thriller genre. In a film where the camera represents the point of view of a ghost, Ryan’s score steers away from typical genre conventions like jump-scare music and instead focuses on the emotional depth of the story – grief, loss, and familial dysfunction. The result is a melodic, traditional orchestral score that enhances the film’s emotional journey, offering a unique contrast to the usual ambient sound design. We spoke with Zack Ryan about his continued collaboration with Steven Soderbergh, which began with Full Circle, along with his work on such diverse projects as STARZ’s Leavenworth, the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock series from Apple TV+, and Netflix’s A Christmas Prince series.

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