Dickson first worked with show creator Matt
Nix back in 1999 on a children's short film made for the fXM cable channel, First
Prince. Nix called him again for his next
short, Me and the Big Guy, which
went on to air on the Sci-Fi network for several years.
The scores for Burn Notice help propel each episode, transitioning from action to suspense,
comedy to romance, and delving into a wide range of emotions. Dickson's scores
range from 60's funk to contemporary techno to salsa. He uses MOTU Digital
Performer 5, Digidesign Pro Tools|HD3 and a Control 24 worksurface, as well as
Waves plug-ins and Neumann mics.
"Working on Burn Notice
has been a terrific gig on every level," notes the composer. "I really enjoy
'living' with the characters for one thing. It's a challenge creating a score that supports the ongoing
saga of Michael and his cohorts while also incorporating a wide variety of
additional styles and sounds to support the ever-changing plot and characters
each week, but that's what makes it so much fun. The writing/production team for the show is great, and I've
got amazing musicians, mixers, and editors to work with."
In addition to Burn Notice, Dickson is busy with a number of additional projects. He recently
completed scores for Mark Lester's Lost Colony, Sci-Fi Channel's Alien Versus Alien, and arrangements for General Hospital:
Night Shift.