A pleasure to work with — Simon is a thoughtful, dedicated collaborator, always responsive to the director’s needs.

Mary Harron + John C. Walsh | director
| AMERICAN PSYCHO | SONNET FOR A TOWNCAR | PIPEDREAM | I SHOT ANDY WARHOL | ED’S NEXT MOVE | THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE

Simon’s a joy to work with and his music is brilliant.

Dennis Lee | director | FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN | JESUS HENRY CHRIST 

Simon was an absolute joy to work with and an incredible creative collaborator. As a director, you rarely feel that others have the same level of passion and commitment for your film that you do; with Simon, however, it was absolutely clear from the start that he would do whatever necessary to ensure the best possible score for the film, pushing both himself and the creative process to the limit. Simon’s method of working involves a long period of jointly developing a detailed temp score, which provides an ideal platform for collaboration and the exchange of ideas. I found right from the start that Simon was uniquely able to understand my vision for the film and communicate with me effectively, while also allowing his own prodigious musical imagination to create an amazing score. In addition to writing incredibly beautiful and moving music that always worked to support the story–and never competed with it–Simon was incredibly diligent about continuing to push and revise the score, never stopping the improvement process until we were ready to record.
Simon worked within every limit there was–whether it be time, money, our limited ability to hire live players–yet always ensured that the score would not be limited by any of these factors. He was resourceful, inspired, dedicated, and filled with a passion for the story that equaled my own. As for the final score, I could not be more delighted with it, and feel it is one of the strongest creative elements of the film. I would recommend Simon without hesitation for any film project, and only hope that more directors have the privilege and opportunity of working with a composer as talented and committed as Simon is!

Daniel Ragussis | director | HABER | WORD IS BOND

Simon is a genuine artist true to his voice with his colorful palette of sounds, samples, and beats. With a brushstroke along the staff, he adds texture, depth, and dimension to the flat celluloid. He mixes, he stirs, and he experiments. The science of art explodes to provide a harmonious marriage of music and image. Collaboration at its best – I’m an addict!

Caryn Waechter | director | GOD IS GOOD | SISTERHOOD OF NIGHT

Simon’s vigor, sensitivity, and eye for detail have been a great gift, both professionally and personally. Finding the right people is always a key challenge when bringing a film to life and finding Simon has been one of the best things that happened to Harrow Island, the film we collaborated on. Using an array of styles to create his complex melody lines, Simon’s harmonies are contemplative yet unpredictable, simultaneously ingenious and humble, they are soundscapes.

Anja Marquardt | director/producer | HARROW ISLAND | THANKSGIVING | NINE LIVES

I am not a religious man, but I pray for creative collaborators like Simon. His process of creation begins long before the cameras roll, and he is right there with the filmmakers on the journey to making the best possible work, contributing mightily with his musical inventiveness and vision every step of the way. I have rarely met someone as generous, bold, and dedicated to his craft. And in an industry where there are enough obstacles placed in the way to harmonious collaboration, Simon is a welcome antidote, and a major talent to be recognized. I can assure you he is always at the top of my list for any project that requires the creativity and compassion of a true music professional.
Alex Twersky | producer | ASYLUM SEEKERS | GOD IS GOOD | HABER

Simon is a pleasure to work with on every level. He matches his unwavering professionalism with his unique voice as an artist. He is a totally dedicated collaborator, constantly challenging and expanding the world of the film.

Chadd Harbold | director/producer | DEAD & LOVELY | ASSHOLE | REVENGE FOR JOLLY

Simon is a passionate, interesting musician who gets inside the filmmaker’s head so that his music helps you tell the story. I truly enjoyed Simon’s willingness to aim for subtlety and think outside the box to compose a score that isn’t your typical “movie music.” Simon is particularly good with combining instruments with abstract sounds to create tone and expose the psychology and emotions of the characters. In addition to all this, Simon is a great guy to work with, and his studio facility rocks.

Francisco Ordonez | director | ST. PAUL | COOKIE | WORD IS BOND

Simon is among the rare breed able to think outside the box. He creates intricate, meaty compositions of layers and textures marked by spellbinding subtlety. For the film we worked on together, he was not only a genius at translating my abstract ideas into sounds that worked for the project but he was also a master at bringing together a haunting soundtrack with a real presence of its own. Simon saw the slow pace of the film as a way to build a complex feeling of tension and suspense thereby keeping the viewer firmly engrossed. I would be lucky to have another project that allows me to work with him again.

Katherine Allen | director | THE ENCHANTING BOX

Working with Simon Taufique was a true pleasure. Exhausted and spent from a challenging production, I wasn’t sure if there was anything else I could add to the film. Luckily, that is when Simon stepped in. Before he committed a single note, we sat down on numerous occasions to discuss the characters and themes of the film. He listened when I had suggestions, and for the times I came up blank (often enough) he brought fresh, original ideas. Through his eyes and ears, my relationship with the film and its characters was revived, and I was thrilled with the added dimension his music lent to the story. My collaboration with Simon was fulfilling and inspiring on both a professional and personal level, and I look forward to working with him again.

Mary Haas | director | CAROLINE BY COMMITTEE