[Fmpro] Fees by Minute

[Jim Chase]

Les Wrote:

"and herein lays the problem... who us to say what is good?  the same old stuff
trotted out year after year...or does one take a chance?
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I, for one, am tired of seeing the same ten names on movie credits as
"Music Composed By", film after major film.  The (certainly deserving)
top ten have more money than they could possibly use in five lifetimes.
Same old stuff.

The major movie producers are the ones not willing to "take a chance" on
new talent.  Studios flout their choice of "Music Composed By" like we
are supposed to be in awe of their artistic sensibilities, and good
taste.  Guys!  Break away, and pick another name from the burgeoning
list of composers in this heavily over-saturated field!  Now, THAT would
be good taste!  ...but it ain't gonna happen, not with so much riding on
the success of movie ventures costing in the hundred$ of million$.

In 1972, director Byron Chudnow took a chance on Alan Silvestri, who was
before then a complete unknown in the business.  Rumor has it that
Silvestri crammed heavily for his interview for "The Doberman Gang", and
pretty much B.S.ed his way to his fist major picture by dropping
keywords and phrases gleaned from film music industry textbooks read
only the night before.  That's talent! ;-)   Evidently, the gamble
turned out well for all parties involved.
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"Who is to say what is good?"
That question would be worthy of a whole 'nother discussion, and one
that I would certainly be interested in pursuing!

As the perception of "good" varies widely, be prepared for equally
divergent opinions on what constitutes a "good" minute of score.
I nominate Bernard Herrmann's shower scene.  45 seconds, actually.
...and how about Silvestri's 15 minutes of fame in the 143 minute movie
"Cast Away".  Pure genius, from a lucrative standpoint.

rjchase