Film.Music.Media

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

Composer Interview: Joachim Horsley (June 11, 2013)

Joachim Horsley has orchestrated the scores to films such as The Possession and The Rabbit Hole, and he recently composed the score for the comedy Rapture-Palooza. Joachim is also an extremely talented singer/songwriter and his new album titled Combinations is all the proof you need. We chat about his background and how he decided to pursue composition. Joachim also shares about his songwriting approach and how his music has a universal aspect that doesn't define to one genre. He shares how he took a film score approach to each song and to make it feel as a true album experience. We also chat about his approach to scoring Rapture-Palooza and the nature of comedy scoring. A great guy, a great talent and a fascinating interview.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joachim HorsleyJeff SandersonDan BarryChasen & Company

Producer Interview: Robert Townson [Varèse Sarabande] (June 1, 2013)

Robert Townson is the executive producer and head of the beloved Varèse Sarabande record label. Varèse Sarabande has been the leader of current and archival soundtrack releases for 35 years. In 2013 the label turns 35-years old and Robert has been bringing the celebrations to the fans worldwide. I talk to the man in charge about the recent Varèse Sarabande Concert held in San Pedro with the Golden State Pops Orchestra. Specifically the logistics of putting together the concert. He also shares his experience of setting up concerts worldwide and bringing music to fans in places like China, Poland and the Canary Islands. We talk about his history at the label including working with composers like Jerry Goldsmith, Miklós Rózsa, Alex North and so many more. This was a wonderful chat with a man whose work has resulted in over 1200 soundtrack albums, which sit snuggly on score fans' shelves worldwide.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Robert TownsonRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Nathan Whitehead (May 31, 2013)

Composer Nathan Whitehead takes some time to talk about his recent score to The Purge. We chat about how he got into scoring including working with composers like Steve Jablonsky and Jim Dooley. Nathan shares things he learned while collaborating with Jablonsky and Dooley, and how that prepared him for his own work as a fantastic distinct voice in the scoring world. We discuss the difference between horror and thriller scoring, and how The Purge is a suspense thriller that required precision from the music. From spotting, building suspense and knowing when to let silence take over we discuss a lot of interesting topics. Please enjoy this fantastic interview with an extremely talented composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Nathan WhiteheadChandler PolingWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: iZLER (May 31, 2013)

The always charming and fun iZLER takes some time to talk about his work on Shameless and Revenge. The two extremely popular shows couldn't be more different and we discuss the approach of one versus the other. iZLER also reflects about his big celebratory night at the BMI Film/TV Awards where he brought home some new awards. We also discuss the challenge of recording with a live orchestra every week for his score to Revenge and the scheduling behind it. iZLER also shares some of his favorite TV scores and those that inspire him. Talking with iZLER is always a fun and amazing informative time, please enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:iZLEREmilie ErskineCW3PR
Revenge, courtesy of ABC Studios, is available on watchabc.go.com

Composer Interview: Brian Tyler (May 2, 2013)

PLEASE NOTE: This interview discusses major spoilers for Iron Man 3. There is an audible warning in the interview before we discuss them. Avoid the following times if you'd like to listen to the interview and avoid spoilers.
SPOILERS: 7:40 - 10:26
The super talented and busy Brian Tyler chats about his awesome score to Iron Man 3 and shares a bit about his upcoming score for Now You See Me. We dive right into Iron Man 3 and discuss his collaboration with director/co-writer Shane Black and what the goals for the music were. Brian shares his process for creating the big bold theme that highlights the score and infusing a sense of emotional weight for the film and Stark's character. We also discuss his approach to the Mandarin and how he handled the antagonist of this story. This leads to Tyler discussing the state of super hero scores, what he thinks a super hero score should be and he also weighs in on other composers' takes on various super hero films. Brian also shares his influences behind the caper action-thriller Now You See Me and how he really wanted to make a throwback score to the amazing caper films of the 60's with composers like Henry Mancini as a major influence. Another fantastic interview with the always fun Brian Tyler. Enjoy.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Brian TylerDan BarryJeff SandersonChasen & Company
Photo Credit: Joanne Leung

Composer Interview: Hanan Townshend (May 2, 2013)

Hanan Townshend takes some time to talk about his amazing score to Terrence Malick's To The Wonder. We delve into the process of working with one of the most respected directors in the history of the medium. He shares a bit about his history and how he came to work with Malick while attending school in Texas. The New Zealand native shares a bit about his personal journey as well and how that may have influenced his writing, which was not scored to picture. A very informative and fascinating look with a fantastic composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Hanan TownshendBeth KrakowerCinemedia Promotions