Just finished a feature film project cryptically entitled Sage & Milo at the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage, Sony / Old MGM.  Why the working title Sage & Milo?  Yes, secrecy reigns again at Sony.  Referring to literary allusion,  Sage is a wiseman and Milo is a Greek soldier hero.  Add a cape to each fellow, change the & in the title to vs, and you figure it out!

The pictures below shows the beautiful Katia Popov, violinist extraordinaire and the incredible Hans Zimmer!

Having played and recorded for so many Zimmer movies, I can only say I admire him the most of any Hollywood composer.  A hilarious, witty German with a delightful Anglicized accent (all those BBC productions in London!), he is a true gentile superhero (am I giving anything away here?), at least musically speaking.  As a Participant in the ASCAP Film Composers’ Workshop, I had the pleasure of visiting him in his private studio in Remote Control, Santa Monica (a couple of beachside street blocks of buzzing musical recording activity).  He was a blast.  I will always remember how he goes about bidding for a job; he studies the script or some visuals, and instead of putting sample music to picture, he creates a 20-minute fully fleshed-out montage of all the musical themes and moments he sees for the film.

His music is characterized by originality,  shameless bows to ultra Germanic Romanticism (hello Wagner, Strauss and Bruckner!) and outrageous audacity.  His signature sound is a mixture of gigantic orchestral forces sweetened with numerous overlays acoustic and electronic, magnificent solos and wild eerie, powerful sonic effects.

I remember upon the last day of recording one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, he sent us all home WITH A BOTTLE OF RUM!  good rum …

Oh, one more interesting tidbit … It seems that the computer system is still down at Sony since the North Korean hacker attack!  Note the hand-written pass I received to enter the studio (below):

Powerful film by Steven Spielberg about an American lawyer (Tom Hanks) who is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union.

When we were recording Tommy Newman’s poignant score to the film, our cue sheets (notated musical selections to accompany each specific scene) were entitled SJP;  some in the orchestra (perhaps readers of the book?) surmised the working title must have been Saint James Place.

Think Private Ryan – we’re talking Academy Award Nominations here.  And Tommy’s music was effective, understated yet expressive;  Steven mentioned to the orchestra that he could not have made a better choice for composer than Tommy Newman.  (Note: John Williams, his go to guy, was unavailable being occupied on music in a Galaxy far, far away!)

Yes, the fun(?) has begun as Disney / Pixar is in production on the oceanic sequel to Finding Nemo, FINDING DORY!  I played on the first of several Studio Recording sessions at the venerable Alfred Newman Scoring Stage, 20th Cent. Fox;  music by Alfred’s youngest son Thomas Newman.

Ellen DeGeneres reprises  her role as the “wrong-way”, forgetful yet lovable fish.  However, it seems the story’s message may sound a bit didactic and heavy for a young audience.  In essence, the moral of the story is that “fish are not pets”!  Ellen’s comments below:

“I think that fish should be in the ocean. It’s what this whole sequel is about: It’s about rehabilitation and putting them back in the ocean … And we have to protect our oceans. Hopefully that discussion starts with this film, because we really need to protect that environment.”  chatting to Yahoo Movies at the D23 Exposition.

This political correctness always steps out of bounds, disheartening the audience (in this case, young impressionable children!).  I would say a case could be made that maintaining pets  demonstrates the intimate bond between a person and an animal, teaching to care for and love the animal.  To bring to close appreciation if not sheer awareness of a creature’s existence could only better further the aims of animal rights folks and environmentalists.

Release late 6-2016, not 11-15

My family enjoyed a real once-in-a-lifetime experience on June 26, 2015 – right here in Grass Valley!  The inimitable Randy Newman (think music from almost any Pixar movie ever made!) performed a one-man show under the tall cedars of our beautiful Fairgrounds.

Although many of the selections were unexpectedly “randy”, our son was in awe to meet the man who wrote the score to Cars and Monsters University!  Having worked on most of his movie scores myself, we were invited backstage to see him.  He was hilarious, a little on the shy side and very kind to and interested in Bren.

In my opinion, Randy possesses one of the greatest minds around in regards to musicology, orchestration and history.  His wit is legendary!   I let him know that night how the joy and beauty of his film scores served our Bren as a deeply meaningful interface between a vulnerable, sensitive baby/toddler and a brave new world.

Thanks Randy!  Take a bow …

My recent trip to Sonoma County involved very little imbibing of the local grape; rather on the evening of July 18, 2015, I enjoyed my first time performing at the magnificent Green Center Weill Hall. The audience was treated to the mellifluous, crooning voice of actor Kevin Spacey! Being a true showman, Kevin impressed the crowd with moving renditions of jazz standards and entertained with stories, humorous banter and excellent celebrity impressions.

I can be seen on violin – 1st row, 3rd in …

It was good to work with my old Hollywood friends René Mandel & Mark Robertson:

(ok, OK … I had a little wine!)

In 2014, Richard’s song Bidwell’s Path was designated a Finalist / Instrumental Music Category in the UK Songwriting Contest.  Now in 2015, 3 of his songs are considered Semi-Finalists: Chicxulub: Dinosaur Musings on the Meaning of Life, Warrior’s Hymn &  Losing Love.

Faerie’s Embrace‘  status is still pending in the Open Category. Stay tuned for updates as the contest tightens!

My song Faerie’s Embrace just made #1 on Broadjam’s Top 10 Celtic List!  Also hits #2 song on Top World & #6 on Top California lists…

   It was a pleasure for me to have worked with Chris King, scoring his amazing, historical short film about “The Killing of Mary Surratt”, portions of which are to be aired on the History Channel’s upcoming 4-part documentary on “The Civil War: In Color”. Congratulations Chris and Heather King!

Chris King, Director:
“We’re very happy and proud to be a provider of film footage of the Lincoln assassination conspirators from our short film “The Killing of Mary Surratt” for a special 4-part documentary called “The Civil War: In Color.” The doc will be broadcast on The History Channel and a multitude of other formats.”

TRAILER

Just finished (last week) working on a new cartoon short based on the characters from Frozen.  I was featured as orchestral violinist.  A funny sentimental story, a Birthday Cake and several magical sneezes – what more can you ask for?

2014 was the first year that featured a full symphonic orchestra performing 15-minute musical tributes to all 5 oscar-nominated movie scores, with the composers themselves conducting! (including John Williams & Alexander Desplat)

Also, each of the year’s nominated songs was performed, most often by the original artists.  In the photo below, the husband-and-wife songwriting team of Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez offer their passionate version of their huge hit Let It Go! from the movie, Frozen.  I can be seen behind Kristen to the right:

Best score went deservedly to Steven Price’s soundtrack to Gravity…