Bear McCreary: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the composer reflects on their lifelong passion for film music, beginning with early influences and mentorship under Elmer Bernstein. They highlight their breakthrough with *Battlestar Galactica*, which opened doors in their career and became a cultural phenomenon. The composer contrasts the role of music in television and film, emphasizing that TV music can be just as impactful and innovative, especially during this creative renaissance in the medium. Their work on projects like *Human Target* showcases a commitment to adventurous and thematic scoring, illustrating how music enhances storytelling.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The speaker always wanted to be a film composer, showing a lifelong passion for music over other aspects of filmmaking.
• 🌟 Mentorship from Elmer Bernstein, a legendary composer, greatly influenced the speaker's career and personal growth.
• 📺 The speaker's first significant role was working on the Battlestar Galactica miniseries, which opened many doors in the industry.
• 🚀 Starting as a creative partner rather than an orchestrator helped the speaker gain recognition and experience in scoring music.
• 🏆 Battlestar Galactica became a culturally significant project, winning awards and leading to sold-out concerts, highlighting the impact of quality music.
• 🎹 The speaker originally played the accordion, finding it more expressive than piano, even incorporating it into some music for Battlestar.
• 📺 For the show Human Target, the speaker's music is described as fun and adventurous, reminiscent of classic film scores.
• 🔊 The importance of music in television is emphasized, as it helps enhance the storytelling amidst commercial interruptions.
• 🎼 The speaker believes that television scores can be as impactful as film music, providing opportunities for creative expression.
• 🌱 The current era of television is seen as a creative Renaissance, allowing composers to grow and experiment more than in the past.

Q & A

What inspired the composer to pursue a career in film music?

The composer was inspired by a lifelong passion for music, which became evident during childhood when they preferred discussing film scores over other movie elements with friends.

Who was a significant mentor for the composer early in their career?

Elmer Bernstein, a legendary film composer known for scores like 'The Ten Commandments' and 'The Blues Brothers,' served as a significant mentor, providing inspiration both professionally and personally.

What role did the composer have when starting out with Richard Gibbs?

The composer began as an assistant to Richard Gibbs, where they contributed by writing additional cues for the 'Battlestar Galactica' miniseries.

At what age did the composer begin scoring episodes for 'Battlestar Galactica'?

The composer started scoring episodes for 'Battlestar Galactica' at the age of 24 after the pilot was picked up to become a series.

What impact did 'Battlestar Galactica' have on the composer's career?

The series was pivotal in establishing the composer's career, leading to further opportunities and recognition in the film and television industry.

What instrument did the composer initially play, and which instrument did they end up preferring?

The composer initially played the piano but preferred the accordion, finding it to be a more expressive instrument.

How does the composer describe the music in 'Human Target' compared to 'Battlestar Galactica'?

The music for 'Human Target' is described as more fun and bombastic, drawing inspiration from classic film composers, while 'Battlestar Galactica' had a darker, more ambient tone.

What challenges does the composer identify when composing music for television?

One challenge is that music often needs to serve as background due to commercial interruptions, requiring it to be effective in conveying the story without overwhelming the visuals.

What does the composer believe about the role of music in television compared to film?

The composer believes that music in television can be just as important as in film, providing opportunities for creativity and thematic development over longer series compared to shorter films.

How does the composer view the current state of television music?

The composer sees a creative renaissance in television music, feeling that there is more freedom to experiment and develop themes compared to a decade ago.