The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hosted its 27th Annual Film & Television Music Awards last Thursday night, June 28, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The awards celebration honored composers of the top box office film music, the most performed television music and the top video game music of 2011. The honorees included composers Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, John Powell, Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard, Carter Burwell, Trent Reznor and Patrick Doyle. Check out the full list of winners after the jump. As previously reported, Trevor Rabin was this year’s recipient of the Henry Mancini Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the world of film and television music.
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Mike Mogis & Nate Walcott Scoring ‘Writers’
Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott are scoring the upcoming indie comedy drama Writers. The film is written and directed by Josh Boone and stars Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Collins, Kristen Bell, Logan Lerman, Nat Wolff, Liana Liberato, Rusty Joiner and Patrick Schwarzenegger. The movie explores the complicated relationships between a successful novelist, his ex-wife and their collegiate daughter and teenage son. The dramedy also features a cameo appearance by author Stephen King. Judy Cairo (Crazy Heart, Hysteria) is producing the project for Informant Media.
‘Ruby Sparks’ Soundtrack Details
Milan Records will be releasing the official soundtrack album for the comedy drama Ruby Sparks. The album features film’s original score composed by Nick Urata who previously worked with the directors on Little Miss Sunshine as part of the indie folk group DeVotchKa. Also included are two French pop tracks by PlasticBetrand (Ca Plane Pour Moi) and Sylvie Vartan (Quand Tu Es La). The soundtrack will be released on July 24, 2012 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Audio clips from all tracks on the album can be checked out below. Ruby Sparks directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris stars Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Annette Bening, Chris Messina, Alia Shawkat, Antonio Banderas, Deborah Ann Woll, Steve Coogan, Elliott Gould and Toni Trucks.
‘Sparkle’ Soundtrack Details
RCA Records has revealed the details of the soundtrack release for the upcoming musical drama Sparkle. The album features recorded performances from the late Whitney Houston, as well as tracks from Jordin Sparks and CeeLo Green including I’m A Man, Hooked On Your Love and Look Into Your Heart. Also included on the album is the first single Celebrate produced by R. Kelly featuring Sparks and Houston (check out the music video after the jump). The soundtrack will be released on July 31, 2012 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Sparkle directed by Salim Akil (Jumping The Broom, Soul Food) stars Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps and CeeLo Green. Sony Pictures will release the film in theaters nationwide on August 17.
‘Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present’ Soundtrack Released
Copticon Music has released soundtrack album for the documentary Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present. The album features the film’s original score composed by Nathan Halpern. The soundtrack is now available to download on iTunes, where you can also check out audio clips from all 15 tracks on the release. Also visit Copticon’s website for more audio previews. Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present directed by Matthew Akers follows the life of the controversial, transgressive performance artist through to her headline-grabbing MOMA retrospective in 2010. The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and went on to win awards at the Berlin International Film Festival (Audience Award), the Champs Elysees Film Festival (Audience Award), and the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival (Special Jury Prize).
William Ross Scoring Lifetime’s ‘Steel Magnolias’
William Ross has recently recorded his music for the Lifetime drama Steel Magnolias. The film is a remake of the 1989 feature written by Robert Harling, directed by Herbert Ross and starring Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Julia Roberts. The movie follows the lives and friendship of six Louisiana-based women who congregate regularly at Truvy’s beauty shop and stars Queen Latifah as M’Lynn, Alfre Woodard as Ouiser, Phylicia Rashad as Clairee, Jill Scott as Truvy, Adepero Oduye as Annelle and Condola Rashad as Shelby. Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun) is directing the film and Sally Robinson (Iron Jawed Angels) has adapted the material for television.
‘Used Cars’ Soundtrack Announced
La-La Land Records has announced the world premiere soundtrack release for the 1980 comedy Used Cars directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Kurt Russell, Gerrit Graham, Frank McRae, Deborah Harmon and Jack Warden. The album features the film’s original score composed by Patrick Williams, along with the title song Used Cars penned by the composer and performed by Bobby Bare. The CD also features the unused score composed by Ernest Gold (It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). The soundtrack will be released on July 31, 2012. The label and Creature Feature will also be holding a soundtrack celebration, which includes a screening of the film and a live panel with composer Williams, writer Bob Gale (Back to the Future) and Deborah Harmon who are all scheduled to attend. The event will take place on July 31 at 7:30 pm at Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood. Visit Creature Features’ website for the full details and to order tickets.
Philip Miller Scoring ‘The Girl’
Philip Miller is scoring the upcoming drama The Girl. The film is directed by Julian Jarrold and stars Toby Jones as Alfred Hitchcock and Sienna Miller as Tippi Hedren who starred in the filmmaker’s The Birds and Marnie. The movie chronicles the obsessive relationship the director had with the actress. Also starring are Imelda Staunton as Alma Hitchcock and Penelope Wilton as Peggy Robertson, Hitchcock’s loyal assistant. Gwyneth Hughes (Miss Austen Regrets) has written the screenplay for the BBC Two production and Amanda Jenks (An Englishman in New York) is producing the project. HBO Films is co-producing the TV drama. Jarrold has previously collaborated with composer Adrian Johnston on his previous four features, including Becoming Jane, Brideshead Revisited and Kinky Boots. Miller’s best known previous credit is Phillip Noyce’s 2006 drama Catch a Fire starring Tim Robbins and Derek Luke. The Girl is expected to air later this year on BBC Two.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (June 29, 2012)
Four new movies are opening wide in theaters this weekend:
Expected to top the weekend box office is the comedy Ted directed by Seth MacFarlane and starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi and Joel McHale. The film’s score is composed by Walter Murphy (Family Guy, American Dad). Universal Republic has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music, as well the original song Everybody Needs a Best Friend performed by Norah Jones and tracks by Queen, Daphne, Hootie and the Blowfish, Rita Coolidge and Tiffany. Check out our previous article for more information and visit ASCAP for an interview with Murphy on his major studio feature scoring debut.
Also opening wide is the dramedy Magic Mike directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Cody Horn, Olivia Munn, Matt Bomer, Riley Keough, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias. WaterTower Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from the film by artists including Alice Russell, Countre Black, Foreigner, The Unknown, Black Daniel, Cloud Control, Joe Tex, Win Win featuring Blaqstarr and Beth Thornley. To check out audio clips and find out more about the release, visit our soundtrack announcement.
Five Film Composers Invited to Join the Academy
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures to join the organization. Among the invited artists this year are five film composers, including former Oscar nominee Albert Iglesias who has received three Academy Award nominations for The Constant Gardener, The Kite Runner and last year’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, previous Oscar recipient Ryuichi Sakamoto who won the award for co-scoring 1988’s The Last Emperor with David Byrne and Cong Su, as well as the most recent Academy Award winner in the Best Original Score category Ludovic Bource who received the award for his music for The Artist at this year’s ceremony.