This video interview with Mark Isham, one of my favorite composers, is marvelous... I didn't even know this whole subject was available on youtube. Isn't the internet marvelous? Gracias!
I never thought of myself as a "musician" because I don't read music, but perhaps I am a "composer." See this wonderful interview with one of my favorite film composers, Mark Isham
What a gift to be able to hear this wonderful artist discuss moments of his life in this industry. It is interesting to hear almost every film composer say they thought, at least once, "I'll never work in this town again..." Yet they do work in that town, again and again, and against deadlines, directors with a singular vision, technical hurdles, and who knows what else, to produce art that millions of people can enjoy as long as reproductions of that work can be viewed and heard.
Excellent advice through the last part of this video. It takes a bit of wisdom to know that sometimes you just can't plan or know everything before you just do it and see what happens and use what works and build on that. So true that so many of us spend so much time studying something when nothing can replace an instinctual and spontaneous approach at the end of the day. Our head might get us in going but it's the heart that drives it home.
"... By the time that's all assembled, ... and you see as the story evolves, they already have they want these 5 CD's, put those in there somehow, let's see if I was right... and it's fun... there's nothing greater than you have those images you have sweated and slaved over, and they are starting to play back in the timeline you want them to play back in, and you put a timeline of music in then, you see and you feel the magic that happens... even unpredicted, unplanned, unintellectualized, maybe even 90% wrong, but when that 4 bars plays against that shot of the door opening, life, beauty, art is born at that moment... and that relationship and that power... and just take that moment and that make note of it and move forward from there and build on that."
GREAT interview!! ** Thank you for reminding us to "Just do it!".** That's how I played and composed when I was very young. But now at 62 I spend too much time thinking, planning, & preparing, That kind of thinking stifles ideas and can stop you in your tracks. Love your personality and work.
Isham points out that every film has "that one sentence" that defines the film. I've always thought that and often bought the book (about the film) or the screenplay, just to read the whole story to find that one "sentence" again. So I was right! 6 minutes ago · Edited · Like Catherine Todd In the interview: "... The tragedies of the past and the beauty of the future and the peace this person had come to" in A River Runs Through It." 4 minutes ago · Like Catherine Todd How do you "get the mojo, that secret sauce: Isham "tries to get himself out of thinking and into pure creating." I had no idea! 3 minutes ago · Like Catherine Todd He "gets away from the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment needed by the modern music maker, and just sit down with a piano and a piece of paper and a pencil..." That's me all the time, the only time, I have always only had a piano, my fingers, and nothing else. And it works. Well I'll be. Maybe I've done something *real* and *worthwhile* after all! about a minute ago · Edited · Like Catherine Todd How to become a filmmaker? Get that camera and go out there and "just do it." Amen!
Very inspiring interview. His approach to music composing is organic, yet unique. He is true in saying that technology has reached to the point where is changes the process entirely (well, almost..). This certainly gives a new perspective to composing.
Mark’s work as a recording artist inspired me to become a composer so it was a thrill for me to meet him when I was one of the violinists chosen to play on the soundtrack for “The Net.”
yeah, Isham's one of my favorites...it's nice to see his endorsement on the libs I buy...stamp of approval...Morphestra/Generations is really deep...his presets are inspirational...
Wow, thankyou for discussing process! The most important thing in the world! Thankyou Thankyou:) …Those chairs are Aeron's. £400 and up and worth it if you spend 14 hours a day in them.
I am not musically trained even though i have picked up a little and I would love to score a film, I have composed a few score type tracks and some EDM tracks with my DAW and keyboard. When i get a melody or riff in my head i have to get it out or i cant focus the entire day.
Hey, awesome interview. Loved it to the end. I've made three shorts at NYU, two commercials, each about 15 to 30 seconds long. Working on a feature. I have the screenplay panned out, in the process of cutting and polishing it to about 90 min. Mr Isham helped quite a bit. Although I would like to score it myself, am talking to someone with music background. Anyway, I think it's important that one should just go out and do it. Great job....
Silber Studios .. I can go for a list of things that I liked but, here are a few... He has passion, not only in his work, but, also in the digital world from analog. Mr Isham mentioned that he does not start with the title of the movie. Instead he looks at the concept- maybe a central idea, a thread to explain. I really respected his words on being humble, always. There is one more director, Mr Steven Spielberg- he did mention the same words, way back at the actors studio. Another thing he said was his sharing of knowledge, like a good teacher which is really valuable.... today. Mr Isham also mentioned that in today's world, he is not only a creator/producer of the art, but he also is an audience the next minute, which he could not do a few years back....Tragedies of the past, beauty of the future... Thank you .....Paresh.
I can't write or read music, Yet i have pretty big aspirations for cinematic film soundtracks... what is up with that? haha. The Money aspect is one of my biggest enemies right now... no good instruments.
Silber Studios I agree. Some of the best music ever made were by tribal people with the most rudimentary instruments. They were connected to the music inside themselves and not so dependent on that next big fancy thing.
Jean-Luc Thomas If you have a PC, start with anvil studio. It's basic midi, but if you have a vision, sound quality isn't an object. Get that practice, and save up for the next thing, for example FL Studio and a USB midi keyboard. Actually, the Alesis Q49 USB midi keyboard comes with a free copy of Ableton 8, and it's a really good midi keyboard for the price (~$85). Save up for that. But get that practice in free programs like Anvil Studio! Everyone has to start somewhere. I struggle with sheet music too, but I'm pretty proud of the music I make. As long as you know your notes, scales and triads, and how to find them on a piano, not knowing sheet music is trivial. Sheet music is just another way of interpreting and expressing music, but not everyone has to speak the same language.
same; but I have a very good keyboard and guitar, my mum's iPad and a computer; all I have to do is buy a midi cable or two and work out what the fuck I have to do to operate all of the softwares, then get an amp, then transform my acoustic into an electric-acoustic; I also have a harmonica, recorder, plastic vuvuzela and recorder on standby but that's pretty much it... oh wait, also bongos that constantly have spiders in them
This video interview with Mark Isham, one of my favorite composers, is marvelous... I didn't even know this whole subject was available on youtube. Isn't the internet marvelous? Gracias!
I never thought of myself as a "musician" because I don't read music, but perhaps I am a "composer." See this wonderful interview with one of my favorite film composers, Mark Isham
What a gift to be able to hear this wonderful artist discuss moments of his life in this industry. It is interesting to hear almost every film composer say they thought, at least once, "I'll never work in this town again..." Yet they do work in that town, again and again, and against deadlines, directors with a singular vision, technical hurdles, and who knows what else, to produce art that millions of people can enjoy as long as reproductions of that work can be viewed and heard.
Excellent advice through the last part of this video. It takes a bit of wisdom to know that sometimes you just can't plan or know everything before you just do it and see what happens and use what works and build on that. So true that so many of us spend so much time studying something when nothing can replace an instinctual and spontaneous approach at the end of the day. Our head might get us in going but it's the heart that drives it home.
Mark Shaw thanks Mark, right you are!
"... By the time that's all assembled, ... and you see as the story evolves, they already have they want these 5 CD's, put those in there somehow, let's see if I was right... and it's fun... there's nothing greater than you have those images you have sweated and slaved over, and they are starting to play back in the timeline you want them to play back in, and you put a timeline of music in then, you see and you feel the magic that happens... even unpredicted, unplanned, unintellectualized, maybe even 90% wrong, but when that 4 bars plays against that shot of the door opening, life, beauty, art is born at that moment... and that relationship and that power... and just take that moment and that make note of it and move forward from there and build on that."
"... life, beauty, art is born at that moment... " Gracias = Grace.
His answer to the first question is EXACTLY what I would shave said about my music!
I am glad you enjoyed the interview. It was really great to get Mark's insight in composing soundtracks.
GREAT interview!!
** Thank you for reminding us to "Just do it!".** That's how I played and composed when I was very young. But now at 62 I spend too much time thinking, planning, & preparing, That kind of thinking stifles ideas and can stop you in your tracks.
Love your personality and work.
Isham points out that every film has "that one sentence" that defines the film. I've always thought that and often bought the book (about the film) or the screenplay, just to read the whole story to find that one "sentence" again. So I was right!
6 minutes ago · Edited · Like
Catherine Todd In the interview: "... The tragedies of the past and the beauty of the future and the peace this person had come to" in A River Runs Through It."
4 minutes ago · Like
Catherine Todd How do you "get the mojo, that secret sauce: Isham "tries to get himself out of thinking and into pure creating." I had no idea!
3 minutes ago · Like
Catherine Todd He "gets away from the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment needed by the modern music maker, and just sit down with a piano and a piece of paper and a pencil..." That's me all the time, the only time, I have always only had a piano, my fingers, and nothing else. And it works. Well I'll be. Maybe I've done something *real* and *worthwhile* after all!
about a minute ago · Edited · Like
Catherine Todd How to become a filmmaker? Get that camera and go out there and "just do it." Amen!
What he did with "About Today" ; amazing.
My hero
Awesome! Mark is one of my most favorite film composers!
Very inspiring interview. His approach to music composing is organic, yet unique. He is true in saying that technology has reached to the point where is changes the process entirely (well, almost..).
This certainly gives a new perspective to composing.
Mark’s work as a recording artist inspired me to become a composer so it was a thrill for me to meet him when I was one of the violinists chosen to play on the soundtrack for “The Net.”
Gary Kuo Fantastic Gary, I'll pass that along to him. Stay tuned, we have a new episode coming up with him next week,
Silber Studios Wow, thanks! I’m looking forward to the new episode!
Gary Kuo you'll see it this Thursday at Noon pacific!
Silber Studios Great!
wonderful to come across this video
I would love to have heard him talk about The Times of Harvey Milk, he did the haunting soundtrack to that amazing Oscar winning film in 1984.
Inspiring for our film work
🙌
Emotion drives and is driven by all arts
Thanks for such a wonderful vdeo
Very accurate, honest and useful!!! Thank you!!!
yeah, Isham's one of my favorites...it's nice to see his endorsement on the libs I buy...stamp of approval...Morphestra/Generations is really deep...his presets are inspirational...
Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope it inspired you to go out and shoot. Don't forget to share your photos with us. Use #AYPFanPhoto on Twitter
Very enjoyable and inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing:)
Wow, thankyou for discussing process! The most important thing in the world!
Thankyou Thankyou:)
…Those chairs are Aeron's. £400 and up and worth it if you spend 14 hours a day in them.
Loved his score for October Sky
Very insightful and articulate discussion. Inspiring! Thanks --
mark i. art musico cool
Very concise, interesting account of a procedure which very few compsosers seem to be able to explain...much appreciated.
Thank you for the comment! Mark Isham is great at what he does!
Thank you for these insights. Mark is the real deal!
Bill Gladden Thanks Bill, yes her is, you'll see more this week from that interview so stay tuned.
I love watching stuff like this. Very fascinating!
Blade Soundtrack = Soundtrack of my fantasy Life.
Great stuff! Tons of insight from a great composer
I am not musically trained even though i have picked up a little and I would love to score a film, I have composed a few score type tracks and some EDM tracks with my DAW and keyboard. When i get a melody or riff in my head i have to get it out or i cant focus the entire day.
Thanks for this video. It helped me a lot.
Very nice man and a fantastic composer!
Inspiring video...
Hey, awesome interview. Loved it to the end. I've made three shorts at NYU, two commercials, each about 15 to 30 seconds long. Working on a feature. I have the screenplay panned out, in the process of cutting and polishing it to about 90 min. Mr Isham helped quite a bit. Although I would like to score it myself, am talking to someone with music background. Anyway, I think it's important that one should just go out and do it. Great job....
Paresh Vaidya Thanks for your feedback Paresh--and glad this help. What points in particular stood out for you?
Silber Studios .. I can go for a list of things that I liked but, here are a few...
He has passion, not only in his work, but, also in the digital world from analog.
Mr Isham mentioned that he does not start with the title of the movie. Instead he looks at the concept- maybe a central idea, a thread to explain.
I really respected his words on being humble, always. There is one more director, Mr Steven Spielberg- he did mention the same words, way back at the actors studio.
Another thing he said was his sharing of knowledge, like a good teacher which is really valuable.... today.
Mr Isham also mentioned that in today's world, he is not only a creator/producer of the art, but he also is an audience the next minute, which he could not do a few years back....Tragedies of the past, beauty of the future... Thank you .....Paresh.
Paresh Vaidya thanks for highlighting those points and god luck with your own music.
@Paresh- It's right, music can't come out of our mind, it's coming from a deeper side of us.
Undoubtedly. The go to chair for all established musicians ;-)
Shaking hands is important, too.
SPOILER ALERT for A River Runs Through It.
Interesting interview! I love your work!
Those look like Herman Miller Aeron chairs.
What kind of Midi controller is that?
it was helpful ,,
That's what we love to hear! Thanks for the comment.
I can't write or read music, Yet i have pretty big aspirations for cinematic film soundtracks... what is up with that? haha.
The Money aspect is one of my biggest enemies right now... no good instruments.
Jean-Luc Thomas Hey Jean-Luc it's a good thing your vision and dreams are free, and it turns out are the most important!
Silber Studios I agree. Some of the best music ever made were by tribal people with the most rudimentary instruments. They were connected to the music inside themselves and not so dependent on that next big fancy thing.
Jean-Luc Thomas If you have a PC, start with anvil studio. It's basic midi, but if you have a vision, sound quality isn't an object. Get that practice, and save up for the next thing, for example FL Studio and a USB midi keyboard. Actually, the Alesis Q49 USB midi keyboard comes with a free copy of Ableton 8, and it's a really good midi keyboard for the price (~$85). Save up for that. But get that practice in free programs like Anvil Studio! Everyone has to start somewhere.
I struggle with sheet music too, but I'm pretty proud of the music I make. As long as you know your notes, scales and triads, and how to find them on a piano, not knowing sheet music is trivial. Sheet music is just another way of interpreting and expressing music, but not everyone has to speak the same language.
same; but I have a very good keyboard and guitar, my mum's iPad and a computer; all I have to do is buy a midi cable or two and work out what the fuck I have to do to operate all of the softwares, then get an amp, then transform my acoustic into an electric-acoustic; I also have a harmonica, recorder, plastic vuvuzela and recorder on standby but that's pretty much it... oh wait, also bongos that constantly have spiders in them
Whoever did the engineering for the audio track is very oblivious to the low humming of the microphone/processed noise.
I don't even know..
hehe, I fear ultimate mega success so, I haven't bought one of those chairs yet. ;-)
boring...