Film.Music.Media

Composer Interview: Scott Healy (February 4, 2014)

Scott Healy is a Grammy nominated composer, producer and performer who was recently nominated at the Grammy's for his piece "Koko On The Boulevard". Scott can also be seen weeknights on TBS as part of Conan O'Brien's Basic Cable Band on Conan. Scott is a terrific talent and he shares how he got started in music, which eventually led to music composition. His album Hudson City Suite is an instrumental jazz album, and we talk a lot about writing an album like that versus writing film music. Scott talks about his approach, structure and execution plus everything that inspires and influences him. Scott also talks about performing on late night television for 20+ years now with Conan O'Brien, and what it's like being with a band for that long. We discuss his love for big band recording and how that style of composing is true art as we discuss great film composers like Henry Mancini. It was a true pleasure and honor to speak with Scott, and his passion for his music can be heard with every note he writes.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Scott HealyJeff SandersonDan BarryChasen & Company
Photo Credit: Lisa Tanner

Composer Interview: Darius Holbert (January 3, 2014)

Composer Darius Holbert is the very talented composer behind Hobo With A Shotgun, Assassin's Tale, the series Quickdraw, the documentary Trophy Kids from Peter Berg, the upcoming Old 37, and so much more. Darius shares his path to being a composer, and it sure is a fantastic story. We also discuss in-depth some of his recent projects like Quickdraw and Trophy Kids. Darius shares a bit about crafting a comedy western as well as his process for scoring a documentary. We also talk about his most recent project, Old 37 as he is just beginning his work on it. All in all this is a very fascinating look into the process of a very talented composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Darius HolbertShoshie AbornBig Picture Media

Composer Interview: S. Peace Nistades (January 3, 2014)

S. Peace Nistades takes some time to talk about his busy year and recent projects. From films like The Wicked, Night Vet with James Cromwell, Rock Jocks with Felicia Day and more! We delve into Peace's process as he demonstrates his approach for these varied genres. The interview is a wonderful examination of genre composing focusing a lot on horror, comedy and science fiction. Peace shares some great information about what he thinks certain scores should do in certain genres. Another wonderful chat with an extremely talented composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:S. Peace Nistades

Director Interview: John Lee Hancock (December 19, 2013)

Saving Mr. Banks and The Blind Side director John Lee Hancock talks about his recent collaboration with composer Thomas Newman on Saving Mr. Banks. John talks a bit about directing veteran actors like Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, but also about how to direct a veteran composer like Thomas Newman. He shares some fascinating tidbits such as how Newman re-temped the entire film with his own scores to show different ways to accent scenes, and how certain musical moments in the film came to fruition. John also discusses working with the great Richard Sherman, and how integral he was to assist in the scriptwriting phase all the way to having him on set to coach actors Jason Schwartzman and BJ Novak. A very inspiring chat with a terrific director.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:John Lee HancockRyan CollinsGinsberg/LibbyWalt Disney Studios

Composer Interview: Mark Isham (December 15, 2013)

Oscar-nominated Mark Isham is one of the most respected composers to ever work in the medium, and it was a great honor to be able to have him share some insight behind his recent work. Mark shares a bit about his background and how he found the path to film composing. We talk about his re-teaming with director Frank Darabont for the gritty Mob City on TNT. Mark talks about his approach and how he started really early on this project to allow Darabont to do some very unique stuff with the music in the show. Mark also shares how he juggles two major broadcast series as well with Once Upon A Time and Once Upon A Time In Wonderland. We explore how he handles TV schedules and his approach to the format including how commercial breaks play into his scoring approach. A very insightful talk with a truly remarkable composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Mark IshamRay CostaAlbert TelloCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Geoff Zanelli (December 15, 2013)

Emmy-winning composer Geoff Zanelli takes some time to chat about his two recent scores to Killing Kennedy and Christmas In Conway. Killing Kennedy premiered to record numbers becoming the highest rated program to air on National Geographic. Geoff delves into his approach for the film, as well as exploring what's behind the public's fascination with JFK and his story. We talk about how to approach a narrative based on a major historical figure and national tragedy, including how his score needed to flesh out Lee Harvey Oswald. We also chat about Christmas In Conway and how to walk the fine line between heartwarming and overly melodramatic. Christmas movies always come with a whole territory of genre expectations, and Geoff talks about how he faced them. Finally, we go in-depth into Geoff's work on The Lone Ranger as he arranged Rossini's William Tell Overture into one of the best action sequences ever filmed. Geoff talks about breaking the overture down and rebuilding it with director Gore Verbinski and composer Hans Zimmer. Every interview with Geoff shines new light onto his amazing work, and this interview is no different. Enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Geoff ZanelliEmilie ErskineCharley WaltersCW3PR

Composer Interview: Pharrell Williams (November 20, 2013)

One of the most influential musical artists of our generation has become more and more involved in the film music world over the past few years. Pharrell Williams co-scored the worldwide sensation Despicable Me, and his themes and songs returned for Despicable Me 2 including the new original song "Happy". Pharrell has also been collaborating heavily with composer Hans Zimmer doing various things such as writing and producing music for the 84th Annual Academy Awards as well as being a featured percussionist on Hans' Man Of Steel score. Pharrell will also be working with Hans on the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2. For this interview we talk about his history as a musician and what led him to be immersed in the world of film music. From what his methods are for scores and songs to his views on the goals of what film scores should do emotionally, Pharrell shares his philosophy and approach. We also discuss the importance of collaboration and how working with composers like Heitor Pereira and Hans Zimmer has been an educational process as he grows as a composer. It was such a great honor to speak to a fantastic musical mind who is bringing a brand new voice to the film music world.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Pharrell WilliamsKrishel Coultrup42 West

Composer Interview: Rahman Altin (November 13, 2013)

Turkish composer Rahman Altin talks about his amazing new score for The Butterfly's Dream. The film revolves around two young and struggling poets at the start of WW2 living in Turkey and is a masterful story of love and life. Rahman goes into detail about writing a score in the tradition of classic cinema and how much of a personal journey this was for him. We discuss his background including how he fell in love with film music through John Williams and seeing Star Wars and Superman when he was young. He also talks about his initial discussions with director Yilmaz Erdogan and how the working relationship was an amazing and rare experience. From barely any temp music to no required revisions, Rahman was able to craft a score completely uninhibited. The result is stunning and Rahman won the Public Choice Award at this year's World Soundtrack Awards. The Butterfly's Dream is also Turkey's official entry for this year's Best Foreign Film for the Academy Awards. A true pleasure to speak with an amazing composer whose work is among the best of the year.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Rahman AltinChandler PolingWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: David Buckley (November 7, 2013)

Composer David Buckley talks Call Of Duty: Ghosts in his most recent interview for Film.Music.Media. His other scores include The Forbidden Kingdom, The Good Wife, Killing Lincoln, The Town, From Paris With Love, Parker and many more. We explore how he got the Call Of Duty job, which is a very highly sought after composer gig. Then we delve into his approach and process including what he wanted his music to be doing for the game and the story. David shares what he looked at for his musical inspiration and how he closely worked with the developers to craft the experience. This is a terrific exploration at the process of scoring a huge action game such as Call Of Duty: Ghosts. We also talk briefly of his upcoming score to the film A Bit Of Bad Luck, which sees David composing a comedy score. David Buckley is always one of the most interesting people to talk to and his insight is always fascinating.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:David Buckley

Composer Interview: Steve Jablonsky (November 2, 2013)

Steve Jablonsky is one of the most prolific composers working in the industry and is a true musical auteur. His iconic music and recognizable style has won him over a huge fan base. In this detailed discussion Steve talks about growing up in Los Angeles and how starting out as Harry Gregson-Williams' assistant back in the mid 90's got him on the path he's on today. We really discuss his methods and approach, specifically for his newest score to Ender's Game. We go in-depth about his collaborations with director Michael Bay, including his early thoughts for Transformers: Age Of Extinction. Steve also shares about re-teaming with director Peter Berg for Lone Survivor and how he found himself working with the band Explosions In The Sky for the score. Steve is a personal inspiration so it was beyond an honor and a privilege to speak to him about his work. Enjoy this wonderful interview.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Steve JablonskyJeff SandersonDan BarryChasen & Company
Photo Credit: Katia Lewin Jablonsky