This past Sunday, the Newport Beach Film Festival Seminar Series presented the composer panel Lights, Camera, Action – Music for Action Films (and other genres). Tim Greiving moderated a panel of film composers who – challenged with the on-screen fights and explosions – offered insight into how the score works in harmony with the film’s visual elements, sound effects and getting all the elements to co-exist. Participating composers included Christophe Beck (Frozen, The Hangover) who discussed the challenges of scoring this summer’s Edge of Tomorrow directed by Doug Liman and starring Tom Cruise. Christopher Young (Spider-Man 3, Entrapment) talked about his music for this year’s Chinese martial arts action movie The Monkey King, which became one the nation’s highest grossing film at the local box office.
Month: May 2014
Apparat to Score Drake Doremus’ ‘Equals’
German electronic musician Apparat is set to compose the music for the upcoming sci-fi romance Equals. The film is directed by Drake Doremus and stars Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. The movie is set in the future and centers on a couple young couple rebelling against their society where emotions have been eradicated. Nathan Parker (Moon) has written the screenplay. Ridley Scott is producing the project with Michael Schaefer (Exodus: Gods and Kings), Ann Ruark (The Beaver, The Motel Life), Jay Stern and Chip Diggins (Love and Honor). Doremus’ previous two features Like Crazy and Breathe In were scored by Dustin O’Halloran. Equals marks Apparat’s first time composing original music for film.
‘Lullaby’ to Feature Music by Patrick Leonard
Patrick Leonard has composed the music for the upcoming indie comedy drama Lullaby. The film is written and directed by Andrew Levitas and stars Garrett Hedlund, Richard Jenkins, Amy Adams, Jessica Brown Findlay, Anne Archer, Terrence Howard, Jennifer Hudson and Jessica Barden. The movie centers on a man estranged from his family, who receives word that his ill father has chosen to take himself off life support in less than 48 hours. Andrea Stone-Brokaw and Cary Brokaw (Short Cuts, Closer, Sex and Death 101 are producing the project. Budd Carr (JFK, Natural Born Killers, Donnie Brasco) serves as the film’s executive music producer.
Lucas Vidal and Chris Ramsdell Launch Music House for Motion Picture Advertising Chroma
Music and Motion Productions’ Lucas Vidal and music supervisor Chris Ramsdell have teamed up to launch Chroma, a new music house for motion picture advertising. The project is a collaboration between Vidal, the composer of such films as Fast & Furious 6, The Raven, The Quiet Ones and The Cold Light of Day and Ramsdell who has placed music in such campaigns as The Hunger Games, Django Unchained, Transformers and The Hobbit and who serves as the company’s creative director. Chroma kickstarts its sonic enterprise with a 65-track showcase album, which was recorded with a 50-piece choir, full string orchestra, 20-piece brass section and 12 french horns. To listen to previews of the debut sampler, which ranges from dark hybrid to epic orchestral sounds, click here and visit Chroma’s official website to learn more about the company.
‘Night Moves’ Soundtrack Details
Milan Records will release a soundtrack album for the thriller Night Moves. The album features the film’s original music composed by Jeff Grace (We Are What We Are, The Innkeepers, The House of the Devil) who previously collaborated with the movie’s director Kelly Reichardt on Meek’s Cutoff. The soundtrack will be released on June 3, 2014 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The album is already available overseas. Night Moves stars Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard. The movie follows three radical environmentalists who are plotting the explosion of a hydroelectric dam—the symbol of the energy-sucking, resource-devouring industrial culture they despise.
Nick Urata to Score ‘Focus’
Nick Urata has been tapped to score the upcoming caper comedy Focus. The film is written and directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa and stars Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Rodrigo Santoro. The movie follows a con man who becomes romantically involved with a novice and is thrown off his game when the former flame shows up just as he’s staging an elaborate con in Buenos Aires. Denise Di Novi (Edward Scissorshand, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman Returns) is producing the Warner Bros. Pictures production. Urata has previously composed the music for the directors’ I Love You Phillip Morris and also co-scored their last feature Crazy, Stupid, Love. and contributed music to their TV pilot Back in the Game.