Film.Music.Media

All Access: Joe Kraemer (December 26, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
Film.Music.Media: All Access welcomes Joe Kraemer as we sit down in his studio and get talk all things film and film music with the Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation composer. Joe shares his path to film scoring including how be became friends with Christopher McQuarrie, which has led to one of the premiere director/composer collaborations in the industry. We delve into Joe's process for Rogue Nation including how he decided to not shy away from one of the most famous film and television themes of all time. We also get insight into the state of film music today, especially action film music. And Joe talks about his passion for The Beatles and how he decided to remaster and remix their entire catalogue just for fun. We talk video games and even Star Wars, including how the orchestra surprised Joe on his birthday while recording the Rogue Nation score. Joe's writing and storytelling is truly on a level of its own, and it was a real honor to have him back as a guest for All Access.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joe Kraemer

Composer Interview: Roque Baños (December 17, 2015)

The wonderfully talented Roque Baños takes some time to chat about his recent score to Ron Howard's maritime epic In The Heart Of The Sea starting Chris Hemsworth. Roque shares talks about how he found his way to film scoring and bridge the gap from Spanish cinema to American cinema. We talk about his work on In The Heart Of The Sea and how he got the job through Hans Zimmer's recommendation and went on to build a score as big as the story. From rebuilding sections of the ship in the recording studio to finding the core emotional points, Roque gives us a fascinating look into his process.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Roque BañosRay CostaAzalia MendozaCosta Communications

All Access: Inon Zur (December 16, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this episode of All Access, we get to sit down with one of the master auteur composers of video games. Inon Zur talks about his journey from Israel to the United States and how his dream of being a jazz musician took an unexpected turn when he discovered the world of video game music. Inon talks about his approach and process to scoring, and we go into detail for his most recent score to the massive worldwide sensation Fallout 4. Other topics include if the film industry looks down upon video games as a lesser art form, how to avoid being typecast and dealing with rejection as a composer. Inon is such a wonderful talent, and to get to a glimpse inside his world is a real treasure.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Inon ZurGreg O'Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR

All Access: Jeff Russo (December 14, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this "All Access" we sit down with Fargo composer Jeff Russo to examine his process and approach to scoring in intricate detail. Jeff tells us some wild stories about his initial path as a singer/songwriter and how that eventually led him to film and TV composing. We look into his work for Fargo specifically and what his approach for Season 2 was as he collaborated with show runner Noah Hawley. Jeff shares many amazing memories from his time on the road including a special moment that sticks in his mind more than any other. We also discuss juggling multiple projects at once, and what Jeff likes to do outside the studio when he has free time. Enjoy another supremely entertaining and informative episode of All Access with one of the best composers working in television.
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Jeff RussoJana DavidoffAndrew CohenCW3PR

All Access: Dominic Lewis - Episode 1 (December 11, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On this episode of All Access, we get to sit down with the extremely fun and talented Dominic Lewis. Dom worked with Henry Jackman on the score for the critically-acclaimed Amazon series The Man In The High Castle based on the classic novel by Philip K. Dick. Dominic gives us a fresh and unique perspective into the film music industry as he very quickly rose up the ranks at Remote Control Productions after working with such notable composers like Henry Jackman, Hans Zimmer and John Powell. We discuss the benefits of taking that path for a young composer, and all the opportunities that he was able to make happen with it. Beyond discussing his approach for scoring The Man In The High Castle, we also discuss certain trends in the industry such as "binge watching". Dom talks about being a new Dad and how he must balance family life with work life, and how as a young composer what challenges come with trying to form your own identity and voice in the industry. Dominic is a notable composer on the rise, but has the insight and talents of a weathered veteran which makes this episode of All Access a supremely informative and fun one!
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Dominic LewisChandler PolingBeth KrakowerKrakower Poling PR

Composer Interview: Edwin Wendler (November 9, 2015)

The talented and versatile Edwin Wendler takes some time to talk about the three spooky scores he cooked up this fall. Edwin shares his approach to the three horror scores Unnatural, I Spit On Your Grave: Vengeance Is Mine and his contribution to Tales Of Halloween which is a collection of shorts. We go deep into the horror genre as well as cover many other things revolving around the world of film scoring. It's a true pleasure to have Edwin return as a guest.
Interview Conducted By:Michael Hollands
Special Thanks:Edwin WendlerKrakower Poling PR

All Access: John Powell (September 10, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
Have you ever wanted to sit down for an hour and half with John Powell and really get to know him and his process fully? Well now you can with our latest installment in the All Access series. We cover everything from John's path into music and what really made him settle down to become a film composer. He takes us through his journey starting out working under Hans Zimmer in the 90's, including teaming up with Harry Gregson-Williams. John talks extensively about his methods and processes, and you'll really get to understand how he analyzes a scene or project. We talk about the state of the industry and why Hollywood's obsession with violence caused him to quit action movies and focus solely on animation. Hear fun little details from his scores across his career, such as when The Bourne Identity director Doug Liman lost a bet that ended up causing him some discomfort to his testicles (yep, it's a John Powell interview after all!).
In deep sincerity John describes in immense detail about the historical events of World War 1 that inspired him to take 2 years off of writing scores to focus on his concert piece, A Prussian Requiem which premieres March 2016 and will see an album release later that year. After hearing John speak about it, you will have a full understanding of what drove him to write it. John also shares why he continually tells himself that his music is not good enough and we explore where in terms of quality he is trying to reach. From his favorite drink to what he does outside of music, you'll experience John Powell like you never have before. It was a supreme honor to speak casually, intimately and in-depth about his life and career. Sit back and relax and enjoy the wonderful brilliant mix of genuine sincerity and sarcastic hilarity that is John Powell. Only on Film.Music.Media: All Access.
*John's latest score sees him returning to live-action with Pan. We don't discuss it in this interview, but if you'd like to hear John speak on his work on Pan please check out this other interview that FMM's Kaya Savas shot for the IFMCA where John speaks about Pan after accepting his IFMCA Award for How To Train Your Dragon 2. Search "Winners Speak John Powell".
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:John PowellBatu Sener

Composer Interview: Daniel Pemberton (August 7, 2015)

Composer Daniel Pemberton has very quickly established himself as one of the premiere and unique sounds of the film industry. His bold style and approach is on full display in Guy Ritchie's The Man From U.N.C.L.E. We dive right into his scoring process of the film, including how he got the job plus how Guy Ritchie as a director is very specific in his musical directions. Daniel talks about re-capturing the essence of 60's and 70's spy films and TV series such as the original The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible, The Pink Panther and James Bond. He discusses the challenge of fulfilling Ritchie's request of delivering "a good track" and being able to make something to work as close to the edit as possible. His process on this film was a combination of following the edit as well as the edit following his music. We also discuss Ennio Morricone's influences in all his music, and of course if he could score Mission: Impossible or James Bond, which franchise would he choose? Daniel is such a wonderful talent and it was a blast to have him back on Film.Music.Media.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Daniel PembertonRay CostaAlbert TelloCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Richard Harvey (July 23, 2015)

The wonderfully talented and incomparable Richard Harvey takes some time to chat about his newest score to The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) that he co-scored with Hans Zimmer. Richard takes us on an enlightening journey about his career and his views on the industry. He shares why he decided to stay in the UK and still have a successful career as a composer and musician without having to relocate to Los Angeles. Richard also talks about his longtime friendship and working relationship with Hans, as well as how they scored The Little Prince together. Richard is one of the kindest and smartest composers in the industry and here he truly shares some fantastic and inspiring things.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Richard HarveyNicolas CabarrouStéphane Humez

Composer Interview: Christophe Beck (July 23, 2015)

Christophe Beck's career is a prime example of versatility in a composer's storytelling ability. We dive into Ant-Man, which is Beck's most recent project. The film is a meshing of genres by being a superhero heist film that blends action with comedy. Before we dive into Ant-Man and writing the score to Marvel's newest onscreen superhero, Chris shares his path to film composing and his approach to genres like comedies and musicals. We also discuss the process of being a replacement composer or actually being the one replaced. Chris has been on both sides and shares his experience of being replaced on Terminator: Genisys as well as being the replacement on Edge Of Tomorrow. A fascinating and fun chat with one of the busiest and most versatile composers working today.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Christophe BeckRay CostaAlbert TelloCosta Communications