John Hermanson Scorces MTV’s UNDEREMPLOYED
October 15, 2012 by Screenmag
Minneapolis, MN/Venice, CA-based music company Egg Music co-owner/composer John Hermanson paints a musical backdrop of post-collegiate woes for the new hour-long scripted MTV series, Underemployed.
The show, debuting October 16th, picks up one year after the college graduation of five friends; a time when reality has set in and the youths struggle, often comically, to stay optimistic through the major life changes twentysomethings know too well. These include dead-end jobs, tyrannical bosses and romantic mishaps. Hermanson composed the original score for the series, produced by Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright (Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money).
Wright became a fan of Hermanson’s music after hearing Escalator, the second release by the songwriter/producer’s band, Alva Star. Soon after, Wright made contact and kept in touch with Hermanson after moving to Los Angeles and achieving Hollywood success with his television-writing debut on Six Feet Under, later contributing to episodes of Lost and Brothers & Sisters. Wright brought Hermanson on board for the Underemployed pilot, and once the series was green-lit, the two set out to create a musical aesthetic for this MTV series.
“We wanted the score to feel less forced and more like heartfelt songwriting,” says Hermanson. “I approached every cue as if it was an opportunity for a song. Something that could stand on its own.”
He worked closely with Wright to ensure that the music still maintained a sense soul and integrity while cultivating an overall Midwestern indie rock feel that would be appropriate for the show.