Photo by Kam Sylvestre
Hi there!
My name’s Phil Witmer. I’m a musician and writer currently based in Toronto, Canada. I do lots of other things, too, like film + TV directing as well as editing for both stories and professional copy.
As a composer
I specialize in expressive, multi-genre musical scores for film, TV + streaming, video games, and ads. From traditional piano and strings to sci-fi electronic soundscapes, from pensive, pulsing minimalism to epic, chest-beating crescendos, no mood or feel is out of my wheelhouse.
Here are some examples of what I can do:
HERE’S WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IN CONTEXT:
As a writer
My background is in arts, entertainment, and culture journalism, and I’ve been writing stories for virtually as long as I’ve been alive. I’ve published essays, interviews, and publicity bios for multiple clients. I’m also an uber-meticulous editor—not only with regards to copy standards but also structure and feel. I’ve always brought a creative and imaginative approach to professional-quality work; i.e. I like to have fun while also making sure the content aligns with whatever goals myself or my client has for it.
I’ve done words and stories for:
VICE
Worked as a staff writer for Noisey, VICE’s online music vertical, from 2016 to 2018. I wrote daily news blogs and long-form essays, conducted interviews, and hosted video content. I continued to work in a freelance capacity for the publication into 2019.
NEXT STOP + CBC GEM
Currently, I’m a co-creator, episode director, and story editor for NEXT STOP, a Canadian Screen Award-nominated comedy web series presented by Scarborough Pictures that's streaming on CBC’s Gem platform (I also compose original music for the show).
Canadian Screen Awards Nominee: Best Web Series, Fiction
Canadian Screen Awards Nominee: Best Direction, Web Series
Winner, Reelworld Film Awards: Best Producers
Neat stuff, but where is it coming from?
I’m still an emerging composer, but thanks to a decade-plus spent playing with bands and engineering for artists in Toronto’s independent music scene, I bring a modern viewpoint and real world, boots-on-the-ground experience to my work, and with it, a sense of playfulness and exploration combined with an appreciation for music theory and technical know-how.
In addition, I have a detailed knowledge of pop music in all genres, so writing and producing original songs in a pop format comes naturally to me, too. Does your project need a fictional 80s synth-funk track? A fizzy Tik-Tok trap banger that doesn’t actually exist? A break-up anthem performed by an in-universe 00s emo band? Whatever the style or era, it’s a joy for me to turn it into expert pastiche.
Right now, I’m seeking to work with other creators on projects that emphasize community and imaginative stoytelling in any medium. I am a passionate and intuitive worker, a quick learner, and I love to build as part of a team.