We totally love Bear McCreary here at Pop Critics, mostly because the work he does on Battlestar Galactica is astounding, but a tiny bit is also because he did a nice interview with us not too long ago.
Some of you may not be that into the idea of composing music for a series, but I have to tell you, the more I’ve learned about the process from Bear’s blog, the more it fascinates me.
During the afore mentioned interview, I had asked him about a piece of music he’d eluded to in a previous blog posting, and he had this answer:
But, for me as an artist and a composer, this piece changed the way I think about my music. If I had to pick the most essential music I’ve written for the series, in terms of my own artistic growth, this would be it. I think you’ll know it when you hear it, but I’ll give you a hint. It’s in “Revelations.” *smiley*
Well, that episode was last night and I can fully understand now what he was talking about. Especially after reading his recap this morning.
He struggled a lot with the musical score for this episode, it took him much longer than normal, but when he was done, it had affected the way he would write for future episodes:
On a very personal level, “Diaspora Oratorio” is my first piece I feel has lived up to the promise of “The Collapse of Saint Francis.” It is easily my most significant musical achievement to date on Battlestar Galactica, Whether or not it becomes a fan favorite does not diminish the impact that writing it has had on me.
An unforeseen result of my long struggle writing the “Oratorio” was that it ended up having a powerful impact on the second half of the season. It is the first time that my process of composing has affected the series. I hate to be so vague, but I can’t go into further detail until you guys see the episode I’m referring to. It is a story for a future entry.
Diaspora Oratorio is the five minute span of music at the end of the episode, before it breaks to utter silence.
His recap of the episode is so much longer than the excerpt above and I suggest you go check it out when you get a chance.
The music Bear composed in Revelations was just amazing…I can’t even put into words about how much it MAKES the show what it is, and how 90% of other TV music out there pales in comparison.
Glad you are helping to raise awareness of the role and importance of musical scores in tv and films Mike. This is fantastic to help people understand that it is not just another part of the canvas that the story is painted upon, but it is actually some of the strokes and color that helps to breathe life into the story itself. I'm also glad that Bear is willing to share his creative process and insights as he does – this is a great education process for the average viewer.
Exactly Ape…amazing stuff. I mean, you watch so many shows and the music in the background could have been composed by typing into a computer something like “Funny + romance + teen drama” and out pops a score they can use.
In other words, most stuff out there feels so generic.
But Bear puts so much of his life and effort into this show…it's seriously 50% of why the show is so good.
And his recaps are amazing…that much detail to explain the process…it has to be educational for others out there looking to do the same thing.
Exactly Ape…amazing stuff. I mean, you watch so many shows and the music in the background could have been composed by typing into a computer something like “Funny + romance + teen drama” and out pops a score they can use.
In other words, most stuff out there feels so generic.
But Bear puts so much of his life and effort into this show…it's seriously 50% of why the show is so good.
And his recaps are amazing…that much detail to explain the process…it has to be educational for others out there looking to do the same thing.
Mrs Capn and I looked at each other last night during the showing, and we both stated we had goose bumps, and its all from the music man, it was inside us, hard to explain, just really awesome the score he put together for this…
Mrs Capn and I looked at each other last night during the showing, and we both stated we had goose bumps, and its all from the music man, it was inside us, hard to explain, just really awesome the score he put together for this…
I'm convinced that 50% of the reason The Sarah Connor Chronicles was so good is this man right here.
I'm convinced that 50% of the reason The Sarah Connor Chronicles was so good is this man right here.
I agree, and the good news is that Sarah Connor's soundtrack will be coming out later this year!
I agree, and the good news is that Sarah Connor's soundtrack will be coming out later this year!