Film.Music.Media

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

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