Cameron Moody is an American composer, conductor, and trumpeter based in Los Angeles, CA. His distinctive utilization of the symphony orchestra has given way to a varied resume, with project genres in film and television ranging from action and documentaries to romance and comedies. His debut project, Washington Black, hit Hulu in July and the score is a magical and transportive orchestral effort that sounds like some of the all time greats. His work is signalling a new fresh talent in music. The limited series, created by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and starring Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us, American Fiction, Paradise), called for a sweeping, cinematic score, one that reflects the global scale of its story while…
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Exclusive First Listen: Jeff Russo’s Music to ‘Alien: Earth’
This year, one of sci-fi’s biggest franchises is coming to the small screen and we can’t wait for that. Taking the helm for Alien: Earth, and bringing xenomorphs uncomfortably close to home, is Noah Hawley who is one of the most accomplished auteurs and versatile storytellers. The award-winning novelist, screenwriter, series creator, and director behind shows like Fargo and Legion will craft the same level of drama, tension, and captivating narratives for this universe. Yet, unlike Alien: Romulus which wowed audiences in theaters, you won’t have to go very far to find frights and delights because this is all coming to a TV near you. On your sofa, everyone can…
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Interview…Dominic Lewis & Hamilton Leithauser On the Intro Song to ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’
If you visit this site somewhat regularly, it should be news to no one that we love music, specifically theme music for film and television. We also love chatting with composers, songsmiths and performers about their work. As such, we had a blast speaking with Dominic Lewis & Hamilton Leithauser who tag-teamed the superb melody and lyrics for the song in the opening credits of Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV+. This mini-series about misdemeanors, mischief, misdirected hostilities and marital troubles is, even in a fictitious sense, proof that what glitters is not always gold. Nobody’s life is perfect and it’s fair to say you never truly know your…
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Interview…Theodore Shapiro Breaks Down the Music and Method of ‘Severance’ Season 2
Season 2 of Severance on Apple+ upped the ante and stakes on everything that Season 1 gave us. We got more characters, more mystery and more twists and turns than Chutes and Ladders. Suffice to say, it was weird and wild and we want to see how deep this rabbit hole really goes. And more waffle parties, please. One of the standout elements helping this dense and sophisticated story resonate is, literally, the sound palette. Composer Theodore Shapiro rejoined this ensemble to expand his catchy four-chord tune and adapted it to this season’s new narrative pathways. He was not afraid to get abstract, and even dove into specific sound design…
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Interview…Director Colleen Thurston on Commodification of Resources and Cultural Connections in ‘Drowned Land’
Winding its way through southeastern Oklahoma, the Kiamichi River is a bastion of eco-diversity. Already twice-dammed, the state of Oklahoma and a Texas corporation continue to try to commodify the remaining water, and build a hydropower plant on the small river. For a group of locals, this isn’t just a fight for a river, it is a lifelong reckoning with the cycle of land theft and displacement that began with the Trail of Tears. Now, in a region in which the community relies on the Kiamichi’s ecosystem for subsistence, taking the water out of the watershed could mean yet another relocation. This eye-opening film, which was awarded “Best Oklahoma Documentary”…
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G-S-T Review…’Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie’ – A Definitive Road Trip Documentary That Truly Has It All
What makes you laugh? Is it absurdist humor, pointed and clever observations, sarcasm, social commentary or something else entirely? Well, no matter your preference, it’s certain that Cheech & Chong have something in their arsenal to tickle your funny bone. The iconic duo has been a massive hit with audiences for more than 50 years, and the legendary stoners have gotten back together for a highly entertaining, tell-all documentary. From director/producer David Bushell comes a surprising and hilarious trip down memory lane that, like the two subjects, is anything but conventional. It’s actually quite baffling that there hasn’t been more documentation or something to chronicle their amazing career and ascendancy in comedy legend. Hat…
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Interview…Director David Bushell on Passion Projects, Nice Dreams and ‘Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie’
The iconic pairing of Cheech & Chong has been a massive hit with audiences for more than 50 years, and the legendary stoners have gotten back together for a highly entertaining, tell-all documentary. From director/producer David Bushell comes a surprising and hilarious trip down memory lane that, like the two subjects, is anything but conventional. We got to speak with Bushell about his process. As this was very much a passion project and a dream opportunity, this director’s primary focus was, and I quote, “not to fuck this up.” Further, Bushell tells us that this documentary – replete with fourth wall breaking exposition, throwback animation, thirty hours of interviews, archival…
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G-S-T Review…Tina Romero’s ‘Queens of the Dead’ Has Comedy, Commentary and Heart To Chew On
There’s a lot to love about Tina Romero‘s Queens of the Dead. In fact, the list is almost as long as the receipt for the sequins and shoes purchased by the costume department. That’s written in playful jest, but the number of topics that present themselves in her feature length debut deserve a round of applause for boldness, cohesion, conviction, and execution (in story and in zombie kills). What sounds like a ludicrous idea on paper turns out to have a lot of heart, and the relationships in Tina‘s film are just as strong as those in her legendary father’s work nearly sixty years ago. The set up is unconventional,…
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Interview…Brandi Burkhardt on Singing, Dreaming and Summertime Fun
We had a lot of fun on the show today with Brandi Burkhardt. This seasoned song siren has done it all – from stage to screen to voice overs and more. She’s had a memorable role as ‘Crickett Watts’ on Hart of Dixie and in films like Confessions of a Shopaholic and A24’s Friendship (which is in theaters now). Burkhardt has also done many guest spots on hit television shows such as Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother, Boston Legal, Numb3rs, Brothers & Sisters, The Defenders, NCIS and others. Performing is in her blood, and when she’s not acting, she’s turning heads with her sensational voice that is suited…
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Interview…Molly Rogers on Violin, Vocals and Melodic Brilliance
They say that “practice makes perfect.” Yet, in any profession, practice really just makes you better. The pursuit of excellence and precision is constant for many musicians. They may second guess themselves along the way, but as an audience member, seeing what they do is almost like watching magic. Today we feature one such individual who is so accomplished and proficient, we’re not even sure she’s human. Violinist and vocalist Molly Rogers has incomparable skills, an otherworldly sound, and she works hard at her craft. Like really hard. After all, you don’t get this good overnight. But that last one is important because as a contractor, you never know if…
