Meet Niccolò Pacella | Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Niccolò Pacella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niccolò, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Milan, Italy. Don Giovanni at La Scala Theatre, a landmark of the city and one of the most famous opera houses in the world is one of my earliest memories of experiencing live music. Early exposure to classical repertoire in particular played an important role in my upbringing. How I got to where I am today has always felt serendipitous to me. Considering the choices I’ve had to make along the way, the trajectory of my life could’ve been very different.

I began expressing an interest in music at an early age which didn’t go unnoticed by my family. Despite none of them being musicians themselves, they encouraged this endeavor. They couldn’t have anticipated it at the time, but eventually, my passion would lead me abroad. Perhaps knowing this, they would’ve thought twice about signing me up for my first music lesson.

My principal instrument is the saxophone although my first choice was the trumpet. Thanks to the lack of instructors at my elementary school, I fell in unforeseen love with the instrument that would lead me to the US. It fascinates me how the tools through which we study influence the way we hear music itself. As a composer, that has a direct correlation to the way we write.

When it was time to decide where to go to college, I had the opportunity to attend the Politecnico di Milano to study Computer Science. Despite the familial pressure to choose a more traditional and stable path, I moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music instead. It wasn’t an easy decision. It inevitably sprouted feelings of doubt and a great deal of stress, having to leave my family and friends. But it also sparked a sense of duty to honor their support.

I’ve always loved film and video games, but it was only at Berklee that I finally had the opportunity to explore the world of media scoring. Once I was introduced to it, I knew I had found my purpose. This became ever so clear to me after interning at Ennio Morricone’s, Forum Studios in Rome. It was July 6th, 2020. Maestro Morricone passed away the night before I stepped foot where he worked most of his life. I remember waking up to the news that day, and the surreal atmosphere that filled the studios where he made history. I remember walking through the halls and looking at all the legendary scores that were recorded there. There are no words to describe these moments.

Eventually, I graduated from Berklee and moved to Los Angeles, where I’m based today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Bleeding Fingers is the BAFTA-nominated & Emmy award-winning composer team behind Frozen Planet II, Planet Earth II, Prehistoric Planet, The Simpsons, and much more. It was founded by Hans Zimmer, Steve Kofsky, and Russell Emanuel, and is a joint venture between RCI Global and Extreme Music, the production music arm of Sony/ATV. Bleeding Fingers Music has curated an extraordinary roster of composers. Selected for their distinctive sonic talents, these composers collaborate seamlessly to produce exceptional original scores for both film and television. Our philosophy centers around the belief that true innovation arises from collaborative efforts, and in an environment that encourages the gifted to experiment fearlessly, and express their creativity, the result is extraordinary music.

Since joining I’ve had the privilege to hone my skills under the mentorship and supervision of Kara Talve, one of the leading composers at Bleeding Fingers. As part of her team, I was able to work on projects such as Baz Lhurman’s Faraway Downs, Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series Prehistoric Planet, and The Simpsons.

I am proud to have contributed additional music to the score for BBC’s Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator, as well as Hallmark Channel’s original Christmas movie, My Norwegian Holiday.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Work has been quite busy, and after almost two years of living in Los Angeles, there are still many places I have yet to explore!

But whenever I get a chance, I love going to the New Beverly, Landmark’s Nuart Theatre, and the Ted Mann and David Geffen Theater at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. They offer great programs and it’s something very different from the modern moviegoing experience.

The Hollywood Bowl is a must-see, and since I haven’t been able to go to the Walt Disney Concert Hall yet, I’d seize the opportunity and go with them!

Lastly, I’d take them to Colapasta in Santa Monica to make them feel at home. I can vouch for its authenticity!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my parents and the rest of my family. They are my strength and they give me the drive I need to improve every day. I will always be grateful to the teachers at Ricordi Music School in Milan, which is where I took that first music lesson. To Sean McMahon, chair of Berklee’s Film Scoring department, and all my professors at Berklee. To Marco Patrignani, CEO of Forum Studios, and the amazing people I met during my time in Rome. To the alumni community that I found here in LA, and everyone who offered their guidance and advice. The list goes on!

Website: niccolopacella.com

Instagram: @nico_pacella

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/niccolo-pacella/

Twitter: @nico_pacella

Facebook: www.facebook.com/niccolo.pacella

Image Credits
Cole Nelson colenelsonphotography@gmail.com