Composers!
I'm visiting in from the acting and screenwriting lounges, since I also studied music, composition, and can boast to absolutely obsessing over certain movie and television soundtracks, recognizing the instruments, the type of conducting, and even occasionally pretending to be the conductor myself.
There are three movies, motion picture soundtracks to be precise ( to keep the list brief) that never, ever, fail to move me, stop me in my tracks, and take me somewhere deep within: (and it seems the early 2000 were great years for movie music)
1. "Gladiator", (2000) The main theme, in particular, but really all the movements and transitions, are other-worldy, yet, deeply root themselves in my body the moment I begin listening to it.
2. "Chocolat", (2000) The lightness and beauty is felt, almost tangible through the screen, just by hearing the music. I can see it in front of my eyes.
3. "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003) The first one, to be honest with you all, I still put this soundtrack on when I am writing action, fast paced, comedy, thriller scripts, or when I am happy, and feeling feisty, and daring.
I must give a nod to two motion picture soundtrack that are forever a part of my repertoire of inspiration: the Indiana Jones movies soundtracks, and the James Bond motion picture soundtracks.
What are some of your favorite motion picture, or television series soundtracks, and how have the affected, changed, or remained a constant in your life, career, or being, to this day?
Thanks for letting me play!
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The Jaws theme is one of my favorites, Juliana Philippi. And I listen to soundtracks, instrumentals, and songs when I outline and write a script.
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Maurice Vaughan That's such a good one Maurice, the rhythm...the pauses...the simplicity...that's a great one.
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I have so many. I'll just name a few (by the way, I love Gladiator as well)
Start with Vertigo by Hermann. Not so much for the shower scene, but for everything around it. The way he weaves in and out of the scenes is just amazing. As a matter of fact, I just finished a short film where the temp idea was Vertigo, and so it was challenging yet fun to create something that sounded dated in that perspective.
I love Steve Jablonsky's reboot of Texas Chainsaw in 2003. That soundtrack is scary in all of the right ways. Transferring you down into the gutter and bowls of evil. That has really inspired me on some of the Horror that I have worked on.
Under the Skin by Mica Levi is one of the most original soundtracks I have ever heard. Levi uses such original organic composition to leave you a bit unsettled as the main character makes its' way through its' travels in the story.
Last of the Mohicans by Trevor Jones, all I can say is, I never tire of listening to this from beginning to end. It's such a great soundtrack.
Basic Instinct by Jerry Goldsmith. I actually think Goldsmith gets forgotten too much.Listen to this soundtrack and one will be reminded of just how he could do such wonderful things with horns and strings.
As mentioned before, I think Zimmer's Gladiator gets overlooked for some of his other work. Other than "Now I am Free", most folks forget the other pieces that move the film along (the tempo seems to slow down and quicken the story in places).
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. As electronic scores go, these two never disappoint. I always find myself fascinated by their blends of synths and percussive instruments.
And finally, I'll just say Danny Elfman. No one particular movie. His scores just always do it for me.
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Sorry did not mean to include shower scene for Vertigo. That was side tracked thinking on my part lol
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The scores in Jurassic Park are some of my favorites too, Juliana Philippi. I listen to music that matches the genre of my script.
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Juliana Philippi - Love this question. Somewhere in Time is a big one for me—partly because I learned to play the theme, so it lives in my hands, not just my ears. The Piano is similar for me in that way. And Titanic too—maybe cliché, but the emotional pull is undeniable, and just hearing it still brings tears.
Memphis Belle has always stayed with me as well, and more recently Masters of the Air—there’s something about that kind of score where the scale is powerful, but the humanity is what really lands. And then there are the soundtracks that shaped me early on—Footloose, Ghost, Dirty Dancing, and The Goonies. Those scores didn’t just support the films—they became part of the emotional memory.
And honestly, almost anything Hans Zimmer touches moves me, even when I can’t immediately name the title—it’s the feeling that stays.
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Bruce Bray YEY!!! Yes, yes, love all of those!!!!! And I will now watch "Under the Skin", oooh looks like something I would looove. Agree, Danny Elfman is a master, oh and I also forgot to add Hans Zimmer, particularly "Dark Knight" soundtrack, it chills me, and I use it a lot for acting preparation. Oh! And, another one: motion picture soundtrack for "Black Hawk Down"...it moves me so, tears always, always fall, it's really powerful. Again, Hans Zimmer...
And I am not someone you apologize too for adding scene descriptions, an actor / screenwriter / dancer / singer / love all of it! So, loved it!
And agree, the entire music for "Gladiator" is overlooked because it takes a paused moment to sit and let it come in, but it just transports you to another dimension.
Thank you for this amazing conversation!!!! Love composers!!!
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Maurice Vaughan Oh my gosh, you're totally right, that music is amazing for writing. The tempo is great, that's becoming a throughline here...tempo. The tempo, really determines what you write with. Love it!!!
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Kat Spencer HANS ZIMMER!! !Yes, I mentioned it to Bruce too. There is just something about his scores, I automatically listen to them again, and again...powerful alchemizing there. Oh, "The Goonies"!!! I love, love, love this movie!!! And the music is sooooo good! I always watch this move to remember how amazing life is, and that as children, we knew, the power was within us. I love your list of movies and soundtracks, I totally agree about the humanity being the most beautiful thing of a composition...the feelings, the emotions...
If we really are being honest here, the soundtracks of movies, are the most vital language...they are the universal code, the magic imprint that literally, ANYONE, and EVERYONE can understand. The heart speaks here : )
Oh, and "The Piano", yup, have to add that one for my "acting prep" list, I really lose it with that one.
"Titanic"...girl, epic...it's a moment in our lives that marked a really, truly important story that took us somewhere else. We all dreamed of being Rose, of having our own Jack Dawson...I love this : )
Thank you for this, I really enjoy this, gushing over here!
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Unlike typical superhero OSTs, Hans Zimmer’s The Dark Knight score tells a story through atmosphere rather than just melody. It perfectly encapsulates the duality of Batman: a hero who isn’t looking for applause, but is willing to be the villain Gotham needs. Zimmer’s work is a masterstroke of darkness, heroism, and epic scale, proving that a score can be just as complex as the character it represents.
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Subin Karkani Absolutely, I completely agree, it really is so much more. The score feels like a living, breathing thing in The Dark Knight, and also The Dark Knight Rises, but this one even darker, taking that journey of the story with it, the darkness taking over Gotham... It's a transition from one to the other, but I can't help but get completely immersed, and my emotions react immediately to the rhythmic changes of the percussion, the strings, and the brass...it's just an epic, living, speaking character.
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Hey Juliana Philippi - as far as favs go..
The Asteroid Field: The Empire Strikes Back
Ignition: Man of Steel
Gap: X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Surprise Attack: Star Trek 2:TWoK
Vespertilio: Batman Begins
Anything Audiomachine (not everything of theirs is used in soundtracks)
Anything Hans Zimmer
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Leonardo Ramirez Oh yes! STAR WARS! How could we forget that epic music? Hans Zimmer...everyone here...he just has connected with stories and humanity so viscerally, it's amazing so many different people love his music. Lots of hero music here : ) Inspirational stories of good standing tall in the face of darkness and chaos.
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Yes Juliana Philippi - I do love me the pew-pews! #YaSabes
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Leonardo Ramirez #wegother , #wefoundone...#alientango? lol!!!!
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