John Ottman is a renowned film composer and editor, holding dual distinctions in his profession. He has worked on numerous films, often taking on both editing and composing roles. His notable works include The Usual Suspects, X-Men 2, Superman Returns, Valkyrie, and Jack the Giant Killer, where he has demonstrated his remarkable ability to complete both tasks on the same films.
Born in San Jose, California, Ottman began his creative journey at a young age. He started writing and recording radio plays on cassette tapes, using his voice and sound effects to bring characters to life. He would often enlist the help of his neighborhood friends as cast members.
As he grew older, Ottman's interests shifted from audio productions to filmmaking. He converted his parents' garage into a movie studio, where he would produce science fiction films with elaborate sets and scores. By high school, his films had evolved into hour-long productions with large sets and lavish scores.
Ottman's talent and dedication earned him a place at USC film school, where he excelled in directing and editing courses. He received accolades for his direction of actors and editing skills, which impressed a graduate filmmaker who asked him to re-edit his thesis film. Ottman's work on the film won the student Academy Award, and he met Bryan Singer, a production assistant who would become a significant collaborator in his career.
Singer asked Ottman to edit a short film starring Ethan Hawke, and Ottman ended up co-directing the film, editing, and doing the sound design. He also edited Singer's first feature, Public Access, which received the Grand Jury Prize at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival.
Ottman's impressive work on Public Access led to his collaboration with Singer on The Usual Suspects, where he not only edited the film but also wrote the score. The film's complex editing and score received widespread acclaim, earning Ottman the British Academy Award for editing and a Saturn Award for his score.
Since then, Ottman has continued to work on numerous films, scoring and editing many projects, including X-Men 2, Superman Returns, Valkyrie, and Jack the Giant Killer. He has also made a brief foray into television, earning an Emmy nomination for his work on "Fantasy Island."
