Studio Soundtracks takes listeners behind the scenes of how music is crafted for film and television by hearing directly from composers, songwriters and music professionals in the Entertainment Industry. Listen to inspiring conversations about composition and hear works from Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar-winning film scores on the show.

Lorne Balfe has created music in virtually all genres and for all visual media with projects ranging from major studio to independent films, tent pole video game franchises, beloved animated feature films, critically acclaimed television series, and documentary features. 

Originally from Inverness, Scotland, Lorne's love of music and writing was evident from an early age. His childhood home had a residential recording studio where the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Inner Circle would record - the latter of which he serendipitously worked with for his score to BAD BOYS FOR LIFE. 

At the age of thirteen he auditioned to be a percussionist with the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra, becoming their youngest member, and traveled around Scotland with them professionally. It became clear to Lorne that he wanted to become a film composer and in his late teens he started writing letters to other composers in the hope of an opportunity. It was then he decided to move to the U.S, and soon his exceptional career took off. 

Consistently receiving accolades for his musical compositions, most notably for his score in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT (Paramount Pictures) directed by Christopher McQuarrie and widely regarded as the most successful installment of the franchise. Further cementing his role in the series, he returned to compose the music for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING, Part One, released in July 2023. 

Demonstrating his remarkable versatility, Balfe scored the Netflix nature docuseries LIFE ON OUR PLANET, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman. Lorne returned to score the follow-up series THE DINOSAURS which was released in March 2026 and secured the number 1 spot on Netflix Most Watched shows around the world, and a 100% score on rotten tomatoes. More of Lorne's work can be heard in Oscar nominated TOP GUN: MAVERICK (Paramount) which garnered 1.488 billion in the global box office. Lorne served as Score Producer and collaborated with Hans Zimmer, Harold Faltermeyer, and Lady Gaga on the music for the iconic film. In September 2024, the blockbuster movie was brought to life as a spectacular live show, with Balfe conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra before an audience of 5,000 at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. In August 2026, this live show will make its Los Angeles debut at the iconic Hollywood Bowl with Lorne returning as conductor. 

Other notable credits include: THE NAKED GUN (Paramount), NOVOCAINE (Paramount), CARRY ON (Netflix), BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE (Sony), BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (Netflix), BLACK WIDOW (Disney/Marvel), and beloved British stop motion animation; WALLACE & GROMIT (Aardman Animations).