Film.Music.Media

All Access: Henry Jackman (January 31, 2017) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
Henry Jackman returns as a guest on Film.Music.Media, this time for an All Access interview that takes us through his entire career including his approach for Kong: Skull Island. Hear how Henry found his path to becoming a film composer by finding a passion in traditional classical music as well as hard electronic rave music in Europe. Henry talks about his time working in pop music and how Hans Zimmer ended up convincing him to move to Los Angeles and pursue film composing. We cover a variety of topics including how to work with demanding directors like Paul Greengrass, where the first note comes from, dealing with criticism, composing for Disney and Marvel, and much more. So pour a glass of Scotch and enjoy the fine charm and humor of the great Henry Jackman.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Henry JackmanMatt JustmannRay CostaAndrew P. AldereteCosta Communications

All Access: Dominic Lewis - Episode 2 (January 9, 2017) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
It's 10pm at Remote Control Productions, the clock is ticking, and composer Dominic Lewis has to make the finishing touches on his score for The Man In The High Castle: Season 2. Join us on this episode of All Access where we take a completely different approach by simply watching Dom work his magic. Get an amazing and unprecedented look as we sit down next to Dom in the final hours before the score is delivered, and get a first-hand look at the mammoth undertaking of writing a score for a rich and detailed TV series like The Man In The High Castle. Dom plays host and will entertain you with his charm and wit as he goes through his thought process and workflows in an All Access episode that is sure to delight and educate in equal measure.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Dominic LewisDaniel Futcher

All Access: John Hawkes (January 2, 2017) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
In this very special episode of All Access we sit down with Oscar-nominated actor and musician John Hawkes. John is mostly known for his work as one of the finest character actors of his generation, but his passions and talents reach beyond film as music has been part of his life from his youth up till now. We sit down and explore John's path to acting and music. John goes into amazing detail about his acting methods and approaches to some of his most memorable roles. John discusses his latest film, Too Late which was shot on 35mm and filmed in five 20-minute single takes. John also wrote the original song "Down With Mary", which his character sings in the film. Listen to John share stories like acting with Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone, the approach to doing nude scenes with Helen Hunt in The Sessions, and performing in his band Rodney & John. So, sit back and relax as we examine the craft of acting and songwriting with the one and only John Hawkes.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Production Company: Vanishing Angle (www.vanishingangle.com)Producer: Matt MillerDirector Of Photography: Kelly KingCamera Operator: Tory HarderEditor: Tory Harder
Special Thanks:John HawkesRay CostaAndrew P. AldereteCosta CommunicationsVanishing Angle

Composer Interview: Justin Hurwitz (January 1, 2017)

When you talk about young talent in the industry, it's impossible not to mention Justin Hurwitz who has already demonstrated his amazing abilities as a storyteller so early in his career. In this interview, Justin talks about his background and how he set himself on the path to becoming a film composer. Hear his fascinating insight including how he met director Damien Chazelle in college, how he paid the bills by writing scripts for sitcoms like The League and The Simpsons, and how he learned from all the mistakes he made on his first feature. We discuss how he learned through making mistakes on Damien Chazelle's first feature, Guy And Madeline On A Park Bench which was also a musical. Then learning more on Whiplash before tackling the modern musical once again with La La Land. Justin dissects his process including how he wrote both the score and the music to the songs in the film, as well as working with lyricists Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. The whole music process on La La Land took 2 years and we talk about Justin's workflow through it all. Justin Hurwitz is such an incredible storyteller and personality, and it was immensely inspiring to hear his story and approach to one of 2016's most critically-acclaimed films.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Justin HurwitzAlbert TelloLTLA Communications

All Access: Abel Korzeniowski (December 18, 2016) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this episode of All Access, we sit down with composer Abel Korzeniowski whose rich orchestral style has quickly made him one of the most respected and in-demand auteur composers working in the industry. Abel shares his background and how he found the path to film composing. We also discusses how he moved from his native country of Poland to the United States to pursue his career further. We examine Abel's scores throughout his career and what it was like working with different directors such as Tom Ford and Madonna, including specific approaches to many of Abel's scores like Nocturnal Animals and Penny Dreadful. We also discuss electronics in music and what their role is in the music he writes. All in all this is a great all-encompassing discussion with such an incredible talent and person. Abel continues to breath life into the projects he works on, and it's a real pleasure to have him as a guest on this episode of All Access!
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Fernando VelázquezJana DavidoffGabriella BelzerCW3PR

Composer Interview: Fernando Velázquez (December 18, 2016)

Composer Fernando Velázquez's talents and style as a musical storyteller has given us some amazing scores such as The Orphanage, Mama, The Impossible and Crimson Peak among many others. Recently, Fernando continues his collaboration with director J.A. Bayona with A Monster Calls as well as with the fantasy adventure Zip & Zap And The Captain's Island (Zipi y Zape y la Isla del Capitán). Fernando talks about about his background and how he never remembers a time that he didn't want to write film scores. We discuss the differences between Spanish and American cinema, his relationship with J.A. Bayona, how he approached scoring A Monster Calls, and is posed with the question of "will we hear a Fernando Velázquez score for Jurassic World 2?" Fernando's music has brought the films he has scored to vivid and emotional life, and it's an enlightening delight to hear him speak about his craft.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Fernando VelázquezJana DavidoffGabriella BelzerCW3PR

Composer Interview: Michael A. Levine (December 11, 2016)

Composer Michael A. Levine takes time to discuss his background and journey to film composing as well as his score to the powerful and critically acclaimed documentary, Landfill Harmonic. Michael takes us through his path to becoming a composer including performing on the street, creating one of the most recognizable advertising jingles of all-time (KitKat, "give me a break"), working with Harry Gregson-Williams, working with Hans Zimmer and developing his own career as a composer with hit series such as Cold Case. Michael is one of the industry's most beloved talents whose passion continues to inspire.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Michael A. LevineJana DavidoffGabriella BelzerCW3PR

Composer Interview: Joby Talbot (December 6, 2016)

Dive into a fun and inspiring chat with composer Joby Talbot. Joby's diverse career and versatile talents have led to a multitude of memorable scores such as for The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, Penelope, Son Of Rambow and now Sing. We discuss Joby's path to film scoring and how he approaches certain genres of films. We delve into Sing, which is the newest film from Illumination Entertainment who brought us Despicable Me and Minions. Joby talks about the challenge of creating a score for a film that has pop songs and musical numbers throughout. He also discusses his ongoing collaboration with director Garth Jennings across the films they have worked on together. Joby brings his unique voice as a composer into all of his music and it was such a blast to dissect his process with him.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joby TalbotJana DavidoffAndrew CohenCW3PR

Composer Interview: Mario Sevigny (December 6, 2016)

Composer Mario Savigny takes some time to talk about his recent score to the Crackle original series, The Art Of More which stars Christian Cooke, Kate Bosworth, Cary Elwes and Dennis Quaid. Beyond that, Mario discusses his background and path to film composing including his techniques and approaches. Mario also discusses being a composer based out of Canada and how you can build a career in the industry when not being located in Hollywood. A fantastic and informative chat with a composer who brings a fresh voice to the industry.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Mario SevignyJordan Von NetzerCW3PR

All Access: Alan Silvestri (November 13, 2016) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this episode of All Access we are so honored to be joined by the simply amazing Alan Silvestri. Alan's work as a composer truly needs no introduction as he has given us some of the most iconic scores of all-time. We discuss his background and path to composing, and how his beginning in jazz led him to end up working on small productions. He recounts the first time he ever met Robert Zemeckis, and how he came onboard to score Romancing The Stone. Alan continues to take us through his career highlights including Back To The Future, Forrest Gump, Predator, Cast Away and also his most current score to Robert Zemeckis' Allied. Hear stories such as how the Predator scoring sessions failed to come together in Europe and how he had to re-record in Los Angeles, or how Alan sat with Robert Zemeckis through the first half of Cast Away and could not find a moment he felt that needed score, and Alan opens up about the time he was hired on Pirates Of The Caribbean but was ultimately replaced. We even talk about how Alan and his family decided to start a winery up in Carmel where they live. Alan Silvestri is truly one of the warmest, kindest and most interesting human beings you'll ever meet. Enjoy a truly special discussion with one of the industry's most beloved composers.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Alan SilvestriSandra Silvestri