Podcast Summary
Survival tips and dad jokes: The 'Smartless' podcast opens with a humorous segment where hosts share jokes and banter, discussing survival tips and dad jokes, before interviewing a renowned figure like John Williams.
The podcast "Smartless" starts with a light-hearted and humorous "cold open" segment, where the hosts share jokes and banter. During this segment, they discussed various topics, including survival tips and dad jokes. Later in the podcast, they interview a living legend, John Williams, who is a renowned jazz musician, film composer, and a record-breaking Academy Award nominee. The hosts expressed their admiration for Williams and shared stories about his impressive career. Overall, the podcast combines humor and insightful interviews, creating an engaging listening experience.
Film industry evolution: The film industry has evolved from a business-oriented approach by pioneers to facing new challenges like easy access to films at home, while technology continues to impact filmmaking and composition process
The early film industry pioneers, despite their naivety and business-oriented approach, played a significant role in creating the film industry that has thrived for over a century. However, the industry is now facing new challenges, such as easy access to films at home, which threatens the communal experience and spiritual connection once associated with going to the movies. John Williams, a renowned film composer, also discussed how technology has affected filmmaking, allowing for easier creation of complex special effects and reducing the need for live performances. Williams shared that he doesn't read scripts before composing and is first exposed to the film during the rough cut in the edit, where he crafts the melody for the film. This process allows him to respond to the visuals and emotions of the film, resulting in a unique and inspired composition.
Film scoring collaboration: Effective film scoring collaboration involves forming initial impressions before fully edited films and educating directors on music intricacies to create sophisticated approaches.
Forming first impressions before seeing a fully edited film can be more effective in guiding the work of a composer. However, collaboration with directors is essential, and their understanding and appreciation of music can vary greatly. Composers may need to educate them on the intricacies of music, and this can lead to a more sophisticated approach. A famous example of this is when John Williams pitched the iconic "Jaws" theme to Steven Spielberg, who initially had doubts but eventually came to appreciate its potential. This collaborative process is crucial in creating effective and impactful film scores.
Music in Film: Music significantly enhances storytelling in film and creates a more immersive experience for the audience. Directors like Spielberg and Ritt have different approaches to incorporating music, but it's an essential element in cinema.
The use of music in filmmaking is a subjective and nuanced art. Directors like Martin Ritt and Steven Spielberg have vastly different approaches to incorporating music into their films. Ritt, a theater backgrounder, believed in keeping the focus on the dialogue and performances, while Spielberg embraces music as a character in itself. However, there's no such thing as a silent film, as music has always been an integral part of the cinematic experience. From classical orchestras to contemporary electronic music, it enhances the storytelling and creates a more immersive experience for the audience. During the production of Schindler's List, Spielberg made a departure from his usual grand orchestral scores to a more intimate chamber music approach. This shift was a conscious or unconscious decision, but it added depth and intensity to the film. Live performances of film scores, such as those at the Hollywood Bowl, provide a unique experience, allowing the audience to appreciate the virtuosity of the music without the distraction of the film. Spielberg's film ET is a prime example of the importance of music in storytelling. The last 15 minutes of the film, filled with action and emotion, require precise synchronization between the music and the visuals. This process can be challenging, but the end result is a powerful and memorable cinematic experience.
Music's influence on film narrative: During the scoring of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, composer John Williams turned off the film and let the music dictate the pace, resulting in a more satisfying and operatic ending.
The power of music in film lies in its ability to breathe and evolve alongside the visuals. During the scoring of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, composer John Williams faced syncing issues with the orchestra and the film. Instead of adhering strictly to the on-screen timing, they turned off the film and let the music dictate the pace. This approach resulted in a more satisfying and operatic ending, demonstrating the music's influence over the film's narrative. Williams shared that he had felt intimidated by the spiritual and serious tone of Close Encounters compared to the fun and fanfare of Star Wars, which he had also worked on that year. The orchestra's performance in Close Encounters had a religious quality, and the five musical notes used for communication between humans and aliens presented a unique challenge. However, Williams' innovative approach to the score resulted in a groundbreaking and iconic musical moment in film history. Music's ability to communicate emotions and ideas beyond language is a testament to its enduring power in storytelling. The collaboration between composer and filmmaker is a crucial element in creating memorable and impactful cinematic experiences.
Music and Emotions: Music can evoke deep emotions and has the power to bring us joy, comfort, and understanding, possibly even predating our ability to understand language.
Our connection to music can be deeply emotional and even predate our ability to understand language. John shared a personal story about his experience coming out as gay and the profound impact music had on him at a young age. He explained that music may be older than language and that our understanding of it can be musical or spiritual rather than linguistic. The use of music in films and other media can evoke strong emotions and can be a powerful tool for storytelling. John also touched on the concept of the five-note signal, which is a musical term used to describe the tonic note and the role of the fifth degree in music, comparing it to the conjunctive "and" or "but" in language. Overall, the discussion highlighted the importance of the emotional connection we have to music and its ability to bring us joy, comfort, and understanding.
Bernstein's incomplete musical narratives: Bernstein's intentional incompleteness in his film scores invites audience engagement and creates a sense of unity and connection through shared musical experiences
Leonard Bernstein's music, particularly his film scores, holds a unique power in its incompleteness. Bernstein intentionally left responses unsaid, inviting the audience to engage and complete the musical narrative. This approach can be seen as a musical version of a hand reaching out, creating a sense of unity and connection. Bernstein's introduction to film composing came through his experiences playing piano in Hollywood orchestras and was a gradual step up from television to feature films. He was not a multi-instrumentalist as commonly believed, but he believed in the unifying power of music, which transcends language and time, offering a shared human experience. While Bernstein may not have regretted specific compositions, the power of his music lies in its ability to evoke emotion and engage listeners in a shared musical journey.
Military Influence on Williams' Compositions: Williams' military background significantly influenced his compositions, particularly those with militaristic themes, and his experiences orchestrating for military bands during his service left a lasting impression on him.
John Williams, a renowned composer, often reflects on his past work and wishes he could make adjustments. His military background significantly influenced his compositions, particularly those with militaristic themes. Williams had the opportunity to orchestrate for military bands during his service, and he was impressed by their quality. He shares a golfing routine with the hosts, playing alone at the golf course as a meditative and relaxing experience. The conversation revealed Williams' deep connection to his past work and the impact it has had on others, including inspiring a love for classical music in some. Despite his impressive career, he continues to work and find joy in his craft.
John Williams' career: John Williams' influence extends beyond iconic movie scores through his versatility in music and family connections to Toto and Steven Spielberg.
John Williams, a legendary figure in the film industry, has had an impressive and multifaceted career. During a podcast interview, the hosts shared anecdotes about Williams' contributions to movies like Jaws and 1941, as well as his family connections to Toto and Steven Spielberg. Despite having numerous questions, the hosts chose to focus on Williams' impact and his status as a "legend." The interview showcased his versatility, from his clarinet playing in movies to his son's role in Toto. This demonstrates that Williams' influence extends beyond just scoring iconic movie moments. If you're interested in learning more about legends in the entertainment industry and true crime stories with a comedic twist, check out the podcast Morbid.
