January 23
2005
Carter Burwell is no longer working on Serenity.
More details
here. (Added) Joss adds his thoughts about this in the thread.
KernelM
| Firefly&Serenity
| 07:29 CET
|
67 comments total
| tags: joss post
You need to
log in to be able to post comments.
About
membership.
« Older
If Buffy got its Season 8, what co...
|
Jewel sends belated holiday greeti...
Newer »
© 2002 - 2008 - WHEDONesque.com
(
e-mail)
Individual posts are copyright their respective authors
This is a non-profit, unofficial website, not affiliated with Mutant Enemy, Inc., 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers or UPN.
herb | January 23, 08:00 CET
ithilien | January 23, 08:09 CET
zixyer | January 23, 08:11 CET
[ edited by leaveittoreaver on 2005-01-23 06:13 ]
leaveittoreaver | January 23, 08:13 CET
rsfayez | January 23, 08:33 CET
lady_fantastic | January 23, 08:35 CET
leaveittoreaver | January 23, 08:39 CET
charisma | January 23, 10:33 CET
One interesting question is, could Howard Shore pull off Serenity? As much as I love his LotR scores, I would lobby for G.E.
RBB | January 23, 10:39 CET
Madhatter | January 23, 10:53 CET
One of my favorite soundtracks this side of Morricone is John Ottman's work for The Usual Suspects. That really conveyed what was going on, including the myhtolgocical atmoshphere that was lurking underneath. But a lot of it was also still very beautiful music to just listen to. Many soundtracks these days can become ugly and so overbearing that they actually shake me out of the story while I'm watching the film
(Like Van Helsing for example. What a cacaphony of noise that was...)
Anyway, Burwell admits his style of working didn't quite fit the needs for the project so...how it goes. I hope whoever they wind up getting, that it will be a soundtrack I'd want to buy.
EdDantes | January 23, 11:03 CET
Oddjob | January 23, 11:13 CET
RBB | January 23, 11:29 CET
The score is fundemental to the movie experience, and can even make a mediocre movie fantastic viewing.
There must have been very good reason for the job loss.
Not saying anything against this guy, it just mustn't have been what J wanted.
And as far as I'm concerned, whatever Joss wants, Joss can have!
nixygirl | January 23, 12:48 CET
Simon | January 23, 13:05 CET
Definitely want Greg Edmonson to fill the spot.
Kris | January 23, 13:42 CET
Simon | January 23, 13:51 CET
'I really screwed up this time' - Jeffrey Dahmer to his father, before his trial
Zoic_Fan | January 23, 14:39 CET
Simon, put me down for October 21, 2005 for the 'Serenity' soundtrack release.
Madhatter | January 23, 14:57 CET
MySerenity | January 23, 18:25 CET
Actually I don't see the fuss over a score. All they need is to find an acoustic guitarist, right? I know some talented people here in Texas who could just sit in a sound studio with a rough copy of the movie played in front of them, they'd strum on the guitar whatever the show made them feel, and Whedon could edit and move things around at his leisure. Would probably take inside of a week. Somebody tell Joss Whedon to call up Kristy Kruger or Annie Benjamin. He wouldn't be disappointed in their efforts, I'd guarantee that.
I was watching Firefly again just a day or two ago. Isn't that all they used? I don't recall hearing much more than the occasional folksy twang whenever they cut to an outside view of the ship, but then I wasn't focusing on the music.
...Cool. Now I have another reason to watch Firefly again. =)
ZachsMind | January 23, 21:04 CET
One of my all time favourite movies, The Third Man, was more or less scored like this. The zither was played by Anton Karas, who didn't speak any English, with Carol Reed gesturing 'Faster', 'Slower', 'Louder' etc.
Worked out okay.
zz9 | January 23, 22:03 CET
dreamlogic | January 23, 22:13 CET
On the plus side, I would love to see Edmonson enlisted for the project, because the Firefly score is gorgeous.
Ilana | January 23, 22:22 CET
First off, when this movie got off the ground, the studio made it clear that I would need to use someone with a good deal of movie experience to score it, which was perfectly valid, though it ruled out a lot of guys, including Greg, that I loved working with. So entering the world of big-or-medium-time movie composers, the first person I thought of was Carter Burwell. I'd known his work since Blood Simple, have always been (and always will be) a slavish fan. We're talking about a guy who's penned some of the most indelible tunes in movies: Raising Arizona, Miller's Crossing, Rob Roy, Gods and Monsters, even It Could Happen To You had an achingly beautiful score. I had met him years ago and he's a gent. I was surprised and thrilled to have him on the film.
You know how it is when you have two friends you love very much and you set 'em up on a date? Hiring a composer is kind of like that. However much you might love your friends and think they'll be a perfect match, the odds of their actually getting together are slim. Also, sometimes you forget to tell one of your friends something important about the other, like she's very political, or narcoleptic, or doesn't have a face... The movie as I first described it and the movie as it turned out were kind of different, the needs of the score different as well. Carter did some great work, really interesting, but in the end my two friends didn't end up dating. It happens, as I've learned, a lot. The fact is, Carter and I both felt the tension, an imperfect sympatico on the project, and this hardly came out of the blue. We might have soldiered on but he has other obligations looming and we kind of had to start from scratch, so it just became untenable, schedule-wise. I will always be a huge fan of Carter's and may one day make the kind of film that's right for him. Meanwhile, we move on. I will have a new composer soon and the work will continue. The movie will be what it needs to be.
But most importantly, who DOESN'T want to see a Coen brothers Space Opera? Dreamlogic, are you nuts? I'm salivating over that!
This wasn't a fun week for anyone, but we learn as we go. I'll check in with you guys anon. -j.
joss | January 23, 23:32 CET
SoddingNancyTribe | January 23, 23:36 CET
Apocalypse | January 23, 23:45 CET
lady_fantastic | January 23, 23:46 CET
Simon | January 23, 23:49 CET
Thanks for the post, Joss. It's sad news, but I can understand where it's coming from. Have you thought about bringing back Christophe Beck? He's obviously done a few film scores in the last few years. And I'm sure he'd love to hear his music used in a film that's a bit more successful than Elektra.
[ edited by The Dark Shape on 2005-01-23 22:09 ]
The Dark Shape | January 24, 00:08 CET
Just PLEASE don't have a soundtrack where the brass section sounds like a bunch of giant mosquitoes on crack that scream in my ear every time something of action happens! I already mentioned Van Helsing, but many movies these days do it. Even parts of veteran John Williams' score on Phantom drove me insane during the movie.
OH and could there be at least one major theme melodie? Like this epic, slightly sad but also grand and uplifting theme that recurs here and there? I miss that in scores lately.
"But most importantly, who DOESN'T want to see a Coen brothers Space Opera? Dreamlogic, are you nuts? I'm salivating over that!"
Part of me salivates over that too because there's some Coen brothers movies that I adore. Then again there's also some that leave me scratching my head in bewilderment, so....depends, hehe.
EdDantes | January 24, 00:13 CET
John Williams? Too clean-cut and ordinary. Serenity needs more of an artistic edge...
Ilana | January 24, 01:01 CET
The Dark Shape | January 24, 01:05 CET
Firefly Flanatic | January 24, 01:57 CET
Caroline | January 24, 02:03 CET
Some of those Roseanne scripts? Tepid! "Once More With Feeling" will never compare to his father's work penning the zany antics of Blanche, Rose, and the gang on Golden Girls.
There. Maybe that helped.
[ edited by Chirp on 2005-01-24 00:25 ]
Chirp | January 24, 02:25 CET
I feel dirty.
The Dark Shape | January 24, 03:45 CET
Willowy | January 24, 03:56 CET
The Dark Shape | January 24, 04:14 CET
Ilana | January 24, 04:35 CET
rkayn | January 24, 04:46 CET
Hasufel | January 24, 05:24 CET
palehorse | January 24, 05:53 CET
Willowy | January 24, 06:15 CET
SoddingNancyTribe | January 24, 06:45 CET
Chirp said: "He's got a website that does nothing but lioniz him. We should spend some time to take him down a few pegs."
Believe me. I try to knock Whedon down a peg or two when I can. It's just very difficult for me to find fault in his work. Trust me, I don't try to kiss Whedon's ass, but it's just so darn juicy. ...Metaphorically speaking, I mean.
Is 'lioniz' a word?
Seriously, Joss. Benjamin and Kruger. Can't go wrong with women playing guitars. *Makes cat calls* I mean come on! Bernard Herrmann did the Psycho soundtrack with nothing but strings, and that turned out okay. Just please. No brass section. It gives me gas. Oh! And more cowbell!
[ edited by ZachsMind on 2005-01-24 05:08 ]
ZachsMind | January 24, 07:01 CET
Greg Edmonson obviously knows the subject matter better than any other composer. If he could team up with someone that has some solid experience in movie scores, it could work out very well.
Mycroft | January 24, 07:15 CET
I have finally seen the Firefly DVD's (Christmas gift...yay!). Wow!!
I, like many, greatly anticipated the pilot of Firefly on Fox and like many, was disappointed. Why??? Well, because the episodes were aired out of sequence, of course! I just didn't get who was who or worse, I didn't care.
Now that I've seen them in sequence I just cannot understand, no matter how moronic a decision-making executive might be, how in the world they could air the series showing 'Train Job' first??!! And, why?
OK...it's all been said before. But, man! Just ridiculous.
I'm so happy. Firefly is wonderful. I can't wait for Serenity.
Thank you, Joss!
(I know...I have an astute grasp of the obvious. Done now.)
creepy6 | January 24, 08:02 CET
Ilana | January 24, 08:38 CET
I still want Greg E.
RBB | January 24, 10:24 CET
ZachsMind said:
I don't recall hearing much more than the occasional folksy twang whenever they cut to an outside view of the ship, but then I wasn't focusing on the music.
Definitely a good excuse for a re-watch like you said. There were a lot of pretty standard twangy pieces used for transitional scenes, but the really emotional stuff had some beautiful background music. I especially liked material in "Safe", "Out of Gas", "Ariel", that funeral scene in "The Message", and certainly "Objects in Space". Plus that quiet little bit with River and Simon hiding outside the ship in "Bushwacked", both of them staring out into the abyss with vastly different reactions, loved that scene. People say the main setting (Serenity) was also one of the main characters, I sometimes felt that way about the music when it was really affecting.
Right on Ilana. I wonder if there's an e-mail or mailing address we can contact Edmonson at to encourage...nah, that's a bit intrusive, really not our place I suppose. If Joss and/or Universal makes the offer (or if they already have), great. If not, then I'm sure whoever they pick will do well.
[ edited by Kris on 2005-01-24 08:28 ]
Kris | January 24, 10:27 CET
Your unceasing support has meant everything to me. I am constantly amazed that you still remember and love a show that met such an untimely demise (at least temporarily).
I am taking a risk (of sorts) by responding to this subject at all so I need to be very clear. There are no negatives here. My experience working on "Firefly" was nothing but wonderful. A lot of hard work but wonderful and supportive people (who really cared)
Would I love to do this project--of course. I believe that you all knowthat I truly loved this show and it was and is one of the great joys of my professional career.
Joss gave me an opportunity (on the TV version) and I believe that I did not let him down. Should such an opportunity come again (and I would need a champion on this one) I would not fail to give it everything that my heart has to give--Thanks again for your wonderful support
Greg Edmonson
Simon | January 24, 11:21 CET
Joss mentions that the movie altered somewhat from its idea stage to the finished product, so perhaps it was a case of CB being the perfect fit going in and not so perfect as time and changes went on? I'm looking forward to this other project CB mentions he's working on. I wonder if it's Spamalot, which would be just too amazing. At any rate, I think whoever is meant to do the music is out there, and all will be well. Things happen, you bend with it, and things go on.
I think GE would be my choice also, as his pieces struck just the right balance of sinewy, bootstrap-leather twang and sweet, Appalachian-tinged melancholy. But I'm sure the person who's right for the job, if it isn't and can't be him, will be drawn to fill the void. (But it sounds like Greg is definitely up for it!)
Wiseblood | January 24, 11:49 CET
Personally, I'd think an improvised Neil Young score would be awesome. Dead Man in space... aheheheheh.
P.S. Joss you suck. :)
[ edited by biki on 2005-01-24 11:06 ]
biki | January 24, 13:05 CET
Simon, thanks for the link to the response from Greg Edmonson.
Madhatter | January 24, 15:58 CET
I think it's incredibly interesting in terms of social and professional behavior that all these people (JW, Carter Burwell, Greg Edmonson) are comfortable communicating through the internet and find it appropriate to do so. Just another peculiarity of 21st c. society, I guess.
Oh, and a Coen Brothers space opera - I'll be there (as long as I don't have to choose between that and a JW film). Actually, I think many of the Buffyverse actors would fit wonderfully into a Coen Brothers movie - Emma Caulfield and Nick Brendon for instance.
WWBD | January 24, 17:28 CET
Wow! Do you know Maurice Seezer??
I love Billy Boola...one of my all time fav songs!
And yea...that would definately be an interesting score!
Be nice to get Gavin Friday on board too.
Plus, Joss your such a champ writing to us to clear this up so we all weren't just left wondering..."what the???"
nixygirl | January 24, 18:03 CET
Could try Mark Knopler, he did a lovely score for Local Hero and Princess Bride!
OK don't all throw stones at me at once, my 14 year old daughter suggested Rob Zombie!
Throw the rocks in her direction...quick before she runs away!
nixygirl | January 24, 18:06 CET
If you don’t hear from me again, a big thunderbolt has come down through the ceiling and struck me down.
More soberly, very stressful to disagree creatively and shame because this collaboration sounded great in theory, but nobody’s ability is under question here. The most important thing is for all parties to stay professional during and afterwards, which everybody is doing. “Onwards and upwards” as my old boss would have said (trite maybe, but I found it usually helped).
miranda | January 24, 18:11 CET
Caroline | January 24, 19:23 CET
HudsonVC | January 24, 23:28 CET
That would ROCK.
Or Greg Edmonson. Because we LOVE him. I cried my EYES out at the music for The Message.
pixxelpuss | January 25, 00:33 CET
The Dark Shape | January 25, 00:49 CET
As a sidenote, do you think that there's a chance that the Universal can appear as "'versal" in the finished film? That would make me so happy (if I for some mysterious reason aren't happy already because I'm pretty sure I the premiere of the movie itself will make me pretty happy already... to say the least).
Djungelurban | January 25, 01:40 CET
HA!!!
I had NO idea you were a huge Gavin Friday fan!
Brilliant!!!!!
I'm off to check out your other sites!
How very kool!
And might I add, will be trying to get a hold of your books...
I myself am a rabid U2 fan
[ edited by nixygirl on 2005-01-25 07:50 ]
nixygirl | January 25, 09:48 CET
RBB | January 25, 10:51 CET
I've read vague reports that the new movie downplays the western edge so prevalent in the series. I don't know how serious to take the reports. It's been very difficult for a spoiler whore such as myself to find good rumors. So maybe Whedon's going for a broader sound that incorporates a full orchestra, but part of what makes the series so heartwarming is the incongruity of a science fiction story musically kissed with the soul of a western desert sky rounded out by a shot of whiskey.
All I want personally is a guitar, some violins and a flute. Keep it simple. Granted, my opinion and a few bucks'll git you a coffee at Starbucks' but I feel duty bound to reiterate my plea.
Annie Benjamin plays a flute. She knows some fiddlers. Really, Joss needs to give Benjamin and Kristy Kruger a couple emails. Give them a listen online. Give them a chance. We're not talking country or bluegrass, but a variety of sounds from those genres to folk to rock. Musics of the past influencing a vision of the future. Just like the film itself.
Benjamin's voice would be ideal doing the theme song... Okay so you'd have to change the key signature a bit cuz she's female. I recommend listening to Mud Flap Girl and West Texas Wind. Those two tracks show her range. Kristy's songs Monsoon and Comin Round The Mountain are breathtaking. She's got a band now and has been touring the clubs. Both of these women, and perhaps countless more out there, have what it takes to help make Serenity something that no silver screen has ever seen, heard, nor felt before.
I know the Universal suits might want someone with specific movie score experience, but what this film needs is the sound of the old west coupled with a modern and feminine sensibility that can look to humanity's destiny. If you want to capture the spirit of the good ship Serenity, you need a lady's touch.
Please listen to me Joss: you. can't. go. wrong. with women playing guitars.
[ edited by ZachsMind on 2005-01-25 13:15 ]
ZachsMind | January 25, 15:11 CET