Finneas Aims for First Emmy with New TV Score
Oscar-winning creator shares his drive and release while scoring film, TV in an open chat.
Image: Instagram
Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Finneas O’Connell recently joined Score: The Podcast to explain why he thrives under pressure—and why he’s equally driven to finally finish a project and let it go. Best known for his songwriting wins alongside sister Billie Eilish, Finneas is now making waves in film and television scoring as he vies for his first Emmy nomination.
Finneas Talks Pressure And Process
In a caption posted to his Instagram, @finneas offered a peek behind the curtain: “I live for the pressure, but I’m equally motivated to finally get a project done and let go.” One image shows him leaning into a studio mic, headphones on, in mid-conversation, while another frames him laughing as he discusses scoring Alfonso Cuarón’s Apple TV+ series Disclaimer.
From Songwriter To Score Composer
Finneas Baird O’Connell, 25, has built a reputation as a multi-hyphenate talent. According to his biography, he earned his first Grammy at 21 for co-writing and producing Billie Eilish’s record-breaking debut album. He then ventured into composing original scores for projects like Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy (2021) and HBO’s The Fallout (2021).
On the podcast, Finneas describes the scoring process as a puzzle: translating character emotions into musical themes. “Every project demands a different voice,” he says. “With Disclaimer, I wanted to honor Alfonso’s cinematic vision while giving each character their own sonic identity.”
Securing An Emmy Nod
His work on Disclaimer marks a turning point. Finneas is now up for an Emmy in Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music—the first major TV scoring nomination of his career. An Emmy nod would add to his trophy case, which already includes an Academy Award win for Best Original Song (“No Time to Die”) and multiple Grammy statuettes.
Industry peers have praised his score for its haunting piano motifs and subtle orchestration, capturing the series’ tense family drama. Finneas credits much of the inspiration to Vienna Symphonic Library, which presents Score: The Podcast. He jokes that composing under a tight timeline “feels like a sprint”—but one he’s finally ready to cross.
Tuning In To Score: The Podcast
Score: The Podcast, available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major platforms, is hosted by music journalists and engineers who deep-dive into scoring techniques with acclaimed composers. In Finneas’ episode, listeners hear studio anecdotes, technical tips, and the personal stakes behind writing for a legendary director.
If you missed the premiere, the full episode is streaming now. Finneas encourages fans to subscribe and join the conversation—after all, he believes the best feedback often comes from unexpected corners.
As he balances chart-topping pop hits with high-profile scoring gigs, Finneas O’Connell continues to redefine what it means to be a modern composer. Whether he takes home Emmy gold or not, one thing is clear: he’s just getting started.
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