Tag Archives: Star Wars

John Williams Receives Lifetime Contribution to Hollywood Award

Renowned composer, Local 47 member John Williams was honored at the 2016 Made in Hollywood Honors event for his works including the locally scored "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

Renowned composer, Local 47 member John Williams was honored at the 2016 Made in Hollywood Honors event for his works including the locally scored “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

Made In Hollywood Honors event honors renowned composer for works including L.A.-scored ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Story & photos by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47

Entertainment industry VIPs, local union officials and political leaders celebrated this year’s Oscar-nominated films made here in California at the Made In Hollywood Honors Oscar event Feb. 4, 2016. Continue reading

STAR WARS: The Orchestra Awakens

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by Linda A. Rapka

IN A GALAXY NOT SO FAR, FAR AWAY….

For the first time in the epic film saga’s history, the music for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was scored here in Los Angeles with AFM Local 47 musicians.

Composer John Williams with guest conductor Gustavo Dudamel during one of the scoring sessions for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at Sony Studios. Photo courtesy Don Williams

Composer John Williams with guest conductor Gustavo Dudamel during one of the scoring sessions for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at Sony Studios. Photo courtesy Don Foster

John Williams, a Life Member of the musicians union, composed the music once again for this seventh installment in the “Star Wars” franchise. He has written the music for every film in the series since its 1977 debut, but while previous films were scored at Abbey Road with the London Symphony Orchestra, “The Force Awakens” marks the first time a “Star Wars” score was recorded stateside.

“This experience of working on the latest ‘Star Wars’ in Los Angeles is probably the most momentous of scoring occasions in our long history of recording,” said Bruce Dukov, a violinist who has recorded on over 1,800 motion pictures over the past 30 years. “The main reason is that for 38 years of that franchise, all the music was recorded in London. For us to be involved in this venture now is nothing less than fantastic, and worthy of major historic notation.”

READ THE FULL STORY @ LISTEN-LA.COM

January 2016 Overture Online: STAR WARS – The Orchestra Awakens

Overture Online
January 2016

Cover Story:
STAR WARS – The Orchestra Awakens


Features:

The Time Is NOW! Ballots Due Feb. 1
Updates on the Mail Referendum to authorize the sale of the Vine Street property

Musicians Demonstrate Against Exploitation
Legislators and dozens of labor community supporters call for fair treatment of musicians

Player Conference Updates
Reports from RMALA, ROPA & TMA SoCal

CD Spotlight
‘Songs of Hope’ by Karolina Naziemiec

The Good Dinosaur
Mychael and Jeff Danna score Pixar’s latest film

and more!
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Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. No smart device? View this issue on a web browser (must have flash enabled). Local 47 members may find archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.


Winter 2016 Overture Magazine
Local 47 members will have now received the print magazine in the mail. These print issues contain additional news not found in the public Overture Online, such as Resolutions to amend the bylaws, member status updates, and other announcements. If you are a member in good standing and didn’t receive your print copy, email us or view it online by logging in to your member account at afm47.org.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Score – In Review

For the first time in the film saga’s epic history, the music for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was scored here in Los Angeles with AFM Local 47 musicians. Dan Redfeld, AFM Local 47 member, classically trained composer, conductor, orchestrator and pianist, shares his review of the film’s score.

We’ve all been waiting to hear what the Maestro, composer John Williams, has fashioned. The reports of the sessions beginning in June and lasting until November have been plastered everywhere. What kind of things were we going to hear? Will the score feel like “Star Wars”? Are the themes catchy?

For me, the score is nothing short of miraculous and a testament to why Mr. Williams is the greatest American composer this country has produced since Bernstein or Copland. He’s 83 and shows no sign of resting on his laurels. The music is complex, thematically driven, impeccably orchestrated, passionate, sinister, heart-wrenching, beautiful. It’s definitely written in his later period style (which began surfacing in the ’90s): an intricate harmonic structure, the high xylophone/woodwind riffs during action sequences which make the music cut through sound design, detailed counterpoint and a sense of assuredness of a master craftsman operating in top form. Continue reading at listen-la.com

Check out Dan’s full film review of “The Force Awakens” here.

Next ‘Star Wars’ Film to Score in Los Angeles for the First Time in Franchise History

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LOS ANGELES, CA (MARCH 24, 2015) — The Force is with Los Angeles musicians: For the first time in the film saga’s history, the musical score to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be recorded in Los Angeles by members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.

Composer John Williams—himself a Life Member of Local 47—is currently at work writing the music for this seventh installment in the “Star Wars” franchise. Williams has composed the music for every film in the series since its 1977 debut. While previous films were scored at Abbey Road with the London Symphony Orchestra, “The Force Awakens” marks the first time a “Star Wars” score will be recorded in the United States. Continue reading