Film.Music.Media

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

All Access: John Frizzell (November 4, 2016) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this All Access we sit down with the fantastically talented and insightful John Frizzell. John’s immense and versatile filmography gave us many things to discuss as we talk about how John grew up with music all around him, and how that lead to the path of becoming a film composer. John discusses many of his past projects including working with Mike Judge on Beavis & Butthead Do America, Office Space and King Of The Hill. We delve into horror/thriller scores such has John’s score to Alien: Resurrection, and his views on how composers can easily be typecast in the industry. Some other great insights shared include scoring Dante’s Peak and the role that James Newton Howard had in getting him the job, and how he used James’ theme. We also discuss John’s recent score to When The Bough Breaks, and how he handled the tone and approach to that film compared to his other work in the thriller/horror genre. John’s fantastic insight and reflections on his work are all captured here on another wonderful All Access interview.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:John FrizzellRay CostaAndrew P. AldereteCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Greg Edmonson (November 4, 2016)

Greg Edmonson has brought his charm and big personality as a human being, and has infused that into his music. His scores carry his voice and style yet adapt easily to the films, shows and games that he scores. Greg’s versatility has brought us amazing gems such as fan favorite Firefly, the first 3 games in the Uncharted franchise and Mike Judge’s King Of The Hill. Greg takes some time to reflect on his background and tells us what it was like growing up in Texas, and how he found the path to being a composer. We look back on his iconic scores and talk about the state of film music today. Greg even gives his opinion on how he feels about not scoring the latest Uncharted game. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more genuine, kind and positive composer in this industry like Greg, and it was a pure joy to catch up again as he returns as a guest here on Film.Music.Media.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Greg EdmonsonGreg O’Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR

All Access: Nick Glennie-Smith (October 21, 2016) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this All Access we have an intimate chat with the one and only Nick Glennie-Smith. We sat on Nick's patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a breezy and beautiful California day with cups of tea to discuss his varied career in music and film. Nick takes us back to his childhood growing up in the UK and how he formed early relationships and his love of gear that led him down a path that would eventually lead him to Hollywood. Nick shares some amazing stories that paint the picture of the origins of his friendships with other notable composers such as Richard Harvey, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. We discuss all his films including those he composed for Randall Wallace, and iconic 90's action films like The Rock. Beyond that Nick talks about his career as a conductor and the role he plays during recording sessions, what he still hopes to accomplish in his career as a composer and so much more. Nick's optimism and warmth as a person are treasured characteristics in this industry, and to hear his story and insights is a true pleasure that should shine a light on a composer whose musical body of work means so much to so many.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Nick Glennie-SmithStéphane Humez

Composer Interview: The Newton Brothers (October 21, 2016)

Separately they are known as Taylor Newton Stewart and Andy Grush, together they are known as The Newton Brothers. And together they have become one of the most unique and accomplished sounds in Hollywood as they continue to add their unique musical storytelling talents to the films they score. Unfortunately due to a last minute composing emergency, Taylor was unable to join us for this chat. But thankfully Andy was able to give us some amazing insight into the duo's history and how they joined to form a partnership. We go into great detail about composing with a partner, and how they split duties. Beyond that we focus on their approach for their new score to Ouija: Origin Of Evil and how they have built an amazing collaboration with director Mike Flanagan over the course of many films. In the spirit of Halloween, Andy gives us his opinion on what makes a good horror score and discusses how for Ouija that they only used instruments from the era the film takes place in. Then they recorded the score in Nashville in a studio built into a renovated 100-year old church. Some amazing and fun insights here, and a glimpse into a great creative partnership that's doing some fantastic things.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Photo Credit: Berliner Images - Universal Pictures
Special Thanks:Andy GrushTaylor Newton StewartRay CostaAndrew P. AldereteCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Darren Fung (October 14, 2016)

Composer Darren Fung whose varied projects over the years have led to him composing many versatile scores from documentaries such as Lost Years, to the Jay Baruchel starring dramedy Just Buried and small indie darlings like Summerhood. One of his most recent scores is to the documentary mini-series, The Great Human Odyssey which displays his amazing talents as a storyteller capable of emotions from big to small. We chat about Darren's background growing up in Canada and how he found the path to film composing. We go into great detail about his work on The Great Human Odyssey, and Darren shares insights about being an "orchestra guy", and how he always pushes for an orchestra on his scores. Darren gives so much great and fun insight especially to composers looking to find ways to push for an orchestra in today's increasingly digital world.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Darren FungAndrew CohenCW3PR

Composer Interview: Chad Seiter (September 20, 2016)

Composer Chad Seiter has quickly become a premiere voice in the realm of film, TV and video game composing. Chad takes some time to discuss his path to becoming a composer from his early beginnings, to becoming Michael Giacchino's assistant and to now helming blockbuster games such as ReCore. Chad's path and background makes him unique in that he's one of the few young composers out there who is fully at home working with the orchestra. We talk about everything he's learned from Michael Giacchino, the state of video game scores over the past few years, and how he tried to incorporate orchestra as much as possible into the sound of ReCore. Chad provides such amazing insight and detail, and it was such a blast having him as a guest!
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Chad SeiterGreg O'Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR