Hi, I'm Charles Olins. I'm a versatile musician, composer, and producer with a career spanning session work for iconic artists, band collaborations, and scores for film and TV. Over the years I've collaborated with Cerrone on eight albums, directed music for large-scale live shows in France and Japan, and scored theatre, film, and television since 1990, bringing stories to life through sound.…

Charles Olins

PRO

Hi, I'm Charles Olins. I'm a versatile musician, composer, and producer with a career spanning session work for iconic artists, band collaborations, and scores for film and TV. Over the years I've collaborated with Cerrone on eight albums, directed music for large-scale live shows in France and Japan, and scored theatre, film, and television since 1990, bringing stories to life through sound.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Charles Olins. I’m a versatile musician, composer, and producer with a career spanning session work for iconic artists, band collaborations, and scores for film and TV.

Over the years I’ve collaborated with Cerrone on eight albums, directed music for large-scale live shows in France and Japan, and scored theatre, film, and television since 1990, bringing stories to life through sound.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Fluent
Italian
Beginner

Work Experience

Songwriter at Warner Chappell
January 1, 1991 - September 8, 2025
Moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and signed as songwriter to Warner Chappell; spent five years in LA developing film scoring; continued studio work with David Foster; recorded in France with Jacques Higelin, Kassav and Diane Dufresne.
Musical Director / Arranger at Cerrone
January 1, 1986 - Present
Long-term collaboration of over 25 years writing and arranging eight albums; Musical Director for large 'son et lumiere' shows in France and Japan, including Versailles and Live 8.
Composer / BBC Film & TV at BBC
January 1, 1990 - Present
1990 onwards began working exclusively in film and TV; scored first short The Ticket; assisted Cerrone on Dancing Machine; later engaged on documentary and drama projects for BBC and Channel 4.
Assistant / Collaborating Composer at Paul Buckmaster
January 1, 1995 - Present
1995 assisted Paul Buckmaster with the score to Terry Gilliam's Twelve Monkeys and Most Wanted (New Line Pictures).
Composer at Betty (Richard Murphey) & Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within
January 1, 1998 - Present
1998 composed first solo features Betty and Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within; also contributed to BBC/Channel 4 documentaries Mysteries of the Ancients, Growing up Wild, Looking after Jojo, & Myra: The Making of a Monster.
Clockwork Orange – Cirque d’Hiver (Paris) – Score at Marc Cerrone / Cirque d’Hiver
January 1, 2006 - Present
2006 created the score for a Paris production of A Clockwork Orange; adaptation by Alexandre Berdat/Nicholas Lager Laserre; script by Thierry Harcourt; starring Isabelle Pasco and Sagamore Stevenin.
Exposure – The Musical at Exposure – The Musical (London)
December 31, 2009 - September 8, 2025
2008-2009 created songs and score for London theatre production Exposure; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, directed by Phil Willmott, starring Michael Greco.
Scorer – The Mansion at Gaumont / Tony Datis
January 1, 2017 - Present
2017 scored Gaumont's The Mansion.
Composer – French Films at Divorce Club / Je te veux moi non plus / Les Bodins en Thaïlande
January 1, 2020 - Present
2020 Divorce Club; 2021 Les Bodins en Thaïlande; TV: Le Talisman (2020); Morning Night (2021).
Morning Night – TV Series at Morning Night / Le Talisman / Frerots
December 31, 2021 - September 8, 2025
2020-2021, TV mini-series and comedy/drama series Morning Night (France).
Les Infaillibles – Film Score at Frederic Forestier
January 1, 2024 - Present
2024 Les Infaillibles was #1 streaming film on Amazon in France.
Les Bodins department en Vrille – Film Score at Frederic Forestier
January 1, 2025 - Present
2025 Les Bodins department en Vrille, sequel to Les Bodins en Thailande.
Songwriter at Warner Chappell Music
December 31, 1991 - September 25, 2025
Signed as songwriter; spent five years in Los Angeles pursuing the art of film scoring; maintained studio work as a keyboard/synthesizer player for David Foster; recorded in France with various artists.
Session musician (Keyboards/Synthesizers) at David Foster Production
December 31, 1991 - September 25, 2025
Played keyboards and synthesizers for renowned producer David Foster; contributed to various projects in LA.
Composer/Scorer at BBC
January 1, 1990 - Present
Began working exclusively in film and TV; scored multiple television commercials and documentaries for the BBC.
Composer at The Ticket
December 31, 1990 - September 25, 2025
Scored the short feature The Ticket (Dir. Richard Murphey). Assisted on other Cerrone-related scoring projects including Dancing Machine.
Assistant/Collaborator at Marc Cerrone
December 31, 1995 - September 25, 2025
Assisted on scores such as Dancing Machine; contributed to Cerrone's score repertoire.
Composer at Paul Buckmaster
December 31, 1995 - September 25, 2025
Assisted Buckmaster with the score to Terry Gilliam's Twelve Monkeys and Most Wanted (New Line Pictures).
Composer at Betty
December 31, 1998 - September 25, 2025
Composed the first solo feature Betty (Dir Richard Murphey).
Composer at Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within
December 31, 1998 - September 25, 2025
Composed score for Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (Dir John Mackenzie).
BBC/Channel 4 Composer at BBC & Channel 4
January 1, 1998 - Present
Engaged for documentaries and drama projects; Mysteries of the Ancients, Growing up Wild, Looking after Jojo (BBC - Dir John Mackenzie), Myra: The making of a Monster.
Composer at Marc Cerrone
December 31, 2006 - September 25, 2025
Created the score for a Paris production of A Clockwork Orange at Cirque d'Hiver.
Composer/Songwriter at Exposure - The Musical
December 31, 2009 - September 25, 2025
Created songs and score for London theatre production; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Composer/Scorer at Gaumont
December 31, 2017 - September 25, 2025
Scored The Mansion (Dir. Tony Datis) (2017).
Composer at Les Infaillbles
January 1, 2024 - Present
Les Infaillbles (Dir. Frederic Forestier); #1 streaming film in France.
Keyboardist / Arranger at Yes
December 31, 1983 - September 25, 2025
Recorded on the classic album 90125, produced by Trevor Horn.
Musical Artist / Band Member at Esquire (ZTT)
January 1, 1986 - September 25, 2025
Signed recording and publishing deals with Trevor Horn / ZTT; recorded 1 album for Geffen.
Songwriter at Warner Chappell Music
January 1, 1991 - September 25, 2025
Moved to Los Angeles, signed as songwriter; spent 5 years in LA acquiring the basics of film scoring; worked as a session musician for David Foster and recorded in France with artists including Jaques Higelin, Kassav and Diane Dufresne.
Musical Director / Arranger at Cerrone
January 1, 2015 - September 25, 2025
Formed a long-term collaboration writing and arranging 8 albums; Musical Director for large 'son et lumiere' shows in France and Japan, including Versailles and Live 8.
Piano / String Arranger at Various UK Artists
January 1, 2000 - September 25, 2025
Played piano and created string arrangements for Martin Fry (ABC), Tom Jones and Tina Turner.
Composer / Scorer at BBC / Film & TV
December 31, 1994 - September 25, 2025
Began working exclusively in film and TV; scored commercials and documentaries for the BBC; first short feature The Ticket; assisted Marc Cerrone with Dancing Machine.
Assistant / Collaborator at Paul Buckmaster / New Line Pictures
December 31, 1995 - September 25, 2025
Assisted with the score to Terry Gilliam's Twelve Monkeys and Most Wanted.
Composer at Betty; Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within
December 31, 1998 - September 25, 2025
Composed scores for Betty (Dir Richard Murphey) and Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (Dir John Mackenzie).
Composer / Documentary Scoring at BBC / Channel 4
January 1, 2003 - September 25, 2025
Engaged by the BBC, Channel 4 and others with documentary and drama; projects included Mysteries of the Ancients, Growing Up Wild, Looking After Jojo, Myra: The Making of a Monster.
Composer / Score at Marc Cerrone (Cirque d'Hiver)
December 31, 2006 - September 25, 2025
Created score for a Paris production of A Clockwork Orange at Cirque d'Hiver.
Composer / Songwriter at Exposure - The Musical
December 31, 2009 - September 25, 2025
Created songs and score for London theatre production Exposure; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre.
Scorer at Gaumont - The Mansion
December 31, 2017 - September 25, 2025
Scored Gaumont's The Mansion (Dir Tony Datis).
Composer at Divorce Club
December 31, 2020 - September 25, 2025
Composed music for Divorce Club (France, 2020).
Composer at Les Bodins en Thailande
December 31, 2021 - September 25, 2025
Music for Les Bodins en Thailande (France, 2021).
Composer at Le Talisman
December 31, 2020 - September 25, 2025
Score for fantasy mini-series Le Talisman (2020).
Composer at Morning Night
December 31, 2021 - September 25, 2025
Music for comedy/drama series Morning Night (2021).
Documentary Scoring at Dieuleveult / Uderzo Projects
December 31, 2023 - September 25, 2025
Documentaries including Dieuleveult, les disparus du fleuve and Uderzo, sur le divan d’Asterix.
Composer at Morning Night (Season 2) / BDE
December 31, 2023 - September 25, 2025
Second season of Morning Night (France) and feature comedy BDE (2023).
Composer at Les Infaillbles
December 31, 2024 - September 25, 2025
Les Infaillbles was #1 streaming film on Amazon in France (2024).
Composer at Les Bodins department en Vrille
January 1, 2025 - Present
Sequel to Les Bodins en Thailande (2025).
Songwriter at Warner Chappell Music
January 1, 1991 - September 25, 2025
Moved to Los Angeles, signed as songwriter, spent five years in LA gaining film scoring insight; played keyboards/synthesizers for David Foster; recorded in France with Jacques Higelin, Kassav, and Diane Dufresne.
Musical Director / Arranger at Cerrone
January 1, 1986 - Present
Formed a long-term working relationship (~25 years) writing and arranging eight albums; Musical Director for large 'son et lumiere' shows in France and Japan, including Versailles and Live 8.
Session Musician - Piano & String Arrangements at UK Artists (ABC, Tom Jones, Tina Turner)
January 1, 1990 - Present
Piano and string arrangements for Martin Fry (ABC), Tom Jones, and Tina Turner.
Film & TV Composer / Scorer at Self / Various
January 1, 1990 - Present
From 1990 onwards focused on film and TV; BBC commercials; scored The Ticket; assisted Cerrone with Dancing Machine; worked on Twelve Monkeys scoring assistance, Myra: The Making of a Monster, etc.
Theatre Music – Exposure: The Musical at Exposure - The Musical
January 1, 2009 - September 25, 2025
Created songs and score for London theatre production; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Cirque d'Hiver Paris – A Clockwork Orange ( score ) at Marc Cerrone production
January 1, 2006 - Present
Score for a Paris production of A Clockwork Orange at Cirque d'Hiver; adaptation by Berdat and Lager Laserre; script by Thierry Harcourt.
Film & TV Scoring – Gaumont The Mansion at Gaumont
January 1, 2017 - Present
Scored Gaumont's The Mansion (Dir. Tony Datis).
Film Scoring – French Productions at Various
January 1, 2020 - Present
Composed for Divorce Club (2020), Les Bodins en Thailande (2021); TV mini-series Le Talisman (2020), Morning Night (2021); BDE (2023); Morning Night season 2; etc.
Les Infaillbles – Feature Film at Dir. Frederic Forestier
January 1, 2024 - Present
Score for Les Infaillbles; #1 streaming film on Amazon in France (2024).
Les Bodins department en Vrille – Feature/Sequel at Dir. Frederic Forestier
January 1, 2025 - Present
Completed 2025 sequel to Les Bodins en Thailande (2021).
Music Producer / Arranger at Friends The Musical Parody
January 1, 2023 - Present
Arranged, orchestrated and produced all the music (songs and incidental music).
Songwriter / Recording Artist at Esquire (Trevor Horn / ZTT)
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1991
Signed recording and publishing deals as a member of Esquire; recorded 1 album for Geffen Records.
Film & TV Composer / Musician at Self-employed / BBC & BBC-related projects
January 1, 1990 - November 19, 2025
Began working exclusively in film and TV in 1990, scoring multiple BBC commercials and documentaries; first short feature The Ticket and collaboration on Dancing Machine.
Composer / Arranger / Musical Director at Marc Cerrone
December 31, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Wrote and arranged eight Cerrone albums; acted as Musical Director for large 'son et lumiere' shows in France and Japan, including Versailles and Live 8.
BBC / Channel 4 – Film & TV Composer at BBC / Channel 4
December 31, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Created music for documentaries and dramas; scored shorts and features including Betty and Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within.
Solo Film Composer at Self-employed
December 31, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Composed Betty (1998) and Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (1998); pursued independent film scoring work.
Composer / Scorer at Various (France/UK)
December 31, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Scored projects including The Mansion (Gaumont, 2017), Les Infaillibles (2024, Gaumont) and other French features; collaborated on music for Television and theatre.
Composer / Musician – Theatre & Screen at Exposure – The Musical / Friends The Musical Parody
December 31, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Created songs and score for London theatre production Exposure (staged 2016) and arranged/orchestrated/produced music for Friends The Musical Parody.
Scorer / Music Producer at Les Infaillibles / Les Bodins department en Vrille
January 1, 2024 - November 19, 2025
Scored Les Infaillibles (2024) and ongoing work on Les Bodins department en Vrille (2025) for French audiences.
Composer / Songs & Score at Exposure - The Musical, London
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
Created songs and score for the London theatre production Exposure - The Musical; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Film and TV Composer at Various
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, composed scores for over 40 feature films including 12 Monkeys, Shaka Zulu: The Citadel, The Mansion, Divorce Club, Les Bodins en Thailande (#1 at the French Box office), Les Infaillibles and Les Bodins department en Vrille. Television projects included two seasons of Steven Seagal’s True Justice, five Jasper the Mule cartoons, and Looking after Jojo (BBC - Dir John Mackenzie).
Composer / Songwriter at Exposure – The Musical
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009
Created songs and score for London theatre production Exposure-The Musical; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Film and TV Composer at Independent / Freelance
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, produced scores for over 40 feature films including 12 Monkeys, Shaka Zulu: The Citadel, The Mansion, Divorce Club, BDE, Les Bodins en Thaïlande, Les Infaillibles, and Les Bodins department en Vrille; TV projects including Steven Seagal’s True Justice (2 seasons), Jasper the Mule (5 cartoon films), and Looking after Jojo (BBC). Also produced TV commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation, and BluRay; French TV work includes Le Talisman, Frerots, and Morning Night.
Theatre Composer / Songwriter at Exposure-The Musical (London)
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2016
Created songs and score for the London theatre production Exposure-The Musical; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Film & TV Composer at Freelance / Self-employed
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990 I have composed scores for 40+ feature films (e.g., 12 Monkeys) and numerous TV projects; produced TV commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation and BluRay; contributed to French TV projects Le Talisman, Frerots, and Morning Night; documentaries incl. Dieuleveult and Uderzo; Arranged and produced music for Friends The Musical Parody.
Composer / Songwriter at Exposure - The Musical
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
Created songs and score for the London theatre production Exposure - The Musical; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Film and TV Composer
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990; scored over 40 feature films including 12 Monkeys, Shaka Zulu: The Citadel, The Mansion, Divorce Club, BDE, Les Bodins en Thaïlande (#1 at the French Box Office), Les Infaillibles, and Les Bodins department en Vrille; television projects including 2 seasons of Steven Seagal’s True Justice, Jasper the Mule (5 cartoon films), Looking After Jojo (BBC, Dir John Mackenzie); produced TV commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation and BluRay; French TV projects include Le Talisman, Frerots, Morning Night (2 seasons); documentaries such as Dieuleveult, les disparus du fleuve, and Uderzo, sur le divan d’Asterix.
Composer / Songwriter for Exposure – The Musical at Exposure – The Musical (London)
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2016
Created songs and score for the London theatre production; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre.
Film & TV Composer at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, composed scores for over 40 feature films (including 12 Monkeys) and numerous television projects; produced music for commercials and French TV; arranged/orchestrated music for Friends The Musical Parody.
Film & TV Composer at Self/Various Clients
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, scored over 40 feature films and TV projects including 12 Monkeys, Shaka Zulu: The Citadel; The Mansion; Divorce Club; Les Bodins en Thaïlande; True Justice; Jasper the Mule; Looking after Jojo; and commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation and BluRay.
Film and TV Composer at Independent / Self-employed
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, composed scores for over 40 feature films including 12 Monkeys, Shaka Zulu: The Citadel, The Mansion, Divorce Club, Les Bodins en Thaïlande (#1 at the French Box Office), Les Infaillibles, and Les Bodins department en Vrille; TV projects include Steven Seagal's True Justice (2 seasons), Jasper the Mule (5 cartoon films), Looking after Jojo (BBC, dir John Mackenzie); TV commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation and BluRay; French TV projects including Le Talisman, Frerots, Morning Night (2 seasons); and documentaries such as Dieuleveult, les disparus du fleuve and Uderzo, sur le divan d’Asterix. Arranged, orchestrated and produced all music for Friends The Musical Parody.
Songs and Score Composer at Exposure: The Musical (London)
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2016
Created songs and score for London theatre production Exposure; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre.
Film and TV Composer at Self-/Various
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, produced scores for over 40 feature films including 12 Monkeys; TV work including Steven Seagal’s True Justice, Jasper the Mule, Looking After Jojo; commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony Playstation and BluRay; French TV projects; Friends The Musical Parody.
Composer / Theatre at Exposure - The Musical (London)
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
Created songs and score for Exposure-The Musical; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London.
Film & TV Composer
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, scored over 40 feature films including 12 Monkeys, Shaka Zulu: The Citadel, The Mansion, Divorce Club, BDE, Les Bodins en Thaïlande (#1 at the French Box Office), Les Infaillibles, and Les Bodins department en Vrille; TV work includes Steven Seagal’s True Justice, Jasper the Mule series, Looking after Jojo, plus commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation and BluRay. Also contributed to French TV projects Le Talisman, Frerots, and Morning Night; arranged and produced music for Friends The Musical Parody.
Theatre Composer at Exposure - The Musical
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2016
Created songs and score for Exposure - The Musical; staged in 2016 at St James Theatre, London (development work in 2008/2009).
Film & TV Composer at Self-employed
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, produced scores for over 40 feature films (including 12 Monkeys, The Mansion, etc.) and TV projects (Steven Seagal’s True Justice, Jasper the Mule, Looking after Jojo), plus TV commercials for Porsche, Samsung, Land Rover, Sony PlayStation, and BluRay; French TV projects and documentaries; arranged and produced music for Friends The Musical Parody; ongoing and upcoming animation projects.
Film and TV Composer at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 1990 - Present
Since 1990, composing scores for over 40 feature films and many TV projects, including 12 Monkeys and True Justice.

Education

Add your educational history here.

Qualifications

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other, Education
    paper Les Bodins en Thailande

    Composer / Orchestrator / Programmer

    This film required around 60 minutes of orchestral and some electronic music. It was the #1 box office movie in France for a period when it first came out