Film.Music.Media

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

Composer Interview: Garry Shyman (April 21, 2013)

The absolutely amazing Garry Schyman takes some time to talk about his tremendous score to BioShock Infinite, the latest installment in the groundbreaking franchise. Garry shares about how he found his niche and love for video game scores and why it appeals to him as a composer. We then discuss BioShock Infinite as Garry delves into his approach for the series starting back with the first game and how the music has evolved. We discuss a bit about the technical side of scoring the game such as what point in the process does he come in and start writing music and much more. A great insight with a premiere composer and great talent.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Garry SchymanGreg O'Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR

Composer Interview: Jason Graves (April 21, 2013)

Jason Graves takes some time to chat about his amazing score to Tomb Raider. The renowned game composer also shares about his work on the Dead Space games including the recent Dead Space 3. We talk about the state of video game music, his process and approach, and much more. A very fun and fascinating chat with a terrific composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Jason GravesGreg O'Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR

Composer Interview: Trevor Morris (March 19, 2013)

Trevor Morris is a two-time Emmy winner and is also the most Emmy nominated composer of the past 2 years. Trevor has done amazing work across all mediums and has impressed with his work on The Tudors, The Borgias, The Pillars Of The Earth and most recently Vikings. On the film front Trevor gave us a taste of big action with Immortals and continues in a different realm this year with Antoine Fuqua's Olympus Has Fallen. We chat about his work on Vikings and Olympus Has Fallen, scoring different periods of history, the action genre, infusing emotion, working with Antoine Fuqua, his love of wine and so much more. Trevor has always been a favorite of mine over his career so it was a great pleasure and honor to once again have a chat with him.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Trevor MorrisJana Davidoff-MorrisonCW3PR

Composer Interview: Reinhold Heil (March 5, 2013)

Reinhold Heil discusses in great analytical depth the score of Cloud Atlas, which he co-composed with Tom Tykwer and Johnny Klimek. In a fascinating interview, he shares how the trio came to be friends and frequent collaborators. He shares the dynamic of working with Tom Tykwer who is also the director. We talk about how they like to compose music first instead of it being the last part of the filmmaking puzzle. This opens up great conversation about how the music became the backbone of the film and how integral it was to the story. This was an incredibly fascinating chat with such a talented and knowledgable composer. A highly recommended listen.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Reinhold HeilBeth KrakowerCinemedia Promotions

Composer Interview: John Ottman (March 1, 2013)

John Ottman talks Jack And The Giant Slayer in an interview that is extremely informative and an absolute blast! We chat about the nightmarish logistics behind being the composer, editor and associate producer on a project. In a completely fun fashion he discusses the dread he feels when Bryan Singer calls him up for a film since he knows lots of hard work is to follow, but it always pays off. John shares his approach to editing, why he edits first and scores last, how he's thinking creatively during his first read of the script, and so much more. This interview is extremely informative and extremely fun. John also spills a little bit about X-Men: Days Of Future Past and shares his frustration about the lack of musical continuity in most comic book film franchises. One of the most entertaining and engaging interviews on F.M.M and a real honor. Enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:John OttmanRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Carlos José Alvarez (March 1, 2013)

Composer Carlos José Alvarez takes some time to discuss his wonderful score for Cubamerican. Alvarez has composed great work for films like Deadline starring Brittany Murphy and Discover The Gift directed by Demian Lichtenstein. He also collaborated with Deborah Lurie on her scores for 9 and One For The Money. Cubamerican is a documentary about the millions of Cubans forced into exile from communist Cuba, and how they started their new lives in the United States. Carlos not only shares his approach to his scoring, but the personal journey he took while working on the film. This interview is very special because we really discuss how filmmaking and scoring go hand in hand with the human journey. Carlos really became connected with his Cuban heritage and learned a lot about what his parents went through. He shares how it was his uncle who actually led him to get the job as composer on this film, and how he recommended his brother to be the editor. His filmmaking journey became a family affair and his music became a reflection of himself and the responsibility he felt for the film. A truly wonderful interview with a great composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Carlos José AlvarezRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Jeff Rona (February 27, 2013)

The super talented Jeff Rona takes some time to talk about his recent score for Phantom. Jeff talks in detail about his approach to scoring as he reflects on some of his past scores. Jeff discusses his approach to Phantom and what his goals for the music were. He shares how he recorded sounds while on the submarine set of the film and incorporated them into the soundscape of the score. We also touch on the use of world instrumentation and sounds in film scores and what his views on that are. One of the most interesting and enlighthening interviews on F.M.M and a true pleasure. Enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Jeff RonaStefan KarrerMilan Records

Composer Interview: Susan Deyhim (February 27, 2013)

Composer and renowned vocalist Sussan Deyhim speaks about her work on Alexandre Desplat's score to Oscar Best Picture winner Argo. We discuss the use of vocals in scores today and her experience working with different composers. She shares her experience on Argo and how she worked with Desplat to create the vocal textures in the score as well as add a personal human element. This is a fantastic chat with a composer who truly connects with her music on a personal level, and is able to add a deep human touch to other composers' works with her voice. Enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Sussan DeyhimRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications
Photo Credit:Tino Rodriguez & Virgo Paraiso