The relationship between Composer and Director is the focal point in BMI's sponsorship and involvement at Sundance. Through the Sundance Composers Lab, BMI has proactively worked throughout the year in creating a dialogue within both communities regarding creative issues.
On Monday, January 22 BMI is sponsoring the "Film Music and The Creative Process" panel at 11:30 a.m. at the Prospector, 2200 Sidewinder Drive, admission is $15. BMI's Vice President, Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross is moderating the panel which includes Director Gus Van Sant, Composer Danny Elfman, Director Tom DiCillo, Composer Jim Farmer and Peter Golub, Director of the Sundance Composers Lab. Van Sant and Elfman have worked together on the films "To Die For," "Good Will Hunting" and "Psycho." DiCillo and Farmer have worked together on "Double Whammy" (premiering at Sundance) as well as "Living In Oblivion," "The Real Blonde" and "Box of Moonlight." The panel discussion will delve into topic of what makes a director/composer collaboration on a film successful, how do some of the leading directors and composers work together and what is their approach. How do directors and composers communicate, what concerns influence decisions about where to put music in a film, what kind of music best suits a scene.
On Tuesday, January 23 BMI's Ross is participating in a film music dialogue at 10 am at the Elk's Lodge, 550 Main Street, at the Sundance Music Café. Led by Golub, the round-table discussion will include Composer Jeff Danna, Music Supervisor Dawn Soler, Manager Derek Power and Ross and will focus on various aspects of film music. This discussion group will serve as an opportunity for filmmakers to meet and talk with various film music executives as well as composers, music supervisors, agents and managers.
The Sundance Composer Lab is an annual music and film program presented by Sundance and co-sponsored by BMI. Six Fellows are chosen through an application process, with the program encompassing two months with the chosen Fellows in the Composer Lab matched with Fellows in the Sundance Filmmakers lab. Together, the chosen filmmakers and composers learn the mechanics of film scoring from the inside-out, working with professionals in all aspects of film music (established composers, music editors, music supervisors, agents, etc...). Past advisors to the lab include Sundance Founder Robert Redford, Composer Thomas Newman, Van Sant, Elfman, Director Casi Lemmons and Composer Terence Blanchard.
Sundance has made a compilation CD entitled "Music From The Sundance Composers Lab" featuring music from the last three Composers Lab. It will be distributed to all filmmakers at Sundance, as well as at the Music Café discussion on the 23rd and it is also available by request.
BMI will also host various events during the Sundance Film Festival. If you are attending Sundance please visit http://www.bmi.com/sundance2001 for updates. If you would like a copy of "Music Form The Sundance Composers Lab" and/or would like to be added to our invitation lists please email Hbolte@bmi.com.
BMI, founded in 1940, is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 250,000 songwriters, composer and music publishers in all genres of music. Some of the composers it represents include Elfman, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Stewart Copeland, Mychael Danna, Blanchard, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman and Mark Mancina. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements with sister organizations around the world, it grants businesses and media access to its repertoire of more than 4.5 million songs and compositions
For more information:
Hanna Bolte, BMI
310-289-6328; HBolte@bmi.com
Park City 1/18-23: 818-378-7497(cell) or 435-649-3210 (condo)