Film.Music.Media

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

All Access: Heitor Pereira (July 12, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
Our second episode of "All Access" finds us sitting with composer Heitor Pereira in his studio. We cover his approach to his colorful score to the worldwide sensation Minions, and how he tried to deconstruct his melodies from Despicable Me 1 & 2. Beyond that Heitor shares how he immigrated to the USA via a boat from Brazil all the way to New York City to begin his musical path. Other topics include his love for melodies, working with a temp, trying to break into other genres, and every angle of his unique approach to scoring. Heitor even breaks out a guitar to demo his melodic improvisation. We discuss the importance of hard work and support from the people around us as he tells us that his film music career wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the support of his friends and collaborators. Heitor is one of the most fun and passionate people in the world, and this in-depth and fascinating conversation opens up his world to us. Enjoy!
Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Heitor PereiraRay CostaAlbert TelloSarah ChildersCosta Communications
 
 

All Access: Lorne Balfe (July 8, 2015) *Video Interview Available

[Watch the video interview on our YouTube Channel]
On the first episode of "All Access" we visit Lorne Balfe at his studio to sit down and talk a bit about his score to Terminator: Genisys. The conversation evolves as we chat about the usage of very famous themes from past entries of a franchise, presenting music to directors and producers, composing music for action, big budget vs small budget filmmaking, scheduling, creativity, and even what the best late-night snacks are. Lorne also demos some music and rhythmic structures!
Interview Produced & Presented By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Lorne BalfeKelly JohnsonRay CostaAlbert TelloSarah ChildersCosta Communications
"Film.Music.Media: All Access" is a brand new video series. We'll be taking you into the composer's studios to sit down and discuss not only recent projects, but deep and meaningful conversations about film music and the entire world of film. Each video interview will be uniquely different, will have a relaxed and organic approach, and offer a glimpse you don't get in our regular audio interviews.

Composer Interview: Elliot Goldenthal (June 18, 2015)

Oscar-winning composer Elliot Goldenthal takes some time to chat about his newest score to Julie Taymor's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The unique take on the Shakespearean classic was performed live on stage, but was shot cinematically to be edited into a film. This presented Elliot with a completely new way of writing music. The film plays for a special one-night only event via Fathom Events on June 22nd at theaters around the country. Beyond that, Elliot also composed a 3-act ballet adaptation of Othello as well as another play directed by Julie Taymor starring Anne Hathaway called Grounded. Elliot discusses how he wrote the score for Grounded just from Anne Hathaway's voice. We also discuss his Symphony In G# Minor, which was released on CD/Digital last month. Elliot describes what goes through his mind when he writes a symphony vs film or stage. And finally Elliot gives his thoughts on the complaints Harry Gregson-Williams made when Michael Mann's Blackhat was released and to Harry's surprise had most of his score replaced. It's a true honor to have Elliot back on Film.Music.Media for another insightful and supremely interesting chat.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Elliot GoldenthalJeff SandersonRyan MazieChasen & Company

Composer Interview: James S. Levine (June 9, 2015)

Composer James S. Levine takes some time to talk about his background and how he found his path to film music. He talks about his early days working with Hans Zimmer and learning the ropes through that path. James reflects on his scores for American Horror Story and Glee, and discusses his evolving collaboration with showrunner Ryan Murphy dating all the way back to Nip/Tuck. James talks about working on the first 3 seasons of American Horror Story, and how he treats each one as its own thing. We chat about his work on Glee where he reveals his love for musical theater, and how he and the crew felt like they were back in high school making that show. James also mentions his current shows that are keeping him busy like The Last Ship (co-composed with James Dooley) and Rizzoli & Isles. A really fun chat with one of the premiere talents in film and television today.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:James S. LevineJana DavidoffCW3PR