Creating Themes

[ivinelee]

Hello. I am curious how often a composer like yourself is able to take a past idea or melody and apply it in a new film project. For example, when approaching a score such as the Bourne series, how much of the creativity is new versus melodies you may already have in your library, prior to the project?

The Bourne Supremacy is one of my favorite scores that I never get tired of listening to.

Thank you for taking time for these questions.

[John Powell]

I try and write new material for every movie - in fact I'm contractually obliged to do so.... however, I think that in the heat of battle, one sometimes falls back into a position of comfort? In other words, film composers are somewhat famous for repeating themselves.