Film.Music.Media

Composer Interview: Rob Simonsen (February 19, 2013)

Rob Simonsen is a wonderfully talented composer who takes some time to chat about two films he scored that recently played at Sundance, The Way, Way Back and The Spectacular Now. Simonsen shares how he met Mychael Danna and ended up becoming his protege, including what he learned most from him. Simonsen worked on many of Mychael Danna's scores and quickly branched off on his own. Simonsen co-scored the acclaimed Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World as well. We chat about his approach to his two recent Sundance darlings, working on back-to-back projects, his sources for inspiration and much more. A great interview with a talented and fresh voice in the industry.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Rob SimonsenChandler PolingThomas MikuszWhite Bear PR

Composer Interview: Nan Schwartz (February 17, 2013)

Composer and prolific orchestrator Nan Schwartz takes some time to talk about her work on Alexandre Desplat's Argo as well as Mychael Danna's Life Of Pi. She shares how she became interested in film composing and her family's rich musical history. We talk in depth about the role of the orchestrator and her working relationship with Desplat, whom she has collaborated with many times. She also shares her experience working with Danna on Life Of Pi. We talk about her own work as a composer as well and how she approaches music when she is writing it. An amazing and enlightening interview with a wonderful talent.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Nan SchwartzRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Kevin Riepl (February 15, 2013)

Composer Kevin Riepl takes some time to talk about his score to the highly anticipated, Aliens: Colonial Marines. Kevin is no stranger to the video game world as he composed the score to the best-seller Gears Of War. In this interview he shares a little about his background and his scoring process. We go into great detail about how games are scored almost in layers, and the challenges he faced to build suspense and tension when it's the player that dictates pacing. He also shares how he wanted to reference Jerry Goldsmith's and James Horner's scores to their respective films, but also make it a new entry in the Alien universe. Kevin also reveals that he's going to score Cabin Fever: Patient Zero this year. A great chat with a very talented composer.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Kevin RieplGreg O'Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR

Composer Interview: Atli Örvarsson (January 17, 2013)

The incredibly talented Atli Örvarsson talks about his recent score to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. This high energy and incredibly fun score combines classic fairytale elements with a modern twist. Atli shares how he approached the film and his writing process behind it. We also discuss his working relationship with director Tommy Wirkola. Apart from the film we we discuss some technical aspects of scoring including how surround sound comes into play with his composing process, and much more! Enjoy this terrific chat!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Atli ÖrvarssonRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications

Composer Interview: FM Le Sieur (January 17, 2013)

The always energetic FM Le Sieur talks about his score to the hit SyFy Channel show, Being Human. We delve into how he decided to approach the show and find the perfect sound for the music. We also talk about approaching the seasons as 1 big arc versus taking it on 1 episode at a time. He shares how he must try and shield himself from the UK version of the show that airs on BBC but enjoys it after he's finished with his work. We also touch upon what he thinks is the hardest emotion to score as well where he finds inspiration for his music. One of the more enjoyable interviews I've had with a composer. Enjoy!
Check Out The Being Human Soundtrack, Available Now!https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/being-human/id587946606
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:FM Le SieurEmilie ErskineCW3 Public Relations

Composer Interview: Joe Kraemer (December 23, 2012)

Composer Joe Kraemer talks about his fantastic score to Jack Reacher. We chat about his friendship and collaboration with writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, his approach and what 70's scores influenced him, as well as his journey to getting the job. Joe also talks about how unique it is score a film with no temp score, which was the case with Jack Reacher. He shares details about balancing score with sound effects and how he decided to record a 90-piece orchestra all at once instead of one section at a time. A fascinating and detailed look at scoring from a strong voice in the industry. It was a real pleasure to chat with Joe, please enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joe KraemerRay CostaAlex MayCosta Communications

Composer Interview: Ramin Djawadi (December 22, 2012)

The always delightful Ramin Djawadi talks about his busy year that includes Game Of Thrones, Person Of Interest, Red Dawn, Safe House and Medal Of Honor: Warfighter. We chat extensively about the differences between working on a cable show and a network show. He shares a lot about his process for Game Of Thrones, what it's like scoring a procedural type show like Person Of Interest and his return to the Medal Of Honor franchise. Ramin was the first composer ever to have an audio interview on Film, Music & Media and it was a pleasure to talk to him once more. Ramin will be composing the highly anticipated Pacific Rim for Guillermo del Toro next year. Enjoy!
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Ramin DjawadiBeth KrakowerCinemedia Promotions

Composer Interview: Joshua R. Mosley & David Kates (December 2, 2012)

Composers Joshua R. Mosley and David Kates talk about their teaming up for the feature length animated film, Mass Effect: Paragon Lost. The film, which further explores the Mass Effect universe through the backstory of James Vega from Mass Effect 3 played by Freddie Prinze, Jr. The two talk about how they came to collaborate together. Joshua talks about what he wanted to add to the Mass Effect universe and David talks about how he wanted to continue what he and previous collaborators established in Mass Effect 1 & 2. The duo also explains scoring an animated feature and how they've actually never met the director Atsushi Takeuchi who hails from Japan. A great interview with two fantastic composers.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Joshua R. MosleyDavid KatesGreg O' Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR

Composer Interview: J. Ralph (November 17, 2012)

Composer J. Ralph talks about his recent score to Chasing Ice. Chasing Ice is a fascinating look behind James Balog's quest to gain physical proof of climate change. Ralph talks about his approach for documentaries including his work on The Cove and Man On Wire. He describes what he wanted to achieve musically especially here with Chasing Ice and all its amazing cinematography. We touch on Hurricane Sandy, which devastated his hometown in New York and how Sandy was a sobering wakeup call that echoes the message of the film. Ralph is a self taught composer with no training or classical music knowledge and to hear his approach as a musician who works based off feeling was supremely interesting.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:J. RalphJeff SandersonDan BarryChasen & Company
Photography Credit:C. Taylor Crothers

Composer Interview: Yoav Goren (November 7, 2012)

Yoav Goren is an amazing composer who is also the co-founder of Immediate Music, a music production company that specializes in trailer music. Immediate Music a true original in the market of trailer music companies. Since the early 90's you have probably heard their iconic music in tons of advertising campaigns. Yoav talks about the nature of the business and we chant about how trailers are an underappreciated art form. We discuss how trailers have changed over the years and trends that have come and gone. I also ask Yoav to share is thoughts on the Inception trailer trend that has just recently started to die down. We also discuss how demand for this music from the public has grown and why he decided to start releasing their music on albums, including the recent Trailerhead: Triumph album. A great and insightful interview with a composer who has been part of my musical listening for as long as I've been listening.
Interview Conducted By:Kaya Savas
Special Thanks:Yoav GorenGreg O' Connor-ReadTop Dollar PR