Adrian Stephens's Blog - Posts Tagged "composers"
#17 - Composing a Masterpiece
Have you ever finished watching a movie, and as you're walking out with your friends or family, started discussing all of the scenes that made the movie great? Or terrible?
The funny thing about movies, not unlike books, one or two great scenes don't make it good. So, what makes a movie truly great? There are lots of possible answers to this question. It was really funny, the action was mind-blowing, it made me cry...
As I watch a movie, I'm subconsciously collecting scenes that I love (or don't like). My final impression of a movie will be based on that collection of scenes and how strong they evoked an emotion from me. But there is something more, something that I believe truly makes or breaks a movie.
Think about your favorite movie of all-time. If you can't think of one favorite, pick one in your top ten. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Titanic, Avatar...no matter what the movie you're thinking of right now, I bet it had a great film score. Yep, that's the key. Without the music that accompanies our favorite movies, they would be a skeleton of what we know and love.
Just take Star Wars as an example (if you haven't seen Star Wars, I'm sorry. You should go watch it right now and then come right back to this spot. Go on now, this is important. We'll wait!). Think about the intro when 'Star Wars' flashes on the screen (how many of you have the music playing in your head right now?). Before your first action sequence, before the first character takes to the screen, John Williams already has your attention and, if you're like me, you're excited for what's coming next.
Now imagine Star Wars without any music. None...zilch. The opening credits scroll...in silence. As the Rebel Fleet waits for the Empire to blast the hull door, there is no anticipation...just silence.
I remember reading somewhere about when George Lucas was screening Star Wars to a group of friends and peers, including Steven Spielberg. The screening was done prior to the final sound effects and film score being put in place. My understanding is that the group, including Mr. Spielberg, were not overly impressed with the film, and that they didn't feel the magic that it later became. Why? The score. Not to take anything away from George Lucas, but a movie needs a strong score to truly be great.
John Williams has written many of the great sci-fi action film scores, though his range extends beyond the genre. But, there are many great composers out there who can craft a good story into a masterpiece.
For those of you who have never considered the world of film scores, consider these musicians and some of their more recognizable work (click on their names for a more complete list from IMDB.com):
John Williams - Star Wars I-VI, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and..., E.T., Harry Potter, Jaws, Schindler's List...this list goes on forever.
James Horner - Avatar, The Amazing Spider-Man, A Beautiful Mind, The Perfect Storm, Titanic, Apollo 13, Braveheart, Patriot Games, Cocoon, Field of Dreams...
Hans Zimmer - Inception, Pearl Harbor, The Lion King, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, A League of Their Own, Kung Fu Panda, The Last Samurai, some of the Mission Impossibles and Pirates of the Caribbean scores...
The late Jerry Goldsmith - Star Trek (several in this series), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Air Force One, First Knight, Forever Young, First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Twilight Zone: The Movie...
Danny Elfman - Men in Black I-III, Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Batman, Batman Returns, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...
As a huge fan of the television shows Lost, Fringe and the all too short lived Alcatraz, I have to include:
Michael Giacchino - Lost, Fringe, Alcatraz, Star Trek, Speed Racer, Mission: Impossible III, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol...
So, considering all of the amazing composers out there to make our favorite movies into masterpieces, the question begs...if you were making a movie, who would be the top composer to put your movie over the top?
I've thought about this quite a bit. For In My Shoes, I thought about it quite a bit. If I were going to take my book to the big screen, I'm thinking Hans Zimmer would be the best composer to make it great. I envision something along the lines of A League of Their Own, with a moving score that captures both the comedic and the dramatic moments with perfectly balanced emotion.
Feel free to chime in. If you think a different composer would make a better fit for my book, let me know your thoughts. If you'd like to tell me who would write the score to the story in your mind, let me know that too!
The hardcover of In My Shoes is on sale through the end of October. Check out my website or Amazon.com for details!
Update - Weigh in on the poll question for who you would want composing your masterpiece here!
The funny thing about movies, not unlike books, one or two great scenes don't make it good. So, what makes a movie truly great? There are lots of possible answers to this question. It was really funny, the action was mind-blowing, it made me cry...
As I watch a movie, I'm subconsciously collecting scenes that I love (or don't like). My final impression of a movie will be based on that collection of scenes and how strong they evoked an emotion from me. But there is something more, something that I believe truly makes or breaks a movie.
Think about your favorite movie of all-time. If you can't think of one favorite, pick one in your top ten. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Titanic, Avatar...no matter what the movie you're thinking of right now, I bet it had a great film score. Yep, that's the key. Without the music that accompanies our favorite movies, they would be a skeleton of what we know and love.
Just take Star Wars as an example (if you haven't seen Star Wars, I'm sorry. You should go watch it right now and then come right back to this spot. Go on now, this is important. We'll wait!). Think about the intro when 'Star Wars' flashes on the screen (how many of you have the music playing in your head right now?). Before your first action sequence, before the first character takes to the screen, John Williams already has your attention and, if you're like me, you're excited for what's coming next.
Now imagine Star Wars without any music. None...zilch. The opening credits scroll...in silence. As the Rebel Fleet waits for the Empire to blast the hull door, there is no anticipation...just silence.
I remember reading somewhere about when George Lucas was screening Star Wars to a group of friends and peers, including Steven Spielberg. The screening was done prior to the final sound effects and film score being put in place. My understanding is that the group, including Mr. Spielberg, were not overly impressed with the film, and that they didn't feel the magic that it later became. Why? The score. Not to take anything away from George Lucas, but a movie needs a strong score to truly be great.
John Williams has written many of the great sci-fi action film scores, though his range extends beyond the genre. But, there are many great composers out there who can craft a good story into a masterpiece.
For those of you who have never considered the world of film scores, consider these musicians and some of their more recognizable work (click on their names for a more complete list from IMDB.com):
John Williams - Star Wars I-VI, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and..., E.T., Harry Potter, Jaws, Schindler's List...this list goes on forever.
James Horner - Avatar, The Amazing Spider-Man, A Beautiful Mind, The Perfect Storm, Titanic, Apollo 13, Braveheart, Patriot Games, Cocoon, Field of Dreams...
Hans Zimmer - Inception, Pearl Harbor, The Lion King, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, A League of Their Own, Kung Fu Panda, The Last Samurai, some of the Mission Impossibles and Pirates of the Caribbean scores...
The late Jerry Goldsmith - Star Trek (several in this series), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Air Force One, First Knight, Forever Young, First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Twilight Zone: The Movie...
Danny Elfman - Men in Black I-III, Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Batman, Batman Returns, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...
As a huge fan of the television shows Lost, Fringe and the all too short lived Alcatraz, I have to include:
Michael Giacchino - Lost, Fringe, Alcatraz, Star Trek, Speed Racer, Mission: Impossible III, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol...
So, considering all of the amazing composers out there to make our favorite movies into masterpieces, the question begs...if you were making a movie, who would be the top composer to put your movie over the top?
I've thought about this quite a bit. For In My Shoes, I thought about it quite a bit. If I were going to take my book to the big screen, I'm thinking Hans Zimmer would be the best composer to make it great. I envision something along the lines of A League of Their Own, with a moving score that captures both the comedic and the dramatic moments with perfectly balanced emotion.
Feel free to chime in. If you think a different composer would make a better fit for my book, let me know your thoughts. If you'd like to tell me who would write the score to the story in your mind, let me know that too!
The hardcover of In My Shoes is on sale through the end of October. Check out my website or Amazon.com for details!
Update - Weigh in on the poll question for who you would want composing your masterpiece here!
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