(Cinemusic interview continued)

I began the songs for “Princess and the Pea” nearly 5 years ago. The songs were written over about a 5 month time frame. Each song was written after discussion with the director and producer as to the songs usage in the film. Each song had to further the plot and develop the characters while not slowing down the storyline. Each song was storyboarded after being written. The songs were then recorded with full orchestra and the singers so that the animators could animate to the final music track. Then nearly 3 years past as the animators finished the film. When the entire movie was finished and then edited together, I began writing the underscore for the film. I had about 6 weeks to write and record the score which comprised about 55 minutes of the film. The songs totalled about 25 minutes. The film came in at 85 minutes with more than 80 minutes of total music. Start to finish, all most 5 years from the first song to the last note of underscore! I am very proud of all of the songs. I had no real prior experience with musical theatre. These songs are very much in that genre. The songs are very tuneful and needed to be as memorable as possible. To that end I am proud of the final product. If I must chose one, “My Kingdom of the Heart” would be it. This song was the first one I wrote for the film. As with all of the songs, the music came first. Then David added his clever lyrics. “Kingdom of the Heart” became the main theme for the film. As you know, there is a reprise of the song which is a duet in the film. It’s really a lovely moment as the two main characters long to be together. Each believes the other is lost so as they sing together they are physically apart. It works very well. At the end of the film, the tune becomes the emotional payoff as the true princess and prince are married. Then there is the pop version of the song for the end credits. Brass was a big part of the score. The story called for lots of regal action. Brass fits the bill. Thematically, the score was structured with themes for Daria (the princess), Rollo (the prince), Hildegard (Laird’s daughter) and Laird (the villain). Sebastian (the raven) also had an additional thematic element besides his song. There were some other secondary themes but they were more for elements such as kingdoms, etc. Structurally, the themes were introduced and developed as the characters were in the story. There was a great moment towards the end of the film where Laird and his daughter Hildegard are conspiring against Rollo, the prince and both Laird’s theme and Hildegard’s theme are play at the same time to form a very unique, yet perfectly-fit counterpoint. As far as the rest of the structure, there was a lot of action in the film. So I used fragments and then fully developed themes for the characters as the action unfolded. This score became very operatic in nature with respect to the themes and characters.

Is it getting a general release soon?

As far as the release of the film, yes it will have a wider release. I’m not sure of the exact plans but it will be released this year.

What is next for you?

Currently, I am starting a feature called “Where Rivers Meet” which is a wonderful film. It is a period piece along the lines of “A River Runs Through It”. Then I start “Secret Santa” a Christmas movie for NBC which will air during the Holiday season. The musical approach for this film is basically Americana. It will be a combination of orchestral and featured guitars, woodwinds and fiddle. The scope of the music ranges from small, intimate scoring to large epic moments. It is going to be a very melodic score. Presently, I don’t see any use of vocals in this score but that could always change.

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