Film.Music.Media

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

Composer Interview: David Schwartz (June 28, 2013)

Composer David Schwartz takes some time to talk about his work on the hit series Arrested Development. David is no stranger to the world of TV and we discuss his background as he shares how he came to score Northern Exposure and his many other works. We dissect the role of music in the "half-hour comedy" and what his approach and goals are for Arrested Development. David also shares his songwriting process as well. A fantastic interview with an iconic composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:David SchwartzBeth KrakowerCinemedia Promotions

Composer Interview: Vivek Maddala (June 28, 2013)

Composer Vivek Maddala takes some time to speak about his score for American Revolutionary: The Evolution Of Grace Lee Boggs. We chat about how he found his way into music and composing including his methods and approach. We talk a lot about documentary scoring and delve into whether or not a composer's passion for the subject of the doc influences his/her writing. Vivek also shares about his love for world music and his research process for different ethnic sounds he has utilized across his body of work. A fascinating interview with a great composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Vivek MaddalaChandler PolingWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: Joshua R. Mosley (June 22, 2013)

Joshua R. Mosley takes some time to talk about his recent score for After Earth: The Mobile Game. The Mass Effect: Paragon Lost composer shares the process of creating a blockbuster tie-in game including the creative direction of the game and even matching the soundscape with James Newton Howard's score while stile making it his own. We discuss the state of mobile gaming, the technology composers need to keep up on and what he thinks the future of gaming will be. It was great to have another chat with such a talented and informative composer. Enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joshua R. MosleySabrina Hutchinson PR

Composer Interview: Henry Jackman (June 14, 2013)

The fantastic Henry Jackman takes some time to chat about his busy slate of projects. We discuss his scores to This Is The End, Turbo, Captain Phillips and even Captain America: The Winter Solider. Henry shares his approach to scoring an apocalyptic comedy and playing as straight as he can with a huge orchestral and choral approach. For Turbo he shares a lot about the animation process and reflects about his work on Wreck-It Ralph as well. We then delve into working with Paul Greengrass on Captain Phillips and how he completely had to switch gears for that score. Henry then shares what his views and what his approach will be for the upcoming Captain America: The Winter Solider. We finish up by talking about following in Alan Silvestri's footsteps, which Henry has done on two franchises now. Also how he discovered Alan's music to Predator by sneaking out to watch a VHS copy when he was in boarding school in England. Henry is always a complete joy to talk with and listen to. Just like our last chat this interview is extremely fun and very in-depth, please enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Henry JackmanRay CostaAlex MayAlbert TelloCosta Communications