When a film score hits the right notes, and propels the narrative in film, TV, video games or even a short, the results can be absolutely breathtaking. Sure, we all expect the sound that composers craft (guided by the picture or from conversations with the director) to do the heavy lifting, but even when it stays out of the way, as they say, timing is everything. And what ace composer John Paesano does to the above-mentioned properties has the ability to get us invested in such a short amount of time with a single key, a full symphony, or just plain silence.
From a young age, Paesano knew film music was his destiny thanks in large part to another John’s work: Williams’ highly emotional score to Empire of the Sun. That one is quite inspiring for any composer because it juxtaposes some truly harsh and life-shattering situations against a nebulously dreamy, almost delusional exposition. A masterclass for sure, John gleaned so much from this to set him on his path.
Paesano first popped on our radar when Mondo released the vinyl to the Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game soundtrack in conjunction with Hollywood Records. And what a treat it was! We were floored by the music, and its effectiveness in a standalone listening experience. Check out our glowing review here.
This year, we get to see the continuation of the modern Apes series while also writing/charting its own unique story. What director Wes Ball and Peasano created for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has a lived-in sound, one with a real richness that blends harshness and harmony, beauty and boldness. He takes the languages set in place by Jerry Goldsmith and Michael Giacchino then puts it through the Paesano pipeline. The result is, as hinted above, breathtaking.
Now did John get here overnight? No, he did not. He’s run the gamut of projects from young adult adaptations to episodic TV and video games about superheroes, even kids properties. So he’s had the chance to find out what works for all ages, interests and demographics. Even in this new and notable blockbuster, John’s process has always taken an old-school approach where he goes big and views the project as a whole as opposed to attacking each scene on its own. A suite is written that sets the tone and scale of the score, then he and a music editor shape it to fit the scenes. That approach is the best way to make it feel truly cohesive.
On today’s show we get into all of that and more. We were joined by our friend Jeron Moore, Executive Producer and Head of Development at Apogee Entertainment. As fans of John’s work we had tons of questions, so enjoy this super relaxed chat about his life in music. Spoiler: he leads a pretty cool life!!
photo credit: Todd Williamson
Check out more of John’s work at his website and YouTube or follow him on Instagram. Also, The score to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is being released on vinyl by Made By Mutant. Click here to check it out and pick up a copy. What a wonderful album!
