Music is an essential part of most films and a local knows that well-made music greatly enhances the plot.

Zack Leffew is the composer who composed the score for “The Forge,” a film set to be released on August 23. “The Forge” tells the story of a young man who is challenged to pursue a better path in life and, with the help of a mentor, his mother and a prayer warrior, begins to discover God’s purpose for his life, according to a synopsis for the film.

Leffew, who leads music and worship at Mountain West Church in Stone Mountain, said that when developing the music for the film, he spent a lot of time with director Alex Kendrick to figure out what he wanted musically. He then worked in the studio at his Lawrenceville home to create the music using technology, software and his knowledge and skill with instruments. The process was completed in six weeks of 18- to 20-hour days, according to Leffew, and typically takes 12 to 16 weeks to complete.

Leffew is no stranger to the industry, having worked in various capacities on music for 13 television shows, films and shorts, including “Turbulent,” “Misguided Behavior” and “A Murder of Innocence.”

Leffew was a lifelong musician who first played trumpet at age 8 and learned guitar at age 12. He was a member of the Atlanta Boy Choir in his youth and toured Asia and Europe with the group for years. He said he was part of his church’s music ministry team for most of his life.

Although Leffew attended Berklee College of Music and earned degrees in composition, production and music theory, he said it was his relationship with award-winning composer Paul Mills that gave him his breakthrough into composing music for major film projects.

“Music making is a difficult niche industry,” said Leffew. “It’s hard to get your foot in the door.”

Leffew, 32, said The Forge’s message of mentoring and discipleship was similar to his relationship with Mills. He describes Mills as “insanely generous” and said Mills brought him along to assist on other film projects, which led to Leffew meeting filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, creators of the 2015 film War Room.

Leffew said that when composing film music, you have to “know” what musical scenes need and not create anything that is too subtle or too obvious. In “spotting sessions,” he and the director would watch the film second by second, discuss possibilities, and he would create preliminary music that eventually evolved into the final score.
“It was an incredible experience to have my music played by a large string orchestra and brass section,” said Leffew, adding that the 123-minute film includes 80 minutes of music in total.

“The music should really be there to enhance a feeling,” he said. “Film music should really evoke emotion.”

In the coming weeks, Leffew, who has seen the film about 100 times at various stages of its completion, will attend a premiere in Atlanta and a gathering with his wife, friends and family at a movie theater at the Mall of Georgia.

On a recent Sunday, Mo Huggins, senior pastor of the Mountain West Church, announced that the church would rent a local movie theater to show the film and invited parishioners to sign up for free tickets. The tickets sold out within hours.

“I wanted Zack to know that his church supports him,” Huggins said. “I believe in giving people flowers when they can smell and feel them.”

The pastor added: “He is proof that if you invest in the people you have, you can become something great. He is a homegrown talent.”

Leffew said this project is a milestone in his career and he is honored by it.

“God gave me this opportunity. To God all the glory,” Leffew said.

When asked how he envisions his career, Leffew said he puts everything in God’s hands. “I want His will to be done and not mine.”

“I hope there will be more film music. I will be prepared.”