Film.Music.Media

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

Composer Interview: Harold Faltermeyer (September 19, 2016)

Iconic composer and musician Harold Faltermeyer takes some time to chat about his varied career as well as his upcoming autobiography. Harold has ventured into many areas of music from collaborating with the likes of Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer to composing iconic scores to films like Beverly Hills Cop and Top Gun. Harold takes us into great depth about his career and varied works including his recent autobiography as well as his new musical titled Oktoberfest: The Musical. Harold gives us a great window into his creative process and thoughts about music, and we are so honored to have him as a guest.
Interview Conducted By:Michael Hollands
Special Thanks:Harold FaltermeyerBirgitt WolffWolffpromotion

All Access: Theadore Shapiro (September 2, 2016) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
Composer Theodore Shapiro sits down and talks in great depth about his career and recent works in this episode of All Access. Shapiro's filmography is unique in that his scores always seem to transcend genre boundaries and focus solely on the characters and emotional arcs no matter if the movie incorporates comedy, action, horror or drama. We talk at lengths about how he aspired to be a composer and that film composition came later down the road. The topic of typecasting comes up and Theodore talks about why it seems he tackles lots of comedies and action/comedies. We go into great lengths about building relationships and working with directors such as David Mamet, Ben Stiller and John Hamburg. Theodore also discusses his approach for certain films like The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, Spy and his most recent score to Ghostbusters. We also touch upon the controversial backlash towards the new Ghostbusters and Theodore shares his whole view on the situation. Theodore Shapiro is such a great talent and a composer who has been able to build a unique sound as a storyteller whose music is admired by many. It was a great honor to have him as a guest.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Theodore Shapiro

Composer Interview: Jay Wadley (August 10, 2016)

Composer Jay Wadley has quickly garnered attention has he demonstrates his unique voice as a composer and storyteller. Jay gained experience composing College Humor shorts as well as a selection of short films. He has also worked as an additional composer on the hit FOX TV series Lie To Me. In this interview we discuss his score to James Schamus' Indignation including how he got involved on the film, his approach to a period film and the challenge of finding the right tone. This is a fantastic and insightful chat with a composer who has managed to build a budding career very quickly all the while planting his roots in New York City.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Jay WadleyChandler PolingMaike EilertWhite Bear PR

All Access: John Ottman (June 25, 2016) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
While there are a select few filmmakers who have the ability to wear multiple hats behind the scenes, there is only one amazingly talented and versatile John Ottman. On this episode of All Access we sit down with a truly special film composer who just also happens to be a film editor, film producer and film director as well. John's fun and witty personality shines through as we examine his career from the start. We discuss great topics like working with Bryan Singer, how he was offered to direct Urban Legends: The Final Cut and if he would direct again, why he only edits Bryan Singer's films, working on X-Men and the path of the franchise, and much more. John reveals the challenges of balancing personal and work life, how he was typecast into being the dark horror and thriller composer, his true love of animation scoring and his views on X-Men as a metaphor for gay rights and equality. We discuss so much here that it truly becomes a fascinating and fun exploration of filmmaking as a whole from scoring, producing, editing and directing John Ottman takes us through his enlightening and inspiring creative processes.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:John Ottman