Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin
Hans Zimmer - Summer Staff Picks
Tue Jul 18 2023Description
The episode covers various aspects of Hans Zimmer's career as a film composer, including his collaborations with directors like Christopher Nolan, his early life and entry into the film industry, insights into his approach to scoring, and personal reflections on his work. The episode also delves into the emotional impact of music in movies and provides advice for aspiring composers. Throughout the episode, Zimmer's passion for music and dedication to creating compelling scores shine through.
Insights
Hans Zimmer's collaboration with Christopher Nolan
Hans Zimmer's partnership with director Christopher Nolan has resulted in celebrated scores for films like the Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception. Their unique approach to communication, with Nolan describing scenes and emotions over the phone and Zimmer composing music based on those descriptions without seeing any footage, showcases their shared understanding of storytelling through music.
Zimmer's early influences and entry into the film industry
Hans Zimmer's interest in film scoring was sparked by watching 'Once Upon a Time in the West' and being inspired by Enya Morriconi and Sergio Leone. He learned from mentors like Stanley Myers and got introduced to the film industry through Working Title, a music video company. Despite struggling in school, Zimmer discovered his musical talent early in life and used it to make his mother happy.
Insights into Zimmer's approach to scoring
Hans Zimmer believes that music is an autonomous language that either resonates with the audience or it doesn't. He prefers working with directors who give him creative freedom rather than dictating what kind of music they want. Zimmer also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a performance-like atmosphere during scoring sessions and being influenced by actors' performances.
The emotional impact of music in movies
The episode explores the emotional impact of music in movies like The Last Samurai and Hannibal. Zimmer discusses the meaning of a tear on a woman's face in a scene from a movie, highlighting the power of music to enhance and evoke emotions in storytelling.
Advice for aspiring composers
Hans Zimmer advises aspiring composers to be open to new opportunities and say yes. He shares his experience working on The Da Vinci Code and emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in art and literature. Zimmer also encourages composers to attend symphony performances to gain inspiration and appreciation for orchestral music.
Chapters
- The HP Smart Tank printer and Purdue Global
- Insights into Hans Zimmer's film composition
- Hans Zimmer's early life and entry into the film industry
- The guest's experiences in the film industry and collaboration with directors
- Insights into Hans Zimmer's career and collaborations
- The emotional impact of music in movies and advice for aspiring composers
- Hans Zimmer's personal reflections and future plans
The HP Smart Tank printer and Purdue Global
00:00 - 08:01
- The HP Smart Tank printer is reliable with up to two years of ink included and outstanding print quality.
- Purdue Global offers college credit for work, school, life, or military experiences to help you earn a degree.
Insights into Hans Zimmer's film composition
07:37 - 14:27
- Hans Zimmer is an all-time master of film composition, having scored over 150 movies including Gladiator, Hannibal, Sherlock Holmes, and more.
- Hans Zimmer's partnership with director Christopher Nolan has resulted in celebrated scores for films like the Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception.
- Chris Nolan used a unique approach to communicate his vision for the movie Inception to composer Hans Zimmer. Nolan would describe scenes and emotions over the phone, and Zimmer would write music based on those descriptions without seeing any footage.
- Zimmer prefers working with directors who give him creative freedom rather than dictating what kind of music they want.
- Music is an autonomous language for Zimmer, and he believes it either resonates with the audience or it doesn't.
Hans Zimmer's early life and entry into the film industry
14:00 - 22:00
- Hans Zimmer was fired by Stanley Kubrick but later received phone calls from him for help.
- Zimmer learned a lot from Kubrick and was deeply affected by his death.
- Long Long, a classical pianist, talks about his father discouraging him from competitions.
- Zimmer discovered his musical talent early in life and used it to make his mother happy.
- He struggled in school but found success playing music in working men's clubs.
- Working Title, a music video company, introduced Zimmer to the film industry.
The guest's experiences in the film industry and collaboration with directors
21:41 - 34:45
- Daniel kisses an Indian boy in a mind-blowing moment that surprises the audience
- The podcast guest had a mentor named Stanley Myers who taught him how to write music for orchestra while working on films.
- The guest shares an experience of working with Riti Sakamoto and Bernardo Betelucci on the last M. film, where there was a lack of communication and things didn't fit together.
- The guest recalls a funny incident where he had to make up Chinese death bills on the synthesizer because he didn't know what they sounded like.
- Bernardo Betelucci apologizes to the guest for shouting at him and gives him chocolates, teaching him about graciousness.
- The guest talks about his early days in the film business, working above strip clubs and pawn shops in Soho.
- Working Title offers the guest a movie called A World Apart, and they open an account in his daughter's name to ensure he doesn't overspend on making the movie sound good.
- The guest emphasizes that Hollywood is one of the few places that commissions orchestral music regularly, which is vital for orchestras' survival.
- The interviewee comes from a snobby European family with no television and a weekly opera tradition.
- Their interest in film scoring was sparked by watching 'Once Upon a Time in the West' and being inspired by Enya Morriconi and Sergio Leone.
- They did not feel the need to study film itself, but focused on studying mythology, fairy tales, psychology, and reading extensively.
- They were always deeply involved in the filmmaking process, constantly asking questions and learning from editors, DPs, and directors.
- The interviewee does not differentiate between scoring for TV and film; they are drawn to compelling stories regardless of the medium.
- European cinema was less technologically advanced and collaborative compared to Hollywood when the interviewee first arrived.
- They learned from mentors like Stanley Myers and worked closely with directors like John Schlesinger.
- During scoring sessions, they try to maintain a performance-like atmosphere without making changes in front of the orchestra.
- Film composing is similar to acting in that both can be challenging due to demanding directors or critical musicians.
- The interviewee received a compliment from a percussionist indicating that they had maintained their connection with fellow musicians despite working in Hollywood.
- Performances by actors can greatly influence the interviewee's approach to scoring; an example is Jack Nicholson's performance in 'As Good as It Gets'.
Insights into Hans Zimmer's career and collaborations
34:15 - 40:46
- Jim Brooks helped the speaker work out a character by observing body language.
- Jack didn't want to play the piano in a movie.
- The speaker learned from Ridley Scott to avoid sentimentality in movies.
- Hans Zimmer was encouraged by friends to perform live concerts.
- Looking an audience in the eye after doing so much is a duty.
- Playing guitar at the Grammys, with the host keeping an eye on safety.
- Organizing concerts in London and Coachella to change perceptions of orchestras and choirs.
- Removing the conductor to give orchestra autonomy and engage the audience.
- Surrounding oneself with great orchestral and rock musicians.
- Being inspired by a song from the movie 'In Cold Blood' and connecting with Quincy Jones about it.
- Learning to write music for movies like 'A League of Their Own' despite not knowing much about jazz or baseball.
- Penny Marshall's influence on protecting main characters in movies.
The emotional impact of music in movies and advice for aspiring composers
45:27 - 52:00
- Protect the main character's image and stay true to their character.
- Collaboration with Ron Howard on Frost Nixon was challenging but rewarding.
- Difficulties in finding the right songs for the film.
- The emotional impact of music in movies like The Last Samurai and Hannibal.
- Discussion about the meaning of a tear on a woman's face in a scene from a movie.
- Creating a romantic comedy score for Ridley Scott's film.
- Mixed feelings about own movies, but proud of the opening to The Lion King.
- Advice for aspiring composers: be open to new opportunities and say yes.
- Experience working on The Da Vinci Code and immersing oneself in art and literature.
- The joy of attending symphony performances with the New York Philharmonic.
Hans Zimmer's personal reflections and future plans
51:36 - 57:25
- The symphony never disappoints me.
- There's a law that allows performers to perform anything they want.
- Owning my life is important to me.
- Being on set and witnessing the entire shooting process is a metric for me now.
- Asking questions and learning from others informs everything I do.
- I want to look funny, smart, and powerful in the sequel to Boss Baby.
- Hans Zeh is a great composer with amazing movie scores.