Film.Music.Media

Composer Interview: Noah Sorota (April 25, 2014)

Composer Noah Sorota takes some time to talk about his scores to the hit series Falling Skies and the action suspense thriller Jinn. Noah talks about his amazing path to film composing including working for Hans Zimmer as a programmer and arranger on some of Hans' biggest scores. He goes into detail about the technical work he did, which in turn taught him a lot about the intricacies of the business that he now carries on in his own successful career. He also shares how Steven Spielberg hired him for Falling Skies, and how his music has evolved over the course of 4 seasons. We discuss his scoring process for Jinn as well, and how the movie was essentially recut and how he had to replace his own score for the new tone of the film. Noah is such a great talent and it was a pleasure to speak with him.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Noah SorotaChandler PolingLiz CookeWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: Henry Jackman (April 11, 2014)

Henry Jackman is one of the busiest and most versatile film composers working today. His style is distinct and his range is impressive. Projects like Wreck-It Ralph, This Is The End, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Turbo, Captain Phillips, Winnie The Pooh, X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass all show his ability to tackle any genre. Henry is now the composer behind Captain America: The Winter Soldier and has crafted a finely tuned machine of a score. We chat about how he got involved on the project and what his stylistic approach for the film was. Henry addresses all the internet responses to his heavy use of electronics in the score and why some people may find it jarring. We discuss how he went about crafting the electronic sounds and textures of the score including the menacing Winter Soldier motif. Henry talks about how certain German electronica bands helped influence some of the structures in his music here as well as finding places to interject traditional orchestral moments. Henry always gives the most insightful interviews and this one is no different.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Henry JackmanRay CostaAlbert TelloCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Sergio Mendes (April 9, 2014)

Sergio Mendes is a true music legend. He is one of the most iconic musical figures and is responsible for ushering Brazilian music to a worldwide audience. Sergio Mendes has had an amazing career, but here we focus on his work for Rio 2. Sergio served as Executive Music Producer on the Rio films as well as a songwriter. We discuss his collaborative process with composer John Powell and how his work with the songs worked hand in hand with the score. Sergio discusses when in the production process does the songwriting start, and how do they fit into the narrative. We also discuss the importance of exposing people, especially children to different musical cultures which the Rio films most definitely do. His work on Rio 2 infuses Brazilian culture into the story to bring everything to life. Sergio Mendes is continually keeping busy, and it was an honor that he was able to chat for a bit.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Sergio MendesJeff SandersonDan BarryChasen & Company

Composer Interview: Silas Hite (April 1, 2014)

The versatile and talented Silas Hite takes some time to chat about his work as a film, TV, game and media composer. Silas is truly a composer who has mastered adaptability in his artistic output early in his career. He shares how he started working closely with his uncles, Bob Mothersbaugh and Mark Mothersbaugh. Silas shares his unique approach to music as well as to his passion for drawing, which as seen his artwork featured in many gallery exhibitions. We talk about if music and drawing come from the same place as well as if one medium can express things the other can't. Silas also discusses his extensive work in commercials and how commercials are a great experience for a composer. Plus we explore his upcoming projects and how he likes to keep things diversified. Silas is definitely an amazing voice in the industry and it was a pleasure to chat with him for a bit for this wonderful interview.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Silas HiteChandler PolingWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: Tom Holkenborg [Junkie XL] (March 2, 2014)

Junkie XL (aka Tom Holkenborg) is a multi-talented instrumentalist, producer, arranger and composer. His background is a very unique one as he comes from both traditional and modern electronic approaches to music. Junkie XL has made a name for himself with a few notable solo albums as well as his collaborations with musicians and remixes. He recently began collaborating with Hans Zimmer and has worked on quite a few of Hans' scores such as Man Of Steel and The Dark Knight Rises. His solo composing credits include Paranoia, 300: Rise Of An Empire and Divergent. In this interview Junkie XL talks about his background, how he came to music, how he approaches music and so much more. We chat about 300: Rise Of An Empire, Divergent and he shares a little bit of Mad Max: Fury Road which is his next big project. Junkie XL is also part of the co-composing group Hans Zimmer put together for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 including Pharrell Williams and Johnny Marr. Tom is a truly unique talent and it was fascinating getting to hear about his process.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Tom HolkenborgRay CostaAlbert TelloCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Edwin Wendler (February 25, 2014)

Composer Edwin Wendler has quickly made a name for himself scoring some supremely engaging scores like Escape and The Right To Love: An American Family. He has also worked with some big-name composers like John Ottman, Stephen Trask and Paul Haslinger doing arranging, orchestrating and additional composing. For this interview Edwin shares about how he got started in music and eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue film scoring. He shares about his techniques and approaches to some of his recent scores. Edwin also shares what he's learned while working with great composers like John Ottman, most recently as an additional composer on John's score to the blockbuster Non-Stop starring Liam Neeson. A truly great interview with an enormous talent.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Edwin WendlerPeter Hackman

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