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 Twopop 
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Member#: 7382
Posts: 2673
Location: Oregon
    
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 Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:13 am Post subject: |
 
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As if it weren’t enough to get to hear and meet Danny Elfman, we went from the sublime to the… well, the sublime – A session with composer John Powell!
THE HEARTSONGS OF HAPPY FEET
John Powell (seated next to Edie Lehmann Boddicker) and his musical team.
This 4 person panel consisted of John Powell and members of his music team for the newly-released film “Happy Feet.” According to director George Miller, “Happy Feet” was an accidental musical, having started as a non-musical script. The songs and score were born out of a dramatic need to explain the life cycle of the Emperor Penguin and how an outsider can change the world.
The soundtrack for “Happy Feet” is a bit like “Moulin Rouge,” in that it consists of bits and pieces of many famous songs tied together as dialogue and to move the story forward. To get the clearance rights and pay the license fees for more than 40 songs was a very daunting (not to mention expensive) task! It didn’t matter whether they wanted to use just 4 bars or an entire song – each one required a release and full royalty payment. They found that most publishers and artists were excited to have their songs featured in this animated feature, especially once they saw some footage or heard who the voice talents were. But others turned them down, or couldn’t allow it even if they wanted to (notably The Beatles).
They showed many clips from “Happy Feet” to illustrate their points. The most interesting part was about the opening sequence. They were experimenting with various songs for the Elvis and Marilyn character penguins. Powell would explain their thinking process and then show the clip. The tape included both rough animation and even just still storyboards, synched in time with the music.
Then the lights would come up, and he would explain other choices and trials they’d done, followed by the showing of another clip. This went on for 4-5 tries. Some were good, some not so good. But when they got it “right”, you just knew it! And that what is in the final theatrical version. Fascinating stuff.
Moderator journalist Dan Kimpel with John Powell
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Powell and vocalist/voice contractor Edie Lehmann Boddicker |
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Twopop
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Member#: 7382
Posts: 2673
Location: Oregon
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:14 am Post subject: |
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The closing session of the conference ended at 6:45 PM.
THE POWER OF INDIES
This panel discussed how Hollywood’s most innovative filmmakers, music supervisors and record labels achieve their musical aims. They talked about how indies find the best music at the lowest cost, clearances and licensing, advantages and disadvantages of soundtrack album releases, and why music plays such a vital role in indie films. |
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Twopop
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Member#: 7382
Posts: 2673
Location: Oregon
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:24 am Post subject: |
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In closing I would like to say thank you to Ray Costa of Costa Communications for making it possible for Saffron and me to attend this wonderfully-run conference. A big thank you to Jeric, too, for asking us to represent our beloved SST at such a major event. This was the first time StreamingSoundtracks has gone “public”, and hopefully marks just the beginning of many more opportunities to let the industry know that our web site is the very best soundtrack station on the net.
It was tremendously educational and eye-opening. We learned things that hopefully will be of help to Jeric and others as SST grows and adapts to all the changes in the entertainment industry.
Oh the fangirl in me was excited and thrilled, too; and I think I successfully maintained my composure – at least most of the time.
My dear fellow SSTers, from the minute we entered the hotel lobby for the first time, I always tried to keep in mind that Saffron and I were your eyes and ears. What would you like to have seen, experienced, and heard? I hope after reading this report, you feel at least in some small way that you indeed were there.
Twopop |
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 Alchemist
Vice Admiral (Moderator)
Joined: Dec 30, 2003
Member#: 4272
Posts: 1621
Location: Annecy
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:36 am Post subject: |
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This is awesome! Being at work, I can't read the whole report for now, but I'll asap 
Thank you very, very much!!
_________________
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe" - Blade Runner |
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 j2brown
Commodore
Joined: Feb 22, 2002
Member#: 9
Posts: 3188
Location: Sterling, VA
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:22 am Post subject: |
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Great writeup, Twopop. Thanks for sharing.
(however, your subject did make me think "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle")
jeff
sdg |
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 bpewien
Captain
Joined: Feb 01, 2006
Member#: 13275
Posts: 1334
Location: Vienna, Austria
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:43 am Post subject: |
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Oh my...  I really do envy you, Twopop & Saffron! 
Sounds as if you had a great deal of fun and information.
Great report, a very informative lecture!
_________________
If our music survives, which I have no doubt it will,
then it will because it is good - Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004) |
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PeteC
Commander
Joined: Nov 26, 2003
Member#: 3796
Posts: 587
Location: Evanston, IL
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:44 am Post subject: |
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Well, this is unbelievable! I am
sure we're so happy to have had
you both represent the site, at
what looks to have been quite an
event! I am going to have to sit
and digest your reports. This is
just fantastic.
I could not have thought of two
better people for the job, either.
Thank you, both, so very much!
_________________
All in the world recognize the
beautiful as beautiful. Herein
lies ugliness. All recognize the
good as good. Herein lies evil. |
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Luther_III
Commander
Joined: Jun 20, 2005
Member#: 10621
Posts: 846
Location: New Orleans
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Wow! What an experience.
Next year: SST exhibition booth!
_________________
"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
--Albert Einstein |
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rebeccabutterfly
Lieutenant Commander
Joined: Sep 13, 2003
Member#: 3098
Posts: 455
Location: Teaxsahs
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:46 am Post subject: |
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how absolutely wonderful for you two to go, and experience that, and come back and share it all with us. Extremely helpful wrap-up of it all. Thank you.
_________________
Was that an earthquake, or did I just rock your world? |
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 molossus
Admiral (Administrator)
Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Member#: 11167
Posts: 3307
Location: Warsaw & once in a blue moon Szczecin (Poland)
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Great report! Thank you Two & Saff for sharing.
BTW: Did Danny Elfman know what SST.com (on your bag Two) is? 
_________________
<i>"The piano keys are black and white,
But they sound like a million colors in your mind"</i>
(from "Spider's Web" by <a href="http://katiemelua.com/music/#KatieMelua">Katie Melua</a>)
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan |
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Twopop
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Member#: 7382
Posts: 2673
Location: Oregon
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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| molossus wrote: |
| Did Danny Elfman know what SST.com (on your bag Two) is? |
Not till I told him, and mentioned how popular his scores are on the site. Then I slipped him an SST business card, which he put in his pocket.
Hope he checks us out!  |
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molossus
Admiral (Administrator)
Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Member#: 11167
Posts: 3307
Location: Warsaw & once in a blue moon Szczecin (Poland)
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Cool!
| Twopop wrote: |
| Hope he checks us out! |
Imagine how great it would be to see him requesting and chatting at SST some day!
_________________
<i>"The piano keys are black and white,
But they sound like a million colors in your mind"</i>
(from "Spider's Web" by <a href="http://katiemelua.com/music/#KatieMelua">Katie Melua</a>)
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan |
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zirael
Commander
Joined: Feb 05, 2004
Member#: 4924
Posts: 795
Location: North Carolina
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Two and Saffy,
Thanks for taking the time to do the detailed write-ups with amazing photos of each session. I'm sure you were both wonderful ambassadors for SST at the conference! |
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 Arya
Lieutenant Commander
Joined: Dec 10, 2004
Member#: 8715
Posts: 263
Location: Ontario
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Posted:
Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| molossus wrote: |
Cool!
| Twopop wrote: |
| Hope he checks us out! |
Imagine how great it would be to see him requesting and chatting at SST some day! |
Oh wow...now that I would *love* to be around for! Things would be very interesting with greats like him lurking in our midst
_________________
When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. |
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Caliburn
Guest
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Posted:
Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:39 am Post subject: |
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Would be awesome to see a 'DannyElfman' account. No one would prolly believe he is the real one then :-) |
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