Blood, Sex And Royalty
Netflix Series
Nutopia
A 3-part period docu-drama created for Netflix, about the life of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. The show is a modern, feminist take on Anne's extraordinary impact, influence and place in history, produced by acclaimed UK company Nutopia (One Strange Rock, The World According To Jeff Goldblum).
Music by Tom McLeod
When The Cows Come Home
Feature Documentary
2022 Lone Pine Films
A Costa Botes film about musician, artist, journalist and ’cow whisperer’ Andrew Johnstone.
"The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular
Music by Tom McLeod
Fight For The Wild
Documentary Series
Director: Peter Young
Winner "Best Original Score" NZTV awards 2021, AND Finalist APRA Awards Best Original Music 2021
Fisheye Films © 2021
A 4-part documentary series by director Peter Young, which explores the extraordinary work being done all around Aotearoa towards our Predator-Free 2050 ambition - hailed internationally as ‘NZ’s Moonshot’.
The show, which was commissioned by RNZ, weaves into 4 beautiful chapters the themes of “Loss”, “Defiance”, “Battle” and “Hope”, sharing the story of the people, the tech, the heartbreaks and successes that could make this grand vision possible.
Score composed by Tom McLeod
Song For Serbia
Short Film
Director: Rouzie Hassanova
2021 Tom McLeod
Suite Habana Productions
Song For Serbia is a coming-of-age comedy drama about teen sisters who are left with no choice but to hitchhike home. However, their journey gets complicated when they get picked up by gang members.
Written and directed by award-winning Bulgarian born writer/director Rouzie Hassanova, the film explores universal themes, weaving cultures, languages and lands together. Based on a true story, the film explores being an immigrant in modern day Aotearoa, judging by appearances and manaakitanga (hospitality, generosity, care and respect for others).
Score composed by Tom McLeod
One Long Black
Short Film, comedy
Director: Dean Hewison
2021 Tom McLeod
Picture Start Films
Leon has the world’s best boss and, like everybody else in the office, desperately wants to please her. But the seemingly simple task of bringing her a morning coffee is fraught with much more difficulty than he could have imagined.
Directed by Dean Hewison and starring the physical-comedy talents of co-writer Thom Monckton, this dialogue-less story is a triumph for the optimist in us all.
Score composed by Tom McLeod
Ihitai 'Avei'a - Star Navigator
Semi-staged Opera
© Tim Finn, Tom McLeod
A seven-year musical collaboration with composer Tim Finn, Tom co-composed this epic work, which also features Tahitian monologues by Celestine Hitura Vaite, and additional lyrics by Gary Henderson, with Tahitian translations by Ena Manuireva.
Commissioned by West Australian Opera, covid enforced interruptions led to the cancellation of no less than two planned performances over 2020 and 2021.
Composer & Lyricist Tim Finn; Co-composer Tom McLeod
Tahitian monologues by Celestine Hitiura Vaite; Additional Lyrics by Gary Henderson
DEAD
Feature film - Comedy
Director: Hayden Weal
Writers: Hayden Weal and Tom Sainsbury
A buddy film with ghosts...
Pairing a stoner and a ghost cop, Dead showcases the comic talents of Tom Sainsbury and actor/director Hayden J Weal. Weal plays “wannabe super cop” Jayson Tagg, who after being murdered enlists the help of Dane Marbeck (Sainsbury) to help him stop a serial killer. Marbeck can see and talk to ghosts, thanks to a special “medication”. The cast also includes Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Michael Hurst and Tōmairangi Ihaia
Score composed by Tom McLeod, Jimmy Urine, William Philipson
Woman In Blue
Short Film - Thriller
Director/Writer: Jack O'Donnell, Producer/Writer: Ashleigh Flynn
Electric Shoelace Productions
Awhi (Tanea Heke), an ex-policewoman, relives memories from her past while in a dementia ward. A visit from Owen (Temuera Morrison) provides a moment of relief.
Score composed by Tom McLeod & William Philipson
Peninsula
Short Film - Drama
Director: Fiona McKenzie
Due South Films
Trying to connect with his estranged son Toby (Jasper Sutcliffe), and confronted by a neighbor, Amber (Amber Ranson), who does things differently, Mark (Tom Trevella) is forced out of his comfort zone, and there are unexpected consequences.
The film features a track “Welcome To The Peninsula” written for the film by Tom, and performed onscreen by the two lead
"Welcome To The Peninsula" music by Tom McLeod, lyrics by Fiona McKenzie
Camino Skies
Feature Documentary
Directors: Noel Smyth, Fergus Grady
© 2019 Tom McLeod
Exploring themes of spirituality, well-being and religion, this film follows six strangers from New Zealand and Australia as they set off on an inspirational trek along the 800km Camino de Santiago, each hoping to overcome the personal and physical trauma that life has dealt them.
Music by Tom McLeod
Chips
Short Film
Director: Karen Kelly
© Tom McLeod
Clan Creative
*WINNER: Short Film, Chicago International Film Festival
*WINNER: Best Director Ahmedabad International Film Festival
*WINNER: Scottish Short Film Festival
*FINALIST: Moscow International Childrens' Film Festival
A young girl, who after the loss of her beloved grandfather, discovers that when she accidentally feeds her grandfather's ashes to her goldfish "Chips", he speaks to her.
Music by Tom McLeod
New Zealand Story - Inside Stories
Promotional Web Series
© 2019 Tom McLeod
Inside Stories is the latest series in New Zealand Story, and includes personalities such as actress Bryce Dallas Howard and the Tesla co-founder Ian Wright to explain in their own words what makes New Zealand unique.
New Zealand Story was established to “broaden what Aotearoa is known for beyond natural
Music by Tom McLeod
City of 100 Lovers
Stage Musical Comedy
© Tom McLeod
100 Lovers Productions
Director - Tony Stimac; Music and Lyrics - Tom McLeod; Book and Lyrics - Peter Kellogg; Original Story - Justin Brown; Choreographer - Taiaroa Royal; Creative Director - Vincent Ward; Costume Design - Ding Ding; Set Design - Iain Aitken; AV content - Jon Baxter, Lighting Design - Jane Hakaraia; Music Director - Josh Clark. Producer Tong
Tom McLeod
Shortland Street - Christmas Cliffhanger
TV series
© Tom McLeod
South Pacific Pictures
A cracking 1-hour thriller directed by Oliver Driver for the famous Shortland Street Christmas cliffhanger. This story called for a darker approach, with just a little more ‘opera’ than the usual Soap Opera, and paying musical homage to Graeme Revell’s iconic score for “Dead Calm”
Featured musicians: Vivian Stephens (violin), Sarah Lineham (soprano)
Music by Tom McLeod
Kiwi Christmas
Feature Film
2017 Tom McLeod
Field Theory
NZ's first ever Christmas movie. Directed by Tony Simpson and Produced by Tim Sanders, this family film stars Sia Trockenheim, Xavier Horan, Will Hall, Troy Kingi, Laura Daniel, Wesley Dowdell and Karl Vāānānen as Santa. Fed up with Christmas, Santa runs away to New Zealand for a summer holiday. When two Kiwi kids figure out who he is, they have to find a way to get him back to the North Pole in time for
Music by Tom McLeod
Tama
Short Film
Directed by Jared Flitcroft, Jack O'Donnell
© Tom McLeod
Odd Socks Productions
Tama is the result of a unique collaboration between Deaf and hearing filmmakers.
It tells the story of a young Maori Deaf boy who wants to perform the Haka. On a near-fatal car trip, Tama has to confront his family. In his struggle, he begins to grow from an undervalued youth into a proud young man.
Music by Tom McLeod
Pecking Order
Feature Documentary
© 2017
This feel-good, feather-ruffling flockumentary follows a group of witty and distinctive poultry obsessives trying to peak at nationals as their 148-year old club crumbles around them.
Premiering at the New Zealand International Film Festival, the film was a crowd favourite.
Featured Musicians:
Music by Tom McLeod
Into The Rainbow
Feature Film
Director: Norman Stone
© TW Films 2017
A 3D fantasy adventure film starring Willow Shields, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Lei Wu, Christy Chung, Joe Chen, the film is a co-production between China, U.K and New Zealand. It is set for release in 2017.
Two troubled teenage girls, Rachel and Grace, discover an incredible natural phenomena and find themselves transported to China. Chased down by an obsessed scientist and her mysterious international organization, they must find a way to restore nature before catastrophic storms destroy the entire Pacific and threaten the
Music by Tom McLeod
The Art Of Recovery
Feature Documentary
2015 New City Films
FINALIST - APRA Best Original Music In A Feature Film, 2016
“The Art Of Recovery” directed by Peter Young is about the artist driven community projects that have sprung up in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes such as “Gap Filler”, which are helping to shape an exciting and vivid new Christchurch - while the Government-led CERA has somewhat different ideas about how to go about rebuilding a city.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
When We Go To War
Drama mini-series
© Jump Film and Television
As 2015 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, TV ONE commissioned the six-part television event “When We Go to War” .
A historical saga, it tells the story of six young men and women who, in 1914, are full of plans and dreams for the future.
Score by Tom McLeod
3 Mile Limit
Feature Film
Directed by Craig Newland
© No. 8 Films 2014
No.8 Films
A true story about the rise of Radio Hauraki in mid-'60s New Zealand. In an effort to break the government's state-broadcasting monopoly and bring rock n' roll to the young Kiwi masses, a group of rebel DJs set out on a boat named Tiri and broadcast from international waters. Stars Matt Whelan, David Aston, Dan Musgrove
Music score composed by Tom McLeod
Girl Vs Boy - Season 2
comedy, drama
Directed by Thomas Robins & David Stubbs
© KHF Media 2014
Winner - Best Original Music in a Series
[APRA Silver Scrolls 2014]
The small-town craziness continues on an epic level... The Norwegians bed themselves into The Bay in every way possible, while Maxine prepares for the role of her life - carrying the hopes and dreams of The Bay winning ‘The happiest Suburb in New Zealand’ competition squarely on her shoulders... all culminating in an unlikely musical finale as ‘The Bay blows the competition
Music by Tom McLeod; Lyrics by Tom McLeod, Paul Yates, Martha Hardy-Ward
Dancers
Short Film: Drama
© an MSD Production
For two kiwis living in Nigeria, a blind date turns into a nightmare when they are taken hostage by a local militia. As hope of any escape fades, they find a connection through the walls.
Written by Casey Whelan, Directed by Louise Leitch and starring Sophie Henderson ("Amie") and Matt Whelan ("David").
Music & Lyrics by Tom McLeod
(vocal chant featuring Sam Manzanza)
Jack & Chops
Web-Series
2 point 21 films
When 1987 crime-fighting dynamo-detective-duo Jack and Chops chase down their arch nemesis Dr. Q, they get more than they bargained for - accidentally being thrown forward through time to 2014, creating ripples in the time vortex to unleash who knows what from who knows where or who knows when.
Theme Song by Tom McLeod
Mitre 10 Dream Home
TV reality series
Director Leon Sefton, Producer Tina McLaren
© TVNZ 2013
TVNZ
2 families race to design, build and complete their dream home over a series of action-packed weekends, in this re-vamped new version of the classic DIY show...
Tom teamed up with old Hutt comrade, now composer & DJ - Bruce Gainsford for this TV2 series.
Music by Tom McLeod
The Present
Short Film: drama/fantasy
Directed by Thomas Robins, written by Sarah Boddy
© Godwit Films 2013
Godwit Films
A stressed banker and a cleaner’s curious young daughter share a fleeting and unlikely friendship as they play in an office one evening.
Music by Tom McLeod
The God Painter
Short Film: drama
Director Pavel Kvatch, Producer Helmut Marko, writer Joe Ryan
A family of Russian immigrants has a fraught relationship with their neighbour.
Music by Tom McLeod
featuring Justin Firefly (guitars/balalaika/banjo)
Blankets
Short Film: drama
Director Louise Leitch, Producer Melissa Dodds, Writer Casey Whelan
© an MSD Production
An MSD Production
Jack spends an afternoon alone in his room, reliving the magic of a teenage love story and the tragic events that threaten to tear it apart. As he considers his world without his girl, he is left questioning what it really means to do the right thing.
Music by Tom McLeod
featuring Sarah Lineham [vocals] "Won't You Tell Me"
Girl Vs Boy
TV series
Produced / Directed by Thomas Robins & David Stubbs
KHF Media 2012
From the Emmy Award winning creators of “Reservoir Hill” comes New Zealand’s first romantic whodunnit comedy. With plenty of heart, hotties and hoebags, it promises to be a pretty special little small-town epic...
Music by Tom McLeod
Spuren der Vergangenheit
tele-feature (90 mins): romance; Germany / NZ
Director: Christoph Schrewe
© Polyphon / GFC 2012
Set in NZ and based on the Emilie Richards novel "Good Time Man", this romantic drama follows the story of an orchestral pianist's quest to find her birth mother. The film stars Gesine Cukrowski, Oliver Bootz, Saskia Vester, Olga von Luckwald and Rawiri Paratene, and was produced for ZDF by Henrik Meyer.
Music by Tom McLeod
Hot Rob
Short Film: action-comedy
Director: Andy Campion
© Activate Films 2012
“Hot Rob” is the story of one man - car salesman Rob Hart, and his love for nubile car-yard receptionist Anna, which leads him into and out of danger, and then back into it again - culminating in a spectacular and destructive finale on Wellington's waterfront that is indeed quite ‘Hot’. Hot Rob will premiere very
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Dr Grordbort's "The Deadliest Game"
Short Film: Steampunk Sc-fi, 3D animation
Director: James Cunningham
© Media Design School 2012
Award winning filmmaker James Cunningham has created the first ever film for globally recognised property Dr. Grordbort's, with full support from Greg Broadmore (creator) and Richard Taylor (co-owner of Stardog and Weta Workshop). Working with advanced 3D production students at the Media Design School, Cunningham and screenwriter Nick Ward tell the story of inter-planetary adventurer Lord Broadforce on his imperialist mission to conquer other worlds on behalf of the British empire. Imposing his beautifully destructive weaponry, he also gives a valuable 'lesson' along the way to an eco-friendly American
Music composed by Tom McLeod
The Last Dogs Of Winter
Feature Documentary
Directed by Costa Botes
© 2011 Chilli Dog Films / Lone Pine Films
Official Selection - Toronto International Film festival 2011, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam 2011, Sydney Film Fest 2012, NZ International Film Fest 2012
Set in the small arctic town of Churchill, Manitoba, this film explores one man’s little-known struggle to preserve the rarest registered breed of dog in the world - the Canadian Eskimo dog (Qimmiq) - from
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Der Zauber von Neuseeland
tele-feature: romance; Germany / NZ
Director: John Delbridge
© Polyphon / GFC 2011
Adapted from the Emilie Richards novel “Duncan's Lady” the story follows Duncan Sinclair, who reluctantly returns home with his young daughter to Puhoi, New Zealand, to negotiate with his estranged mother over the sale of the now dilapidated family hotel. Upon meeting the unconventional new local doctor Mara Turner, Duncan’s view of the old small town softens, and he is forced to confront his painful
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Entscheidung des Herzens
tele-feature: romance; Germany / NZ
Director: John Delbridge
© Polyphon / GFC 2011
Adapted from the Emilie Richards novel “Whiskey Island”. When Casey Donavan returns to her country home after many years, she is surprised to find her sister and the family farm on the brink of bankruptcy. Despite a welcome change of scenery and the rekindling of an old flame, Casey appears to have a secret of her own.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Netherwood
Feature Film; western / thriller
Starring Owen Black, Will Hall, Miriama Smith, Peter McCauley, Mick Innes, Peter Rowley
© Netherwood Films Ltd
Official Selection - New Zealand International Film Festival (Christchurch) 2011.
Set in a fictional backwater and filmed in the beautiful limestone hills of Waipara, north of Christchurch, Netherwood stirs a hefty dose of hardboiled Southern Man stoicism into a modern day Western thriller. When Stan (Owen Black) enters the small country town Netherwood and unwittingly inherits a prime piece of land coveted by a local wealthy landowner, what ensues is a conflict over land, driven by a primal battle between men for power and dominance.
Music composed by Tom McLeod, songs by Delaney Davidson
featuring Delaney Davidson (guitar) and Justin Firefly (guitar/mandolin/banjo)
Daytime Tiger
Feature Documentary
© Lone Pine Films
Official Selection - NZ International Film Festival
A portrait of New Zealand writer Michael Morrissey - an up-close encounter with an extremely intelligent man in the grip of bipolar disorder. It's also a harrowing portrait of marriage vows tested to the extreme.
[clips coming soon...]
Music composed by Tom McLeod. Additional Music by Harley Green
Sehnsucht nach Paradise Island
tele-feature: romance / adventure; Germany / NZ
© Polyphon / GFC 2011
Based on the Emilie Richards novel ‘Secret Of The Opal’, this is a story about love, adventure and the search for great fortune.
[clips coming soon...]
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Whakatiki
Short Film: Drama
Director: Louise Leitch; starring Mabelle Dennison, Jim Moriarty
© Floodlight Film Productions
Official selection in 18 festivals, including Tribeca Film Festival (New York) and winning Best Short Film at Montreal First People's Festival.
Kiri, an overweight Maori woman, takes a trip to the Whakatiki River where she spent so many summers as a girl. With her goes her husband Dan, his friend Seb and Seb’s newly arrived and beautiful cousin, Josie. The place awakens powerful memories for Kiri, and as tensions mount and the facade of Kiri and Dan’s relationship rapidly crumbles, Kiri is drawn to an unexpected
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Alone Against The Tasman
TV docu-drama
© Gibson Group 2011
A story of courage and discovery, this docu-drama retraces the journey of kiwi trans-Tasman solo rower Shaun Quincey on his remarkable journey from Australia to New Zealand. Only the second person to row the crossing solo, Shaun achieved this feat more than 30 years after his own father Colin rowed the Tasman in the opposite
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Candyman
Feature Documentary
The David Klein Story
© Lone Pine Films
Directed by Costa Botes
Official Selection-Hot Docs, 2010. Winner Director's Choice Award - Ricon International Film Festival 2010. Official Selection - NZ International Film Fest. 2010. Official selection - Documentary Channel (U.S) Premiere documentaries of 2010.
The amazing true story of David Klein, inventor of one of America's most iconic candies - the jellybelly jellybean. Revealing both sides of the American dream, the film explores this colourful eccentric genius and his bittersweet adventures in the world of candy.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Lost In Wonderland
Feature Film; Documentary
© Lone Pine Film and TV Productions 2009
Director: Zoe McIntosh / Producer: Costa Botes
WINNER of two Qantas Film & Television Awards 2010. Official Selection FIFO - Tahiti Pacific Film Festival 2010. Official Selection - NZ International Film Fest 2009.
He’s a straight bloke who likes to wear dresses.
Cop, farmer, public figure and crusading lawyer, Rob Moodie has never been shy about sticking up for what he believes in and sticking it to the male ethos. Moodie’s extraordinary life, career and personality are examined in this documentary that’s as colourful as its subject matter.
Karaoke High
TV series; Prime-time drama
© TVNZ 2006
Director: Thomas Robins/John Callen
New Zealand's answer to Fame, follows the aspirational journey of 5 teens who chase their dreams at an elite performing arts academy. Featuring an all-original soundtrack (including over 30 songs) the series showcases a wide range of music and dance - from hip hop to ballet.
Music and lyrics by Tom McLeod
One Night Only
TV series; Light Entertainment
© TVNZ 2009
Hosted by Jordan Vandermade (The Singing Bee) and Clinton Randall (Just The Job), One Night Only pitches two teams of regular people from all walks of life against each other for a cash prize.
The teams are given vocal and dance training, and whisked into the limelight of the studio to perform songs as a group, a duet and as a solo artist. As Musical Director, Tom oversaw talent selection, repertoire selection and arrangement, vocal training and also conducted the live orchestra for the studio performance.
Titles and theme music composed by Tom McLeod, featuring Bella Kalolo
Amazing Extraordinary Friends
TV series 1, 2, 3; Drama-comedy:
© Greenstone Pictures 2006, 2007
WINNER "Special Prize" Seoul International Drama Awards 2011. WINNER Best children's /youth programme, Qantas Awards 2008, Finalist-Roma Fiction Festival International 2008.
Geeky teenager Ben Wilson discovers a mysterious insignia which turns him into the super-hero Captain Extraordinary. With a little help from his friends, Ben must do battle with the evil Nemesis Corporation and an assortment of comic villains.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Karma
Short Film: Drama
© Isola Productions 2005
Director: Damon Fepuleai
When Colin commits what he thinks is a harmless crime, he inadvertently sets in motion a chain of events and soon discovers that what goes around certainly does come around.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
The Killian Curse 2
TV Series; Children’s horror-comedy
© TVNZ/Flow Productions 2007
Director: Thomas Robins
21 curses. 21 students.1 undead principal with revenge on the curriculum... When the students of Killian High awaken a 100 year old curse, they must each defeat their own personalised demon or lose their soul. Creature designs by the Academy Award-winning team from WETA.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Maiden Voyage
Tele-Feature; Action
© Carlton America 2003
Director: Colin Budds
A relaxing security job on a pleasure cruise turns into a dangerous rescue mission, as Kyle Considine (Casper van Dien) battles to regain control of a hijacked ship, and free its passengers.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Secret Agent Men
TV series 1, 2; Drama-comedy:
© Greenstone Pictures 2003, 2004
WINNER Best Children's Programme - Qantas Media Awards; Finalist for Best Original Music - NZ Screen Awards
Teen secret agent Jack West and his friends must battle the forces of evil to save the world... and finish their homework.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Cut To: Music
Short Film Competition
Winning Film: "Eden" / Runner Up: "Beautiful as we are"
© Oran Franco 2008 / Dell McLeod 2008
Director: Oran Franco / Dell McLeod
Tom was commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to compose a 6 minute score for the innovative new short film competition CUT TO: MUSIC in which filmmakers were then required to create a film to fit the music.
The winning film Eden (below) was screened onstage during a concert at Auckland’s Aotea Centre in July 2008, and the orchestra performed the score live to picture - led by visiting Australian conductor Brett Kelly.
Music composed by Tom McLeod
Revelations
TV series; Family Drama
© Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment 2002
(AUDIO CLIP ONLY)
An anthology in which 16 year old Jess experiences a journey through life and time, interacting with people of all ages, walks of life and periods of history.
Arranged/Orchestrated by Tom McLeod
The Tribe
TV series; Teen Drama
© Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Ltd 2001
(AUDIO CLIP ONLY)
A failed scientific experiment has left the world without adults. With no one to guide, rule or protect them, the children must build a new world... in their own image.
Music composed by Raymond Thompson, Adam Thompson
Arranged/Orchestrated by Tom McLeod
Atlantis High
TV series; Drama comedy, teen spoof
© Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment 2002
(AUDIO CLIP ONLY)
16 year old nerd Giles Gordon, moves to Sunset Cove - a town that appears perfect in every way - apart from the wacky school teachers, secret agent classmates and an alien presence that nobody else seems to notice.
Arranged/Orchestrated by Tom McLeod