Film.Music.Media

Composer Interview: Daniel Hart (September 26, 2013)

Composer Daniel Hart composed the amazing score to Ain't Them Bodies Saints. We discuss a little about his background and focus on his approach for the score. We analyze which characters really spoke to him, working with director David Lowery, and incorporating non-traditional percussion such as clapping and chest beating. Daniel also shares a bit about his upcoming score to The Sideways Light. Daniel is a fantastic composer whose music is worth discovering. His music was so captivating, and it was an honor to have him for this interview.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Daniel HartBradley RaineyWilliam Morris Endeavor

Composer Interview: Nathan Barr (September 16, 2013)

Nathan Barr is a busy man with projects like True Blood, Hemlock Grove and The Americans. Nathan recieved two Emmy nominations this year for the main titles of Hemlock Grove and The Americans. We discuss how he got into music including his first gig in Hollywood being an assistant to Hans Zimmer. He quickly started making a name for himself and that has led to nothing but success. We discuss what makes a great TV theme, and his approaches for his two Emmy nominated themes. Nathan shares his view on the success of the Netflix show model since Hemlock Grove is a Netflix original series. We also talk True Blood including his approach to the show and what his thoughts are on the upcoming final season. A fantastic interview with one of the most prominent composers working in film and television.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Nathan BarrAshley PattersonCW3PR

Composer Interview: Joel P West (September 13, 2013)

Joel P West takes some time to chat about his amazing score to the film Short Term 12. The film and the score are getting raving reviews and bringing lots of attention to the relatively new director, stars and composer. We discuss how Joel's friendship with director Destin Cretton led to their collaborations up to Short Term 12. He shares his history with his band The Tree Ring and how he fell in love with composing. We discuss the approach and goals musically for Short Term 12 as well. A wonderful pleasure to talk with such a talented composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joel P WestStefan KarrerMilan Records

Composer Interview: Jeff Cardoni (September 13, 2013)

Jeff Cardoni gives a fantastically fun and super informative interview. We go in depth with his two upcoming projects, The Michael J. Fox Show and Full Circle. Both series are unconventional when it comes to scoring; one is a sitcom while the other is a dialogue-heavy drama. We discuss the challenges that come with both areas of composing including how hard comedy is to score. Jeff shares about situations such as coming into a show like Wilfred in its second season as a replacement composer, and how he handled developing a new sound for a show that has already been running. It was a real joy to chat with Jeff. Please enjoy this fantastic interview.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Jeff CardoniChandler PolingWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: iZLER (September 12, 2013)

Chatting with iZLER is always a complete joy. This is our fourth interview together (3rd for 2013) and we never run out of stuff to talk about in the busy composer's career. iZLER is best known for his work on Shameless and Revenge, and here we discuss the CD release of the Revenge score from Intrada Records. This interview mainly focuses on how he compiled 1 CD from over two seasons of music and all the challenges that encompass that task. We chat about the album experience and the flow he wanted to achieve as well. We also discus some of iZLER's upcoming projects!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:iZLERJana Davidoff-MorrisonCW3PR
Photo Credit: Jenn KL Photography

Composer Interview: Anton Sanko (September 12, 2013)

Anton Sanko takes some time for a quick chat about his recent score to Ring Of Fire, which focuses on the life of June Carter and her relationship with Johnny Cash. We talk about coming up with the right sound for a biopic type film like Ring Of Fire, including his approach and goals for the music. Anton also shares some details of his upcoming scores which see him returning to his horror/thriller roots. He shares how he makes his scores original and fresh when you work a lot within one genre. Always a pleasure to chat with an amazingly smart and talented composer like Anton.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Anton SankoJeff SandersonDan BarryChasen & Company

Composer Interview: Mark Mancina (August 7, 2013)

Mark Mancina is one of the most iconic composers working today and it was a great honor to speak to him about his newest score to Disney's Planes. Mark shares a lot in this fantastic and informative interview. We chat about him taking over on Speed when Michael Kamen was supposed to score to why he is very selective with his film projects. We talk about 90's action scoring and how his genre defining music along with his friends Hans Zimmer and Trevor Rabin defined the decade. He doesn't hold back when discussing why he dropped out of Bad Boys 2 yet still took Speed 2 on with Jan de Bont. For Planes we discuss his approach, his discussions with John Lasseter and how his demo for the score led to a trailer that was 100% music; something that is never done. A true pleasure to chat with one of the great composer auteurs.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Mark Mancina

Composer Interview: John Piscitello (July 23, 2013)

John Piscitello takes some time to talk about his fantastic score to No Place On Earth. The documentary follows the stories of Jewish families who found shelter in caves during WW2. John also shares about his background, inspirations and methods. We discuss the role music plays in documentaries and his views of the composer being emotionally attached to the real stories within a documentary. We discuss his favorite and most challenging aspects of scoring among many other things. A great interview with a very smart and talented composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:John PiscitelloChandler PolingWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: Heitor Pereira (July 9, 2013)

The amazing and always fun to talk to Heitor Pereira chats about his recent scores to Despicable Me 2 and Smurfs 2. We discuss his collaborations with Pharrell Williams and how they worked together on the first film versus this film. Heitor shares his methods and views on scoring sequels, how to give a film its own sonic identity and much more. He also shares his fascinating process of recording audio as he reads the script since he tends to hum themes out loud while reading. A truly great and in-depth interview with a terrific composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Heitor PereiraRay CostaAlbert TelloCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Mark Yaeger (June 28, 2013)

Mark Yaeger welcomes me to his studio where we sat down for an amazing chat about his work and the nature of film music as a whole. We talk about how he got his start and what led him to film composing. Mark shares about working with Klaus Badelt and all the things he learned through their collaborations. Mark, whose studio is still down the hall from Klaus' discusses the importance of collaboration and how he still interacts with Klaus and everyone else under one roof. We chat about his personal approach and methods for certain genres and much more. A real privilege and a fun time with a fantastic composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Mark YaegerBenjamin Willan