Film.Music.Media

Producer Interview: Randall Winston (February 27, 2012)

Randall Winston has produced some of TV's best series. He is Bill Lawrence's partner in crime and has produced on shows such as Spin City, Scrubs and now Cougar Town. Scrubs fans will know him as Leonard the security guard with a hook for a hand from Scrubs (one of his many cameos). Randall now serves as Co-Executive Producer on the amazing Cougar Town. I talk to Randall about his position on the show and the details about producing TV. He tells us about the different producer titles such as Associate and Executive Producers. We talk about locations, schedules, crew, music licensing and much more. He also shares an extremely bizarre and hilarious story from the set towards the end. One of the nicest guys I've met and someone I look up to in the business. Check out this great and informative interview and be sure to check out an episode of Cougar Town if you haven't done so already.

Composer Interview: Daniel Laufer (February 27, 2012)

Listen to a unique interview where a director interviews his composer. Daniel has composed two films for me, but the interview is focusing on Daniel's new album. Sunday Mood Swings is a new album from a very talented musician and filmmaker. We talk about our own collaborations as well as his own films. Not only is Daniel a composer, but a filmmaker as well. So we chat about what it's like for a director to make a film when he knows he's composing the music as well. Like what you hear in the intro and outro? Download an exclusive track from the album before it's released exclusively from Film, Music & Media!

Composer Interview: Kim Planert (February 24, 2012)

Composer Kim Planert is a fantastic new talent in the score world. He has worked under Robert Duncan who composes hit TV series like Castle, Lie To Me and The Unit. All of which Kim composed additional music for. Kim is now co-composing Missing with Robert Duncan. We talk about the journey that led him to Los Angeles and how he met Robert. We also discuss the TV scoring schedule and what his and Robert's goal was for Missing musically. Missing premieres Thursday, March 15th at 8pm on ABC.

Composer Interview: David Buckley (February 23, 2012)

David Buckley takes time to chat about his new score to the Amanda Seyfried thriller, Gone. David gives a brief recounting of how he got into music and how he met Harry Gregson-Williams who he collaborates with frequently. We chat about his approach for Gone, and his use of electronics and their function in the score. David also discusses scoring multiple films in the same genre close together and how he manages to keep things fresh. While not the first interview on FMM with David it is the first audio interview with him. Also be sure to check out his music every week on the hit TV series, The Good Wife! Enjoy!

Composer Interview: John Hunter (February 23, 2012)

Composer John Hunter scored the Academy Award nominated animated short, The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore. We chat about his approach in scoring a silent film and how the music needed to be the structure of the film. He briefly discusses the animation process of the unique story that combines almost every type of animation found in films today. The film's score is structured around the familiar tune of "Pop Goes The Weasel" so John explains how by the end of the story he didn't want it to feel like a familiar tune but the central theme of the character. The film is up for an Oscar this Sunday!

Composer Interview: Joel Douek, Freddy Sheinfeld & Elik Álvarez (February 17, 2012)

Joel Douek (The Wildest Dream, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- TV Series), Freddy Sheinfeld (La Hora Zero, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- TV Series) and Elik Álvarez (La Virgen Negra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- TV Series) all sit down for F.M.M's first roundtable discussion. The trio of composers who have worked together for many years on some of your favorite animated series team up for Kingdom Of Plants 3D. This discussion is by far the most informative and educational interview on F.M.M. Some essential information about collaboration, technique, style and approach are discussed. The guys give us a detailed and interesting look into how they tackled a documentary about plants and how saturday morning animation is the equivalent of composer boot camp. A very rewarding interview to those who listen through it. At the beginning I place some text onscreen as the 3 take their initial turns speaking so you know who is who. Enjoy!

Composer Interview: Elik Álvarez (February 17, 2012)

This interview with Elik Álvarez was done at his studio in Pasadena, CA. We talk about his start in the business and how he moved from Venezuela to California to start a family and career. Elik composed the fantastic score to La Virgen Negra and utilized Lisbeth Scott's stunning vocals in that score. He also co-composed the BBC nature documentary Kingdom Of Plants 3D. Elik also gives some tips on how to overcome the grueling task of breaking into the film industry and what to do when you ever doubt yourself. The talented composer gives one of  the most enjoyable interviews experiences on FMM. Enjoy!

Composer Interview: Michael Wandmacher (February 14, 2012)

Michael Wandmacher who has scored grindhouse B movie homages like Piranha 3D and Drive Angry brings his hard metal sound to Twisted Metal. We talk about getting his start in the business, his approach in scoring the many characters in this over the top rock score, and discuss the game's feature that allows you to play your own music instead of the in-game music. Michael's scores are extremely fun to listen to and Twisted Metal is no exception. While the tone is less "fun" and more "dark" than his previous scores it's still a hard industrial sound that separates itself from the traditional orchestral sound. This isn't your grandma's score, but Michael is definitely an awesome and fun guy to chat with. Enjoy the interview then go enjoy the game and rock on!

Composer Interview: Daniel Licht (February 14, 2012)

Daniel Licht may be known for his work on Dexter but on March 6th he will be replacing Akira Yamaoka as the sound of Silent Hill in Silent Hill: Downpour. We chat exclusively about the game and what his goals and motives were. Plus what it was like taking over for Yamaoka who has been the signature sound of the game franchise for more than a decade.

Composer Interview: Cliff Eidelman (February 12, 2012)

Composer Cliff Eidelman takes time to talk about his recent score for Big Miracle. We discuss in detail the importance of the composer/director relationship. We also focus on how to make sure the score to a family film doesn't seep into saccharine and schmaltzy territory. As you can hear from the opening intro that Big Miracle is nothing of the sort but instead is a grand sounding score with well balanced emotions. Cliff is a great guy who was part of FMM's recent composer signing. Enjoy this terrific interview!