Film Biz Chat: One on One with Composer Allen Simpson

Allen Simpson is a composer/songwriter with credits in a wide range of projects and genres. He’s written songs for The Simpsons, including “NC-17 Halloween” from the Emmy®-nominated episode “Halloween of Horror.” He was composer for Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (VG) and wrote music for The Sarah Silverman Program, Jack Black’s Tenacious D: Hell O’Clock News, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (VG), Man Seeking Woman, and more. 

Allen is the composer and co-lyricist for the Saturn Award®-winning musical Fellowship! the Musical, a musical parody of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. He has also played keyboards and guitar with numerous improv comedy groups in Los Angeles including The Groundlings, ComedySportz, and Impro Theatre, and he was Wayne Brady’s touring keyboardist for several years.

In addition to writing music, Allen is also an acting and story consultant for animation studios. Recent credits include the DreamWorks films Kung Fu Panda 4, Trolls Band Together, and The Bad Guys, in addition to several other films and television shows in development. Allen is currently working on DreamWorks’ Dog Man and The Bad Guys 2 and has also consulted with Pixar, Disney, Blue Sky, and The Third Floor, among others. 

Allen is also a voice director, having directed on Game of Thrones (VG) and Tales from the Borderlands (VG) for Telltale Games, Rival Peak (VG) with Wil Wheaton for Facebook Watch, and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (VG) for Steel Wool Studios.