http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/11/disneys_frozen_gets_its_musica.html
This week’s topic of discussion is
dramatic scoring for moving. I found this article about a man named Metzger who
orchestrated music in Disney’s “Frozen, along with other films like “Lion
King.” One statement that spoke to me from the article is, “Arrangers are
almost invisible, and Metzger is particular low key.” Why is it that names of
specific musicians (usually instrumental musicians) seem to be taken for
granted? We talked a lot about how music is harder for the average person to
appreciate to a full extent. Music, unlike most arts, is not tangible. It is a
concept. The product of a musician is his or her performance. For the audience,
it is not something they can take home with them. It’s an experience. For
arrangers especially, they work behind the scenes for the people who will make
their music come to life. No one ever gives Mozart credit after they hear a brilliant
Mozart concerto being performed. They give the performer and product praise.
This
article also describes movie music’s process, specifically, Frozen’s music
process. Someone writes music for Metzger and he orchestrates and arranges.
Then, the music is shipped to LA where live musicians record a 500 page score
in a matter of five days. Arrangers like Metzger work many hours a day every
day of the week for about four to eight months at a time. He earns two to four
times his fee from royalties.
When I
think about film music, it’s not different from any type of music written to be
performed for a production of any sort. I am specifically thinking about music
arranged for marching band, but this goes for original plays also. Sure, there
are a few steps that are skipped in small productions, but the concept is
generally the same. The director hires or pays an arranger. When the music is
put together with a group, it is determined as satisfactory by the director. If
not, the process is repeated.
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ReplyDeleteThis is interesting! I thought I knew all there is to know about Frozen because I'm in love with the movie and the music. I knew Christophe Beck composed the score but not about Metzer. It's sad that the general public don't know much about who is behind the music to great films. Even in a movie musical, people couldn't tell you the names of the composers of the songs or orchestra scores, even though they could sing every word and hum every tune. But I am sure it is still an honor to be able to contribute to such blockbusters even though they don't get the recognition they deserve.
ReplyDelete-Mallory