The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has published its latest episode in the digital documentary-style video series, Academy Originals, which examines everything from the creative process, to the moments that changed the course of filmmaking, to the artists who are charting its future. The newest episode in the Creative Sparks series features an interview with composer Theodore Shapiro (The Devils Wears Prada, Tropic Thunder, Marley & Me) who discusses his creative process and where his ideas come from. The video also features footage of the composer working on last year’s Ben Stiller-directed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty at his studio. Check out the full video after the jump.
Tag: Theodore Shapiro
Weekly Film Music Roundup (December 27, 2013)
Five new movies are opening nationwide this week:
Opening in most theaters is the fantasy comedy drama The Secret Life of Walter Mitty directed by Ben Stiller and starring himself, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn and Sean Penn. The film’s original score is composed by Theodore Shapiro (Tropic Thunder, The Devil Wears Prada) and features vocals by Jose Gonzalez. Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Click here to listen to audio clips and for more information. Shapiro has also co-written the original songs Step Out and Stay Alive with Craig Wedren. The songs performed by Gonzalez are featured on a separate soundtrack, which also includes track aby Junip, Of Monsters and Men, David Bowie and more (click here for the full details). Also visit Crave Online for an interview with Shapiro about his work on the project.
Also opening this week is The Wolf of Wall Street directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal and Jean Dujardin. The film doesn’t feature any original score. Theodore Shapiro composed a couple of cues for the infomercials and ads featured in the movie. Virgin Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from the film by artists including Billy Joel, Bo Diddley, Elmore James, Eartha Kitt, Howlin’ Wolf, The Lemonheads, Cannonball Adderley and Joe Cuba. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details.
Theodore Shapiro to Score ‘St. Vincent’
Theodore Shapiro has signed on to score the upcoming coming-of-age comedy drama St. Vincent. The movie is directed by Theodore Melfi and stars Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, Terrence Howard and Scott Adsit. The movie follows a cranky war veteran who becomes an unlikely mentor to a 12-year-old boy whose parents have divorced. Melfi has also written the screenplay, which was black listed in 2011 under the title St. Vincent de Van Nuys. Peter Chernin (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Heat) is producing the Chernin Entertainment production with Fred Roos (The Outsiders, The Black Stallion). Don Cheadle and Kay Liberman (House of Lies, Traitor) are executive producing the project for Crescendo Productions.
‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ Score Album Details
Sony Classical will release a score album for Ben Stiller’s fantasy comedy drama The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The album including the film’s original music composed by Theodore Shapiro (Tropic Thunder, The Devil Wears Prada, Marley & Me) and featuring vocals by Jose Gonzalez. The soundtrack will be released digitally on December 13, 2013 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Check out audio clips after the jump. As previously reported, Republic Records will release a separate soundtrack featuring the film’s songs, including Step Out and Stay Alive co-written by Shapiro and performed by Gonzalez. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn and Sean Penn will be released on December 25, 2013 by 20th Century Fox.
Jose Gonzalez’s ‘Stay Alive’ from ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’
The original song Stay Alive performed by Jose Gonzalez from Ben Stiller’s fantasy comedy drama The Secret Life of Walter Mitty will be released as a single. The song is composed by the movie’s composer Theodore Shapiro (Tropic Thunder, Marley & Me) and Craig Wedren (Wet Hot American Summer, The School of Rock). They have also penned the original song Step Out, which is already available to download. The Stay Alive single will be released on December 3 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon, where you can also listen to an audio clips. As previously reported, Universal Republic will release a soundtrack album for the film featuring both songs, as well as more music from the movie on December 17. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn and Sean Penn will be released nationwide on December 25, 2013 by 20th Century Fox.
Jose Gonzalez’s ‘Step Out’ from ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ Released
The original song Step Out performed by Jose Gonzalez from Ben Stiller’s upcoming dramedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has been released. The song is composed by the film’s composer Theodore Shapiro (The Devil Wears Prada, Tropic Thunder) and Craig Wedren (The School of Rock, Role Models). To download the single, visit Amazon. The song is also used in the film’s trailer, which is embedded after the jump. Universal Republic will release a soundtrack album for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty on December 17, 2013 (click here to pre-order the CD). The full album details will be posted on this site soon. The movie starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn and Sean Penn is based on James Thurber’s classic story and follows a day-dreamer who escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action.
Theodore Shapiro to Score ‘Infinitely Polar Bear’
Theodore Shapiro has been hired to score the upcoming comedy drama Infinitely Polar Bear. The film is written and directed by Maya Forbes (screenwriter of Monsters vs Aliens and The Rocker) and stars Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. The movie is set in 1978 and follows a manic depressive father who tries to win back his wife by taking responsibility for their two free spirited daughters. Wally Wolodarsky (The Kennedys), Benji Kohn, Austin Stark & Bingo Gubelmann (Detachment, Happythankyounomoreplease), Sam Bisbee & Galt Niederhoffer (Robot & Frank) are producing the Paper Street Films and Park Pictures production. JJ Abrams and Bryan Burk (Lost, Star Trek) are executive producing the project for Bad Robot.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (August 9, 2013)
Four new movies are opening in wide release this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the animated feature Planes directed by Klay Hall and featuring a voice cast including Dane Cook, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cedric the Entertainer, Val Kilmer, John Cleese, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett and Teri Hatcher. The film’s original music is composed by Mark Mancina (Tarzan, Speed Twister). Walt Disney Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as original songs by Mark Holman, Chris Classic & Alana D and Jon Stevens of The Dead Daisies. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details.
Also opening in wide release is the sci-fi action film Elysium written and directed by Neil Blomkamp and starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga, William Fichtner, Diego Luna and Carly Pope. The film’s original score is composed by Ryan Amon. Varese Sarabande has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our previous article for more information and to listen to audio clips. Also visit Film Music Magazine for an audio interview with the composers, as well as Wired and RogerEbert.com for more interviews.
Theodore Shapiro to Score David Frankel’s ‘One Chance’
Theodore Shapiro is reuniting with director David Frankel on the upcoming comedy biopic One Chance. The film stars Tony Award-winner James Corden, Alexandra Roach, Mackenzie Crook, Julie Walters and Colm Meaney. The movie tells the true story of Paul Potts, a bullied shop assistant, who performed as an amateur opera singer at night and became a YouTube phenomenon following his appearance on the reality show Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. Justin Zackham (The Bucket List, The Big Wedding) wrote the screenplay and Harvey and Bob Weinstein are producing the project with Mike Menchel, Brad Weston (Footloose), Kris Thykier (Kick-Ass, Stardust) and Simon Cowell (American Idol).
Theodore Shapiro and Ludwig Göransson Scoring ‘We’re the Millers’
Ludwig Göransson and Theodore Shapiro are co-scoring the upcoming comedy We’re the Millers. The film is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and stars Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudekis, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms, Will Poulter and Kathryn Hahn. The movie follows a veteran pot dealer who creates a fake family as part of his plan to move a huge shipment of weed into the U.S. from Mexico. Tucker Tooley & Vincent Newman (A Man Apart, Felon), Happy Walters and David Heyman (Harry Potter series, I Am Legend) are producing the New Line Cinema production. Shapiro has previously scored the director’s first two features Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and The Mysteries of Pittsburgh.