Want to be a film and TV composer? Nigel Westlake says ‘check your ego’

Accomplished Australian composer Nigel Westlake shares his tips and tricks for getting into the screen music industry.

Nigel Westlake is a Sydney-based composer who has been in the industry for many, many years. You may recognise his work from classic films like Babe, Miss Potter, and Ali’s Wedding.

I also write extensively for the concert hall and my work has received many awards, including two ARIA Awards, 15 APRA awards across both Classical and Screen categories, and the Gold Medal for Best Original Music at the New York International Radio Festival.

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Silvi Vann-Wall is a Melbourne-based journalist, podcaster, critic and filmmaker who loves frogs and improv comedy. They were the ScreenHub Film Content Lead from 2022 to 2025. Twitter (X): @SilviReports / Bluesky: @silvi.bsky.social‬ / Website: silvireports.com