CMT Interview: Andrew Hollander About Composing the World of A Serial Killer, Amongst Other Things.

By Niy Birden

composer Andrew Hollander


It is a widespread idea that the mind of a composer is often a rambunctious and claustrophobic one, with numerous do-overs and second thoughts. It is especially difficult when making something for a designated medium or even, for another person. Strangely enough, this understanding can also be applied to psychopathic killers. But according to Andrew Hollander, things really aren’t that complicated. With having enough context and musical ambition, plus a little luck-finding the perfect balance between the “colors” of a score and a hinting script was enough to craft the subtle sounds for My Friend Dahmer, a daring and even funny coming-of-age autobiography about one of America’s most interesting serial killers.

Q: Okay, so for starters, this may seem a little bit weird to ask, but I know that music is becoming more digital now- there’s so many apps and different DAWs- so I have to ask, do you play any instruments?

A: I do, no-clearly that’s not a crazy question, I do, I play a bunch of instruments. I mainly play piano and any sort of keyboard instruments, but I play a bit of guitar, bit of drums, you know.

Q: I notice there aren’t really any leads to your origins. What got you specifically into composing, and how did you get started in the niche? Also, which came first, songwriting or film composing?

A: They came at more or less the same time, funny enough-when I started playing music,I was like, I think 12 or 13 and I was in a bunch of rock bands…

FilmRise

I started writing, some song stuff, some instrumental stuff, but I felt like-I always loved movies, so film scoring always kind of intrigued me, and then after college I moved to NY. And I got hired for this really low-budget indie film to score it, but they also needed some songs, so I also ended up doing both on that film. And it kind of just set me on that path, I was always doing things pretty much in parallel, sometimes I would do-and still do- a score and songs, for a film, but I was always working with different artists and bands on records and scoring films. Like certain years I might be busy with one more than the other, but I always liked just working in both worlds. One was never…neither of them was ever peripheral, both were really important to me and really inspiring to me. And so, they seem to be very parallel paths to me.
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Fincher Digs Deep In “Mindhunter” Trailer

By Armando

Netflix


The latest trailer for director David Fincher’s Mindhunter has been released, ahead of its debut on Netflix on October 13, 2017. Produced by Fincher and actress Charlize Theron, the drama series is based on Mark Olshaker and John E. Douglas’s book “Mind Hunter: Inside The FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit“.

In the new series, Jonathan Groff plays Holden Ford, an FBI special agent for the agency’s Behavioral Science Unit who interviews imprisoned serial killers in an effort to understand what goes on in a killer’s mind and how they operate.

He is joined by Holt McCallany who plays Bill Tench, and together they pioneer criminal psychology and profiling in its early days of development, and use their research findings to solving ongoing murder investigations.

Set to Talking Heads’ “Psychokiller,” the trailer shows the duo meet Edmund Kemper, also known as the “Coed Killer,” all the while arguing and worrying if their superiors will discover their activities. “Certainly our goal is to be preemptive,” Holden says to Bill. “We’re the FBI, Holden. That is not our goal. Yet,” says Bill.

The book’s author Douglas, himself a notable name in the history of criminal profiling, is the basis of the character Ford, which guarantees some interesting insider stories. He was also previously an inspiration for the Jack Crawford character which appeared in Thomas Harris’ novels such as The Silence of the Lambs. The character was played in the movie of the same name by Scott Glenn.

Netflix seem to have a lot of confidence in what Fincher and co. has crafted that they already renewed it for Season 2. Not surprising since Fincher himself directed Mindhunter’s pilot episode, as he did successfully with Netflix’ House of Cards. It also certainly helps that chronicling characters pursuing killers is familiar turf to Fincher (“Se7en” and “Zodiac” come to mind.)

See Mindhunter’s trailer and official synopsis below:

In the late 1970s two FBI agents expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to all-too-real monsters.

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New “Justice League” Trailer Released

By Creative Media Times

Warner Bros. Pictures


DC heroes unite in latest trailer for “Justice League,” the long awaited superhero team up film based on the DC Comics superheroes of the same name. This is the third, and most likely final trailer for the WB tentpole.

The trailer for the superhero mashup opened with the death of Superman. We see Henry Cavill making a fleeting appearance, the first time that the Superman (or in this case Clark Kent) has shown up in a Justice League trailer, suggesting we will be seeing more of the Man of Steel, my Adam’s Lois Lane in despair, violence, acts of war and terrorism are all on the rise.

“The world needs Superman,” says Bruce Wayne. “I made him a promise, which is why I’ve brought you together.”

What follows is a collage of epic battles as our heroes fend off an invasion of Parademons, the extraterrestrial troops introduced during Batman’s dream sequence in last year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Aside from established DC characters Batman and Wonder Woman, other members such as Aquaman, Cyborg and Flash are also prominently featured.

Directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by Joss Whedon, Justice League is for release on November 17, 2017 with an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons.

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New Teaser Art For “Thoroughbreds”

By Creative Media Times

Focus Features

Focus Features has released a new teaser art for “Thoroughbreds,” ahead of the film’s teaser trailer release next week.

Directed by Cory Finley from a screenplay he also wrote, the drama thriller stars Anya Taylor-Joy (“Split”), Olivia Cooke (“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”), Paul Sparks (Netflix’s “House of Cards”) and Anton Yelchin (“Star Trek” films) in his last role before his tragic death last year.

Early this year, the movie premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and is scheduled for release on select theaters March 9, 2018.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:

Childhood friends Lily and Amanda reconnect in suburban Connecticut after years of growing apart. Lily has turned into a polished, upper-class teenager, with a fancy boarding school on her transcript and a coveted internship on her resume; Amanda has developed a sharp wit and her own particular attitude, but all in the process of becoming a social outcast. Though they initially seem completely at odds, the pair bond over Lily’s contempt for her oppressive stepfather, Mark, and as their friendship grows, they begin to bring out one another’s most destructive tendencies. Their ambitions lead them to hire a local hustler, Tim, and take matters into their own hands to set their lives straight.

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New “Pacific Rim Uprising” Trailer Feature Epic Robot Action

By Creative Media Times

Universal Pictures


The first look at “Pacific Rim Uprising” has no shortage of giant robots and monsters in action and it looks spectacular. Unveiled on Friday at New York Comic-Con, the return of monstrous Kaijus guarantees epic battles bigger than the first film.

The trailer introduces us to John Boyega’s Jake Pentecost, the son of Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) who sacrificed himself in the original 2013 Guillermo del Toro film. There is also franchise newcomer Scott Eastwood as Jaeger pilot Lambert, Pacific Rim alums Charlie Day, Burn Gorman and a glimpse of Rinko Kikuchi’s Mako Mori.

Directed by Steven S. DeKnight, the trailer certainly have that same spectacle seen on his TV work on Starz series Spartacus, fully aware of robot vs. monster appeal but a tad less serious than the original. Director Guillermo del Toro is credited for the story.

Pacific Rim: Uprising is scheduled to stomp into theaters on March 23, 2018.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:

The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in Pacific Rim Uprising.

John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) stars as the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot whose legendary father gave his life to secure humanity’s victory against the monstrous “Kaiju.” Jake has since abandoned his training only to become caught up in a criminal underworld. But when an even more unstoppable threat is unleashed to tear through our cities and bring the world to its knees, he is given one last chance to live up to his father’s legacy by his estranged sister, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi)—who is leading a brave new generation of pilots that have grown up in the shadow of war. As they seek justice for the fallen, their only hope is to unite together in a global uprising against the forces of extinction.

To read full synopsis, visit Pacific Rim Uprising’s website

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New “Justice League” Posters Show Characters Are “All In”

By Creative Media Times

WB/DC

With the release of “Justice League” fast approaching, Warner Bros. is gearing up the promo by releasing cool new poster for each superhero character, sans Superman, and there’s plenty of bright colors.

The posters individually features stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg. There’s no sign of Superman in these posters, which is expected considering how Batman V Superman ended.

A new trailer is also set to premiere early morning of Sunday, the film’s official Twitter page announced. “Get ready for the all new #JusticeLeague trailer this Sunday at 9AM ET / 6AM PT.”

There is a definite shift to brighter and lighter look on these recent Justice League promo materials, especially after director Joss Whedon’s involvement. Though overall, they seem to blend well with the darker tone and aesthetic that Zack Snyder started. Snydon anyone?

Justice League is the second DCEU film this year, following this summer’s top grosser Wonder Woman. Scheduled to be released on November 17, 2017, the film also stars Henry Cavill Ciarán Hinds, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons.

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Marvel Announces RISE OF THE BLACK PANTHER Series

Evan Narcisse and Ta-Nehisi Coates reveal Wakanda’s legacy this January

This January, just ahead of the highly anticipated film, Marvel will reveal T’Challa’s journey to become king of Wakanda in a series co-written by io9 senior writer Evan Narcisse and Black Panther writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, along with artist Paul Renaud. Set in the world of Coates’ landmark Black Panther book, this new series will tell the story of Young T’Challa and his lineage, showing how the world learns about the wondrous nation of Wakanda for the first time.

This 6-issue run will also explore the reign of T’Chaka, the king whose death changed Wakanda’s history, and the life of T’Challa’s birth mother – someone T’Challa never had the chance to know. Narcisse will be making his comics debut with this series, and each issue will feature a painted cover by Black Panther artist Brian Stelfreeze.

For more information, visit io9.com. Look for more to be revealed at this week’s New York Comic Con during the Cup O’ Joe Presents Marvel Legacy: AVENGERS panel on Saturday, October 7 at 11:15am ET.

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First Trailer For Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel”

By Creative Media Times

The director is back in another potential awards magnet “Wonder Wheel”, this time with Kate Winslet and Justin Timberlake. Amazon Studios has released the first trailer for the film, ahead of it’s closing night premiere at 55th New York Film Festival on October 14, 2017. Jim Belushi, Juno Temple co-star in the drama film set in late 1950s against the backdrop of 1950s Coney Island.

Allen also wrote the original script while Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now) shot the film. Vittorio recently collaborated with Allen on 2016’s Cafe Society.

The trailer looks picturesque with beautiful shots of fluorishing Coney Island beaches and amusement park. It has Allen’s touch of old Hollywood vibe as it follows waitress Ginny (Wislet), her temperamental carousel operator husband Humpty (Belushi), a young aspring playwrite/lifeguard Mickey (Timberlake) and his estranged daughter Carolina (Temple) who is on the run from the mob.

The film will go into limited release December 1, marking the online retail giant’s first solo venture into self-distribution, seemingly moving closer into establishing itself a major film studio.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:

WONDER WHEEL tells the story of four characters whose lives intertwine amid the hustle and bustle of the Coney Island amusement park in the 1950s: Ginny (Kate Winslet), an emotionally volatile former actress now working as a waitress in a clam house; Humpty (Jim Belushi), Ginny’s rough-hewn carousel operator husband; Mickey (Justin Timberlake), a handsome young lifeguard who dreams of becoming a playwright; and Carolina (Juno Temple), Humpty’s long-estranged daughter, who is now hiding out from gangsters at her father’s apartment. Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro captures a tale of passion, violence, and betrayal that plays out against the picturesque tableau of 1950s Coney Island.

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Water Tower Music To Release Batman And Harley Quinn: Music From The DC Universe Original Movie

… and Batman Vs.Two-Face: Music From The DC Animated Movie. Both titled to be released October 6 and feature original music by the Emmy award-winning dynamic music partners (DMP)

Water Tower Music announced today the October 6 release of two titles: Batman and Harley Quinn: Music From The DC Universe Original Movie AND Batman Vs. Two-Face: Music From The DC Animated Movie. The albums feature the movie’s original score by Dynamic Music Partners (DMP), a team of 3 composers who previously scored Batman Beyond. The soundtracks will be available at all digital music providers and on CD exclusively at FYE stores.

“We’re thrilled that WaterTower Music is releasing soundtracks for two of our current projects: Batman & Harley Quinn and Batman vs. Two-Face!” explained the three Emmy Award-winning composers Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis and Kristopher Carter, collectively known as Dynamic Music Partners. “The “Batman vs. Two-Face” score gave us one final opportunity to honor the late Adam West as Batman, with all the Bams! Zings! and Pows! made famous by the original television series music written by musical icons Neil Hefti and Nelson Riddle. Collaboration with producer James Tucker always brings us great creative freedom!

“With “Harley Quinn,” we returned to the musical world of “Batman: The Animated Series,” which was our first collaboration with Bruce Timm as part of Shirley Walker’s team,” they continued. “Along with recreating that Dark Deco mood, we also paid homage to some of the greatest jazz scores of the 70’s and 80’s. Our long creative history with Bruce usually allows for a musical and dramatic shorthand while discussing the score; this particular project, with its comedic twists and turns, really kept us on our toes!

“We worked with our key music team on the scores (engineers Mark Mattson and Mako Sujishi, woodwind player John Yoakum, Greg Herzenach on guitars, Andris Mattson playing trumpet on “Two-Face,” and trumpet legend Wayne Bergeron on “Harley”) to take the listener on journeys that are simultaneously familiar and fresh for fans who will undoubtedly appreciate these distinct takes on the Batman universe. Both albums will be available October 6 at all digital music providers and on CD exclusively at FYE Stores:

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Radiohead Among Nominees For 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

By Armando

Parlophone – EMI


It seems like it was only yesterday that Radiohead released their debut single “Creep,” the quintessential track from their album “Pablo Honey” which brought them worldwide success.

But that was 1992, making the influential English alternative rock band seemingly a shoo-in for induction on their first year of eligibility to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where performers qualify for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording.

Along with Rage Against the Machine, Dire Straits, Judas Priest, among others, Radiohead is one of 9 first-time nominees for 2018 induction class. In total, there are 19 nominated artists announced on Tuesday.

By December this list will be truncated to five and revealed as Class of 2018. They will then be inducted during a ceremony at the Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio on April 14th, 2018, an annual musical occasion which includes numerous performances by both the inductees and the presenters.

According to Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame website, fans will be able to participate in the selection process by selecting 5 artists at a time. This will comprise the “fan ballot” and will be tallied alongside the ballots from Rock Hall voting body, which is a group of more than 900 artists, historians and music-industry professionals.

Throughout the past, inductees include some of the most influential names in rock history, such as Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Jackson 5. Last year, Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Baez, Journey, Pearl Jam, Tupak Shakur, and Yes comprised the 2017 Hall of Fame class.

For the full list of nominees, click here.

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