Mateo Messina is an American composer perhaps best known for his soundtrack to the 2007 film ''

Juno Juno commonly refers to: *Juno (mythology), the Roman goddess of marriage and queen of the gods *Juno (film), ''Juno'' (film), 2007 Juno may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional characters *Juno, in the film ''Jenny, Juno'' *Ju ...

''. The film won a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media. Messina has scored over 50 feature films, short films, documentaries, and over 150 television episodes.

Early life

Growing up in Seattle, Messina was drawn to music and started playing piano at the age of three. He began composing early, premiering his first symphony at 23. He’s since written a total of 17 symphonies for LUMA Guild, with the proceeds of each premiere benefiting families at Seattle Children’s Hospital (totaling more than $1 million to date). He moved into writing music for film and television, stating that it is “like going to a different summer camp six to eight times every year. Each has its own style, its own discipline, shape, tone, characters, etc. You collaborate and move a mountain with a group of inspired people.”

Career

Messina’s diverse musical styles has been heard in film and on television alike. His provided a folksy, guitar-led score for Jason Reitman’s ''

'', contributing to soundtrack album’s Grammy win. He lifted the spirits of the dramedy ''

The Angriest Man in Brooklyn ''The Angriest Man in Brooklyn'' is a 2014 American comedy-drama film directed by Phil Alden Robinson and starring Robin Williams, Mila Kunis, Peter Dinklage, James Earl Jones, and Melissa Leo. It is a remake of the 1997 Israeli film ''The 92 Mi ...

''. His turned to funk-flavored music for the dark comedy ''

Butter Butter is a dairy product made from the fat and protein components of churned cream. It is a semi-solid emulsion at room temperature, consisting of approximately 80% butterfat. It is used at room temperature as a spread, melted as a condimen ...

'', and muzak versions of ’90s hits for ''

Young Adult A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...

''. Messina’s most recent work includes the action comedy ''

Barely Lethal ''Barely Lethal'' is a 2015 American action comedy film directed by Kyle Newman, written by John D'Arco, starring Hailee Steinfeld, Sophie Turner, Jessica Alba, Dove Cameron, and Samuel L. Jackson. Steinfeld stars as Agent 83, a teenage intellig ...

''. Messina regularly works on Reitman’s films; in addition to ''Juno'' and ''Young Adult'', he contributed to ''

Thank You For Smoking ''Thank You for Smoking'' is a 2005 American satirical black comedy film written and directed by Jason Reitman and starring Aaron Eckhart, based on the 1994 satirical novel of the same name by Christopher Buckley. It follows the efforts of Bi ...

'' and '' Up in the Air'', the R-rated comedy ''

Life Happens ''Life Happens'' (stylized as ''L!fe Happens'') is a 2011 American comedy film directed by Kat Coiro and written by Coiro and Krysten Ritter. The film stars Ritter, Kate Bosworth, Kristen Johnston, Geoff Stults, Jason Biggs, and Rachel Bilson. ...

'', and the sports drama '' From the Rough''. Messina’s television work includes the comedy series ''

Growing Up Fisher ''Growing Up Fisher'' is an American sitcom that began airing mid-season on NBC as part of the 2013–14 United States network television schedule. The semi-autobiographical single camera series was created by D. J. Nash. On January 10, 2014, ...

'', the high-seas adventure '' Crossbones'', lawyer comedy ''

Fairly Legal ''Fairly Legal'' is an American legal comedy-drama television series which aired on USA Network from January 20, 2011, to June 15, 2012. The series starred Sarah Shahi, Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams, Baron Vaughn, and Ryan Johnson. USA Netw ...

'', the mini-series ''

Harley and the Davidsons ''Harley and the Davidsons'' is a 2016 American television miniseries directed by Ciarán Donnelly and Stephen Kay, and co-written by Nick Schenk, Evan Wright and Seth Fisher which dramatizes the origins of motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davids ...

'', and the series ''

Perfect Couples ''Perfect Couples'' is an American sitcom television series that was originally broadcast by NBC. The half-hour romantic comedy was co-created by Jon Pollack and Scott Silveri and produced by Universal Media Studios. A sneak preview of the series ...

''. Messina is currently working on season 3 of Jason Reitman’s comedy series Casual, as well as season 2 of the comedy, '' Superstore''. He will also be coming back for a second season of the political comedy, ''

Graves A grave is a location where a dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is buried or interred after a funeral. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as grave ...

''.

Works

Messina is known for frequently collaborating with composer Rolfe Kent having provided additional music for ''Up in the Air'' (uncredited) and ''

''. Messina also provided source music as well as arranged Sanford and Son Theme for '' August: Osage County'' featuring original score by

Gustavo Santaolalla Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla (born 19 August 1951) is an Argentine musician, composer, and record producer. He is known for composing his film scores with his collaborator and acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu, which composed the ...

. As well, he has written additional music for such hits as '' Up in the Air'', ''

Thank You for Smoking ''Thank You for Smoking'' is a 2005 American satirical black comedy film written and directed by Jason Reitman and starring Aaron Eckhart, based on the 1994 satirical novel of the same name by Christopher Buckley. It follows the efforts of Bi ...

'', ''

'', and NBC's hit, ''

The Office ''The Office'' is a mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, first made in the United Kingdom, then Germany, and subsequently the United States. It has since been remade in ten other countries. The original series o ...

''. Also, since the age of 23, Mateo has written, produced, and premiered 15 symphonies. Each premiere has been a benefit concert for families at

Seattle Children's Hospital Seattle Children's, formerly Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, formerly Children's Orthopedic Hospital, is a children's hospital in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The hospital specializes in the care of infa ...

. To date, he and his team have raised over $1,000,000 for these children and their families. His recent works include ''

'', '' A Case of You'', ''

'', ''

Best Man Down ''Best Man Down'' is an American film written and directed by Ted Koland and starring Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Addison Timlin, and Tyler Labine. The film was primarily shot in the Twin Cities and premiered in the fall of 2012 at The Hamptons Int ...

'', ''

'', '' 3,2,1... Frankie Go Boom'', ''

And While We Were Here ''And While We Were Here'' is a 2012 American romantic drama film written and directed by Kat Coiro and starring Kate Bosworth, Jamie Blackley and Iddo Goldberg. It was filmed on the island of Ischia. The film premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film F ...

'', & ''

The Story of Luke ''The Story of Luke'' is a 2012 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Alonso Mayo. It is Mayo's first feature-length film and tells the story of Luke, a young man with autism who embarks on a quest for a job and a girlfriend. It s ...

''.

References

External links

* * *
The Symphony Guild
{{DEFAULTSORT:Messina, Mateo 1972 births American film score composers Living people American male film score composers