Composers

            There is a very important part of movies that I wish I possessed the ability to really be a part of, and that is the composition and scoring of the music.  It can take a scene from seeming a little sad to bringing an audience to tears.  Or it could turn a smile into full on belly laughing if done right.  It is there and so fitting because it is able to transform a mild feeling into a strong emotion.  There are people out there composing for films, TV shows, and advertisements everyday who are able to turn it into a paycheck and I commend them all and I’m honestly a little jealous.  But I am going to focus on just a few of the bigger names that you may recognize, or if not, you should look into. 

            I am going to guess you have heard of John Williams whether you are a movie buff or just a music fan.  Even if not, there are references to him in TV shows that I  have heard.  Family Guy more specifically.  Anyways, he is most noted for his work on Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and so many more.  If it was a blockbuster, there is a good chance John Williams had something to do with it. 

            Next on the list is Danny Elfman.  If you’ve ever seen a Tim Burton film, you’ve heard Elfman’s music.  He conveys the creepy, fun feelings that you get from a lot of Burton’s films.  A short list includes: The older Batman movies, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and one from Peter Jackson: The Frighteners.

            Last on my list is probably my personal favorite, John Murphy.  I actually had to go and turn on a song called Adagio in D minor while I’m typing this, because I love the song so much.  That song appears in a sci-fi movie called Sunshine.  He has also done movies such as 28 Days Later and Kickass.  The sound he achieves is one of raw emotion that leaves you feeling a little heavy as if something huge is either about to happen or just did and you are still recovering.  Anyways, that’s just my take on him. 

            I hope you check out a couple of these guys, or even some others.  If movie music was never your thing, I recommend getting into it. There is a lot of great music you’re missing out on.