In this episode of the 1st on Film Podcast, we sit down with composer Tyler Strickland to talk about his work on the acclaimed documentary John Candy: I Like Me.
Currently nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special, the film celebrates the life, career, and enduring legacy of beloved Canadian comedy icon John Candy.

Tyler takes us behind the music, discussing how he approached creating a score for a story so deeply connected to Canadian culture and Candy’s larger-than-life personality. We talk about finding the emotional balance between comedy, nostalgia, family, and grief, the challenges of scoring archival footage, and how music can help tell the story of someone who meant so much to generations of audiences.
We also dive into Tyler’s creative process, his approach to documentary scoring, and what it means to have his work recognized with an Emmy nomination.