The Music Man Pt. 2

Composer Charles Dennler's a pretty cool guy. He's due to pick up this year's BIFF Award for Excellence in Music for Film. We just finished editing an interview we did with him by phone from his home studio outside of Denver. Even though he was battling a cold and felt like hell he never once tried to hurry things up or pull a ruse to get us off the line (Oh, wow. Spielberg's on the other line. Sorry, I just have to take this...).
Nope. Quite the opposite, in fact. He took the time to indulge our full broadside of geeky movie music questions. Actually, this was more a conversation than an interview - a conversation with someone who is obviously extremely passionate about the marriage of music and film, sound and vision.

Here's a taste:

Mark Shaffer: I’m a huge fan of film scores and composers. Who are your influences or do you draw more from your own experience as a musician and composer?

Charles Denler: Well it’s certainly a little bit of both. My mentor once told me, “Good composers are completely original but great composers copy great composers.” I try to spend some time every day studying great composers – Beethoven, Brahms, a lot of Bach. But then I also study contemporary composers like Ennio Morricone –

MS: Ah, The Maestro.

CD: His score for The Mission is probably one of my all time favorites and the reason I am film scoring. I remember seeing The Mission back in the ‘80’s and something snapped in me. It took a few years to surface, but when I heard that music it just stirred my soul. Definitely Morricone and – of course – John Williams. I listen to a ton of John Williams. He’s the most lyrical composer in history. His music is amazing. I don’t know if we’ll ever see those days again where the themes [in film] are so brilliant.

MS: I agree and this is strange: just before we began this conversation, I posted a preview of this interview on our film blog after listening to some of your work and I actually mentioned Morricone and Williams.

CD: Wow, (laughs) that’s funny.

MS: Incidentally, they’re two of my favorites. Their stuff is incredibly iconic.

CD: It is. It’s lyrical and thematic. You know, I’ve told my agent and my friends and producers and directors I work with that if you want “sound effect music” don’t call me. I won’t do it. I refuse to do it. I believe that there’s still a place for melody in film – something that’s not part of the sound effects library they’re using to sweeten the film, but something that actually gives the film a signature sound. There are still a few films out there that do that and a few directors who look for a signature theme for their film. 



By the way, Denler's favorite Williams score is Jurassic Park. Catch the entire interview in the special BIFF edition of Lowcountry Weekly in print and online February 16th.

In the meantime...
Charles, this for you:

So what are your favorite film scores? Composers?

BIFF's Music Man

Before we begin...
Sure the Packers won last night and it was a great game (unless, of course, you were pulling for the Steelers). The commercials are always a draw for us, even if our team's not playing, and this year's crop of mini-movies (that's what they are) was pretty good. The one that's still with us the next day...

"Darth, it was your father..."


Back on point
We're amassing quite an impressive list of filmmaker interviews for the Feb 16th print/web edition of The Lowcountry Weekly showcasing The Beaufort Int'l Film Fest. Next up is American composer, Charles David Denler.

Composer Charles David Denler

Denler will be honored with the Jean Ribaut Award for Excellence in Music for Film at the Feb 19th Awards Gala. Denler's name may not ring as many bells as John Williams or Ennio Morricone, but he's definitely an artist with that sort of potential. Here's a slice of his bio from the BIFF website:

With nearly 100 films and television programs to his credit, Charles' multiple Emmy Award-winning music can be heard all over the world. His ability to work in a wide variety of genres, and his collaborative work sense, has made him a top choice among producers and directors. Charles' classical training and strong proficiency with contemporary sound allow him great flexibility and versatility as a composer.

You can check out the Emmy winning composer's resume and sample his work right here and enjoy Denler's funky score for this short animated film:

We'd like to think that maybe one day soon we'll sit back in a darkened movie theater and munch our popcorn to Denler's score for a feature film shot in the Lowcountry...

- Mark Shaffer

Sound And Vision

This has absolutely nothing to do with movies or even the Beaufort Int'l Film Fest. It's just a great song and kind of our unofficial theme for BIFF 2011...

...and yet film is very defninitley a marriage of sound and vision. During the recent Beaufort Film Society event at Saltus we were briefly party to a conversation between a pair of film professionals, one an accomplished cinematographer and the other a much sought after sound designer and editor. Of course, the good-natured argument centered around which was more important - literally - sound or vision? They can argue the point until Megan Fox's Oscar speech. The ultimate answer is that sound and vision are co-dependent in the modern age of film.

Which brings us to one of the finalists in the Feature Film category, Beaufort's own Michael Givens Angel Camouflaged. Michael wrote, directed and photographed the movie. And since music is a big part, we're pretty sure he appreciated his sound editor, too.

Michael tells us his leading lady, Dilana, is flying in from South Africa for BIFF. Frankly, we're slightly terrified at the prospect.

 
Read the Lowcountry Weekly interview with Michael here and link to the BIFF website for schedule and ticket. Buy now, don't wait.

Boffo Night for BIFF at Saltus

That's Lantz Price, Demi Moore and Chip Dinkins at the Feb 3rd Saltus event for the Beaufort International Film Festival and the Beaufort Film Society. Demi's the only one who looks like she's not having any fun, probably because she's only a one dimensional projection. But we're not here to criticize her acting abilities...

BIFF's Ron Tucker. Lowcountry Weekly Editor, Margaret Evans

We're here to praise everyone who showed up to make the night a big blazing success and sample a phenomenal menu by Chef Brian Waters.

Chef Brian Waters, Adagio Creative's Carrie Carper and Saltus G.M. Tony Otero

This was a great warm up for the 5th annual BIFF and we've got plenty of surprises to come. Stay tuned...
Meanwhile mark your calendar for the evening of Feb 18th for the SC premier of Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good with director Jonathan Flora...

We'll see you at the movies.

For Love of the Movies, etc.

Here's the plan: 
Eventually this blog will migrate to The Lowcountry Weekly homepage and end up here - hopefully before BIFF. We're sussing out some nagging software issues regarding video. So until further notice we'll stay put 'cause we have video...

There are few organizations on the planet as dedicated to the art and preservation of film than The American Film Institute. The AFI is also relentlessly dedicated to the real reason most of us lay down the money at the theater: the shear fun of the movies. Each year the AFI honors achievement in film & television. They also put together these magnificently edited montages. Enjoy a few favorites in preparation for the Beaufort International Film Festival:

Check out the AFI Website for more or search AFI on YourTube. See you at the movies.

The Official Film Fest Cocktail

CHILL OUT

It's light, it's refreshing, it's alcoholic and it's green. What more could you ask for in a beverage?

Behold the first official cocktail of The Beaufort International Film Festival, The Big Chill.

This custom concoction is the brainchild of Saltus Head Bartender, Marlowe Dickens. It is fully guaranteed to take the hurt out of your William Hurt (or perhaps make it hurt more, we don't know). What we do know is that The Big Chill is exclusively enjoyable at Saltus River Grill and is the featured cocktail at this Thursday's BIFF Benefit Dinner (Feb 3) and at the officially sanctioned BIFF After Party on February 19th.

Seating is limited for this Thursday's event. Don't miss out make reservations now. Here's the rundown:

The 2011 Beaufort International Film Festival will be held February 16-20. Click here for more info.

JOIN US FOR A WINE DINNER  IN CELEBRATION OF THE BEAUFORT INT'L FILM FESTIVAL Beaufort Int'l Film Festival Benefit Dinner   @Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St. 7 p.m. February 3   $50 plus tax & gratuity $10 per paid customer to benefit The Beaufort Int'l Film Festival Reservations: 379-3474 Course 1 Signature Crab Bisque Frei Brothers Russian River Chardonnay Course 2 Local Arugula Salad, Pickled Red Onion, Shaved Parmesan, Sherry Vinaigrette. Glazebrook New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Course 3 Braised Beef Short Ribs, Stewed Tomatoes, Creamy Grits, House Made Buttermilk Cheese. Rock and Vine California Cabernet Sauvignon   Course 4 "Banana Pudding" Vanilla Sabayon layered with Benne Seed Wafers, Fresh Bananas, Whipped Cream.  Lunetta Prosecco, Italy

FADE OUT: JOHN BARRY (1933-2011)

The legendary film composer, John Barry, has passed away at the age of 77. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy...

 143 films

 5 Academy Awards

 11 Bond scores




 

In fact, all the best James Bond scores - the classic, iconic themes. Thunderball. You Only Live Twice. On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Diamonds Are Forever. Goldfinger.

Barry was a master at matching the majestic sweeping vision of the cinematography to our ears and evoking an emotional response. His slow build to crescendo during the flying sequence in Out of Africa is a beautiful example.

The maestro conducts his own work.

Farewell Mr. Barry, you will be missed.
FADE TO BLACK

Lowcountry Retrospect: The Prince of Tides

Frankly, we're a bit lukewarm on the film version of Pat Conroy's epic Southern novel. Three words sum it up: Too much Babs.


In fact everything that made the book such a breakthrough for Conroy was virtually snipped from the script - a screenplay that garnered the author an Oscar nomination, nonetheless.

Conroy once told us that although he was nominated for the Academy Award for the film, he did not recognize a single word he wrote.


"It remains one of the great mysteries of Hollywood," says the author.

Nevertheless, the making of the movie was good for a few stories still making the rounds in Beaufort. Just take a carriage tour past the house on The Point that Streisand rented during the shoot to hear the famous "Sound of freedom" tale (more on that later...maybe).

And while we still feel that much of the film is far too focused on what was a mere subplot in the book (Oscar bait for Babs), there are a few nuggets here and there...

Brad Sullivan and Kate Nelligan as the battling Wingos, Henry and Lila pretty much nail every scene they're in.

And the dog food scene is right on the money....

"Now this is food, Lila."

The Beaufort International Film Festival gets underway February 16 with a special benefit February 3rd at Saltus River Grill....

Looking Back on the Big Chill, pt. 6

Part 6: What the hell happened to Alex...
That's what Kevin Costner (below) might have looked like as The Big Chill's suicide victim, Alex. Writer/Director Lawrence Kasdan shot scenes with Costner and the rest of the cast as college students and later decided they just didn't work. Costner's Alex ended up on the cutting room floor never to be seen...

As an apology, Kasdan wrote a flashy part for Costner as Jake in Silverado and the next thing you know we've got The Postman. Thanks, Larry.

As they say in France, Fin

Rock Vixens @ BIFF

Beaufort native Michael Givens' rock 'n roll redemption film "Angel Camouflaged" comes to BIFF with a slew of indy film fest awards. We can't help but notice the film also boasts some fairly legendary musical talent including Spartanburg's Marshall Tucker Band and Godfather of Rap, Kurtis Blow.

But the former Mrs. Richard Hell and current Mrs. John McEnroe got our attention. Actually, some of us know her as Patty Smyth,  of Scandal fame...

Will Patty show up for BIFF? Can't tell you. But we do know she can still belt out the tunes.

Stay tuned...

Looking Back on the Big Chill, pt. 5

Music played a huge part in The Big Chill and the soundtrack went on to sell millions of copies and introduce an entire generation to the Motown Sound, among others. What viewers don't know is that often there was no music on the set, that it was dropped in during post production.  Writer/director Lawrence Kasdan, cast & crew recall the sounds (and silence) of The Big Chill...

Up next, why Kevin Costner ended up on the editing room floor...

Looking Back on the Big Chill, pt. 4

Part 4:
Shooting in the early morning mist on Bay Street, technical gaffs, the advent of home video and the dawn of the "Me" decade - all pieces of the puzzle that factored into this landmark Lowcountry film.

Looking Back on The Big Chill, pt. 3

Part 3: Shooting in a haunted house...
Part of what made The Big Chill unique was Director/Writer Larry Kasdan's insistence that the film be shot in sequence with all the actors around even if they weren't in the scene. Shooting most of the film in an actual house (Tidalholm, above) was also key to the ensemble feel of the film. And, according to cast and crew, rumors of the house being haunted are well founded...

To be continued...

Looking Back on the Big Chill, pt. 2

Part 2 (of 6) as we remember the movie that put Beaufort on the map and launched a lot of brilliant careers. In fact, Director Lawrence Kasdan felt so bad about cutting Kevin Costner's performance that he wrote the showy role of Jake in Silverado as an apology.

We always like Costner's conviction on the line, "Let's git 'em!" It never gets old.

Looking Back on the Big Chill, pt. 1

The Big Chill really put Beaufort on Hollywood's map back in 1983 and still resonates all these years later. Lawrence Kasdan also managed to put together one of the most amazing ensemble casts in memory.

The cast and filmmakers recall the film and their time in Beaufort in this multi-part series.

Saltus Hosts Wine Dinner to Benefit BIFF

Here's the official release:

Saltus River Grill, located at 802 Bay St. in Beaufort, will host a wine dinner to benefit the Beaufort International Film Festival on Thursday, February 3 at 7 p.m. Complete with wine pairings presented by Celia Strong and a four-course meal by Saltus Chef Brian Waters, the dinner will be available for $50 per person, with $10 per paid customer to benefit the Film Festival. Reservations may be made through February 1 by calling (843) 379-3474. The menu is available at www.saltusrivergrill.com.

 

Beaufort Film Festival Chair Ron Tucker will be present to give highlights of the 2011 festival, to be held February 16-20, as well as information about membership in the Beaufort Film Festival. Favorite shorts from the 2010 festival will also be shown.

 

“This is a way for us to help drum up support for an incredible organization,” said Saltus Owner Lantz Price. “This festival is part of the artistic culture of Beaufort and we want to do our part to help sustain it.”

 

The Beaufort Film Society and the International Film Festival showcase the beautiful film-friendly region of Beaufort and the Carolina Sea Islands. For the past quarter of a century Beaufort has served as the backdrop for more than 20 major motion pictures, to include “Forrest Gump”, “The Big Chill,” “The Prince of Tides”, and many more.  The festival reintroduces Beaufort’s sweeping marsh vistas, antebellum homes, and quiet charm of the old south to a new generation of filmmakers.