Sometimes you can meet a person and the way they look at life, their experiences, or just a few choice words can change the way you think about things. Having conducted over 200 composer interviews – each with unique stories from the industry – this particular podcast was one for the books for a number of reasons. We spoke with Julia Newman about her work on the second season of FEUD on FX. Most of the session was spent talking about life, her time in school, family ties to the industry and the valuable connections and foundation she’s made for herself. But mere minutes into the session (even before hitting…
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Ohhh, Look…Three 'Saving Mr. Banks' Featurettes
When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise – one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt faced the curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who had absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stopped selling and money grew short, Travers reluctantly agreed to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation. For two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulled out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs…
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G-S-T Review…Skyfall
Even after 4 years, Quantum of Solace still leaves a rather bland taste in mouths of Bond fans (though much of the flat reception the film was met with can be chalked up to the writer’s strike). As such, Bond would have a lot of making up to do in his next outing. But thanks to another solid turn from Daniel Craig, a fantastic cast to play opposite, great story, music and all of this under the artistic eye of Sam Mendes, Skyfall is not only one the franchises’ best installments but easily sits among the likes of the most beloved Connery films. Sounds like lofty praise but really it earns and…
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Ohhh, Listen…Preview Thomas Newman’s Score From ‘Skyfall’
On October 5th fans around the globe celebrated the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite secret agent. Like a steam roller, Bond 23 has been pushing toward its November 9th release date. From an Oscar-winning director (and his video blogs), to a simply top drawer cast, to Adele’s sensationally Bond-esqe title song, it looks like Skyfall and will live up to the hype. Well as fans of films scores we at G-S-T were over the moon to find out that Thomas Newman would be lending his talents to the 007 franchise. As regular composer David Arnold had to bow out to help work on the 2012 Olympics, we’re excited to see what Newman will bring to the table.…
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Thomas Newman Steps In To Score Sam Mendes' Bond Film 'Skyfall'
After composer David Arnold’s five film run scoring Bond films, Oscar-nominee Thomas Newman will now be stepping in to lend his musical genius to the newest Bond adventure Skyfall. That sounds like great news to me, but he might not ring a bell with you at home so here’s a few titles you might recall. Those of you Pixar fans will recognize his work from Finding Nemo and Wall-E. He’s also had his share of weighty and dramatic period pieces with Revolutionary Road, Cinderella Man and The Help. His scores are always highly emotional and pensive but how will that translate to the high octane world of MI 6’s most famous 00 agent? Guess we’ll find out…
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FourScore Match-Up #10: "Evolution of the PIXAR Score"
The Pixar catalog has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 25 years. While they have won countless millions of hearts in all age ranges, Pixar has come from being a cutsey little animation company (started by John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs) making commercials to an animation powerhouse. They are gifted story telllers who give such life and depth to inanimate objects like toys, cars and robots. Like anything, with growth comes change and progress. That said, most should have noticed both their stories and musical scores taking a more adult approach. Starting with Randy Newman’s light and airy themes, the soundtracks to the films in Pixar’s resume have blossomed to…
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FourScore Match-Up #7: "Batteries Not Included"
Today we’ve got robots, robots everywhere; good, bad, big, small, made of new parts and spare parts. Each film features four equally impressive scores about peace, love, family and even all out war. Quite a mixed bag of bolts, wouldn’t you say? In true Rock’em Sock’em format we pit these big guys (and not so big guys) up against one another. Leave it to great composers to craft such amazing scores to make you feel emotional for walking trash cans. So which of these can take a licking and keep on ticking?? Is the story of a boy and his Giant, How about that gorgeous CG moral lesson touting we can…
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FourScore Match-Up #4: "Somewhere in Time"
Today we’re going back, way back. Back in time in fact, but no we’re not using a time machine; today we’re doing period pieces. Each of these is from a different time, a different place, have wildly different plots…but the one thing they share is that they are visually gorgeous and their scores are just fantastic. But with four standout and stellar scores, only one of these makes the trip worth the effort. But which one is it?? Find out after the jump…
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FourScore Match-Up #3: "Something Inspirational…In a Sporty Way"
Today we examine four film scores that help tell stories that are less about the that championship game/match/season/event but more about gaining personal pride. On the roster we have: the Fighting Irish’s most famous underdog football player, the middle-aged ball player who gets a second chance, the two Olympic sprinters running for different and personal reasons, or the man who refuses to let his own setbacks affect his family. One thing these different athletes have in common is that each of these inspiring tales span generations. But which is the mostinspirational?? Find out after the jump…
