Known for Sound
Born in Texas, Belgium-based composer Nik Phelps has played with diverse musical artists, from Eric Johnson and Lou Rawls, Frank Sinatra and They Might Be Giants, to Frank Zappa Tony Bennett and Mary Martin. For over thirty years, he has created scores for films in a style that can best be described as rhythmic and witty, heartfelt but with an ironic sense of humor. He recorded with Tom Waits, playing on three films and five CDs. He has been scoring film since 1988, starting with the seminal San Francisco soundtrack group The Club Foot Orchestra, and has been working in the animation field since 1995, scoring for the animated CBS TV series The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat. In 1996 he founded the live film music project The Sprocket Ensemble, collaborating with animators such as Nina Paley, Bill Plympton, Lei Lei and Ivan Maximov. He also gives workshops on various topics, including sound for film, pitching performance techniques, and about unleashing the creative process.
Birthplace
San Antonio, Texas
Filmography
8 films


The Faithful Fish
2019 · 8m · BE
What would you do with a non-edible fish that lets itself fish indefinitely? The three children, John, Alice and Sally, on vacation at a Maine lake, reject the animal again and again. Adaptation of a short story by Peter F. Neumeyer.


Tabook
2016 · 3m · NL
While browsing the bookstore 19-year-old Gwen is unexpectedly drawn to a volume of kinky erotica, earning her disapproving glares from the other customers. Will Gwen follow her deepest desires or will she let her embarrassment restrain her?
Viewfinder
Viewfinder
2010 · 3m · LV
A blind man waits for the traffic light to turn green. He experiences visions that reveal his inner world and the emotions created by his blindness. With no connection to the real world, he lives in a dream within a dream.


Voyage au Champ de Tournesols
2010 · 4m · FR
5-year-old Nicolas has an accident while playing with his kite.


a cat without a name
2009 · 15m · CN
Cat with no Name is a short 15 minute long film, animated and produced by Antonio Costa Valente and Cineclube de Avanca the financial support of ICA and the executive production of Smarty Cool Studios , directed by Charlie Blue, The short movie was based on a book written by Natércia Rocha known for her great works, the author has left us with a vast collection of children’s literature. The original music is composed by musician Nik Phelps. The story revolves around a girl named Claudia who is about to celebrate her birthday when inside her awakens a strange curiosity of wanting to become a fly, to hear her parents’ thoughts, like this she could find out just exactly what she would be receiving on her birthday. The short film with many awards at various festivals worldwide.


The Additional Capabilities of the Snout
2008 · 5m · RU
The whole universe of characters Maximov, showing in this case the skills and talents they possess in their snouts.