Operation Hero

The 10-part series, hosted by Dayna Vawdrey (Studio 2), features six 12-year-olds on the adventure of a lifetime. The players are told of the deeds of a real-life hero and then must compete in two huge challenges inspired by the hero’s actions and courage.

I composed the music for the series over the last month or so and I have to say that it was a huge amount of fun to be able to make such 'over-the top' hero action beds and themes. Essentially I made a large music library for the show, although some sequences were scored to picture every week.

You can hear the prelude and main title cue here.

I think that the kids involved in the show are just amazing throughout the series. They jump out of planes,  abseil down high sheer walls, crawl through mud, put out fires, swim with sharks...it looked like crazy stuff to do...just crazy.

The fact that all of these challenges are based on the exploits and/or challenges faced by New Zealanders in the past is such a great integration of history too. The first episode was based on the great Nancy Wake who passed away before the show went to air. She was truly an extraordinary person. I remember hearing an incredible interview with her on Radio New Zealand a few years back and being astounded at her exploits and insights into her work as a resistance fighter during World War 2. She said, after receiving the Companion of the Order of Australia medal in 2004:

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