That article makes me fucking hate Hollywood even more..

 

A great friend of mine managed to get a good deal to soundtrack an IP that blew up in the media landscape. The way he and his fellow composer were treated afterward, ugh. The cool thing is that it opened doors for him to do some more work and he's glad for it, but for me, the hassle is not worth the trouble to "make it in Hollywood".

HZ is like the Diddy, Rick Rubin, or DJ Khaled of the soundtrack world (just to name a few people off the top of my head). Gets other people to do the hard work, then reaps the benefits. Capitalism 101.

To be the Devil's Advocate, he's been around for quite a while in the music business before even getting to the soundtrack part of his CV. Personally, I think that the Dune soundtrack works for me precisely because of the different elements in the film (Middle Eastern wails, the "bagpipes" that remind me of some Moroccan music, and also the fact that yet another outsider, House Atreides, arrives on Arrakis with pomp and circumstance in a way no different than the previous occupiers, the Mongolian throat singing for the Sardukar, all that "Fourth World Music" (not the most politically correct term, these days) elements.

Benjamin Wallfisch did most of the heavy work in Blade Runner 2049 and also did Transcendence and Inception, but I could be wrong. I really wish Villeneuve kept Jóhann Jóhannsson for Blade Runner 2049, but the soundtrack is a musical extension of what the director and producers envision for the film, as @The Dude pointed out. I reckon Jóhannsson didn't fit their vision, which is sad because he was a frequent collaborator with Villeneuve, and sadly he passed away, so unless something happens, we might never get to listen to his version of that particular soundtrack.

Remember kids: it's not what you know, it's who you know and who you work with.

Anyway, I rant too much. Some food for thought. Fire up the BRAHMS machine, lads!

 

Last edited: Jan 21, 2023

I think the silly insinuations about my being jealous or hateful aren't supported by anything I've said. And are victim-blaming, at best :D I always thought that Teh Dude abides, not sobs and has a tantrum when someone can back up what they're saying!

 

Aaanyway. I'm certainly not jelly or hateful (!) of Hanz; if I were in his place it would be massively disappointing to be reduced and stifled into so limited a box. Having to fill 90 mins would be absolute hell, I am perfectly comfortable scoring quick and easy sync briefs, TVM! Also, Hanz not even being able to talk in tune is not something anyone would be envious of! I'd give all those (pointless) millions to charity, if anyone were stupid enough to give them to me. I've already got more than I need.

I have already said in this topic that I appreciate his talent; in filling so much time, so quickly and with so little. His mere output is considerable. My tone has shifted from massive disappointment (in seeing his name attached to a film I want to see) to mild annoyance that he has worsened as a producer (see Dune, one of the most malignant disasterpieces in his career). My opinion has gone from eye-rolling to cringe; my experience at watching a film is now worsened by Hanz, on the evidence of his last couple of scores. We don't get to opt out. Lots of his productions are absolutely, woefully jarring; don't even reflect what's happening, visually. At least the Driving Miss Daisy score is unintentionally hilarious. There's never been any suggestion that Hanz even enjoys (re)producing, which is the whole point, for me.

The problem (I have had to explain yet again) is that he has long been untrustworthy; and comes off as a cross between George Santos and Weinstein, in his dishonesty and exploitation of others. Who then get shit on by teh maestro, when they dare speak out (Klaus Badelt et al). Sometimes posthumously (in the disgraceful case of Shirley Walker). So many (admittedly most of them Von Steyradent alts =) people this topic have been persuaded that Hanz is generously "giving breaks" to small producers (like Elton John) rather than those (if you listen to the contempt of Lorne Balfe) who have to speak out after ("Mrrr Hanth Zzzimerrr") takes credit for their work.

Spoiler

Elton John, by the way, is still uncredited for his (aka the majority of) work done on the Lion King.

 

Huh. So that's why I thought Lion King was good?

 

It's more a meh than a sob...

You should spend sometime in LA... see how it works there...

The guardian article doesn't say anything about untrustworthy. Just states the rules for nomination. Untrustworthy, in my opinion, is a bad interpretation of yours. Thanks to you, "the contempt of Lorne Balfe" youtube thing has now 256 views in 4 years. I would expect something more serious - and if I may, the video is ridiculous! Can you back up the "just furniture thing"?

There are countless examples of excellent musicians playing bread and butter for famous people. They do the arrangements, others get the credit. HZ is not my favorite film composer. If you don't like the guy is totally fine with me! I really don't care if you don't!
He, being famous, is as relevant to me, as the Taylor Swifts and Billie Eilis's of this world - and other famously random people.

Not to you though...
"and comes off as a cross between George Santos and Weinstein, in his dishonesty and exploitation of others" - Well, not everyone shares your opinion.

I'm not in a business of insulting others. And I hate myself for doing it sometimes.
I find you a talented musician - you should concentrate your efforts into that! I'm pretty sure Lorne Balfe and others are able to defend themselves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorne_Balfe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Badelt

And, do yourself a favor, get subtitles and use the mute button next time you watch one of his movies...

That, my friend, is all I have to say to you in this matter!

 

Last edited: Jan 22, 2023

Hey I was around for “The Lion King”’s release and all the hype regarding the soundtrack was centered on Sir Elton, not Hans Zimmer.

@famouslut for someone who does not claim to hate him, you sure dedicate a lot of words and energy towards him. Just an observation. Of course, you are free to state your opinions.

My honest reaction when discussing art, music, writing, film, etc., and someone comes up with the argument “I can do a better job than X” usually is: Prove it. Show us. Back it up. Otherwise is just posturing and arguing without any solid evidence or counter. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes I stand corrected and learn from it. Sometimes I don’t.

Then again, this is the Internet, where there is much ado about nothing and homophobes are up in arms because Pink Floyd is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dark Side Of The Moon because of the rainbow prism on the original cover and this edition’s artwork. Come Armageddon, come.

Carry on!

 

Last edited: Jan 21, 2023

The Dark Zebra by U-He and some Spitfire Kontakt libraries. Go on!

 

I use them. And my tracks sound like composed by Hans Shimmer...

 

U-JAM! STRIIIIIIINGS and BRAAAAASS. Both of which, dare I say, are kinda cool. And they do make you Hans.

 

forgot about those. doesn't he run UJAM?

 

Does he?? Huh...

 

yes with Pharell .. if I'm not mistaken

 

Just out of curiosity - In Blade Runner 2049 - they have never seen a tree before! Pianos are a rarity. Metal is basically what you see in the movie. There is a lot of desert and concrete in Dune (2021). In both of them, nature (green) is the exception. Both Sci-Fi.
Most instruments are made of wood - bass, guitar, piano, violin, cello, drums, etc.

Which sounds or instruments would you guys choose to represent those kind of scenarios?
Instruments made of metal (cold), synth strings? What else?

 

Last edited: Jan 22, 2023

Which sounds or instruments would you guys choose to represent those kind of scenarios?

Nobody?...well, that sucks...
That's how easy can criticism sometimes be...

The Sound of DUNE with Director Denis Villeneuve and Sound Team - Featurette

Don't worry, HZ is not in it!

 

Last edited: Jan 30, 2023

I would have used Delay Lama.vst

 

Lol i see this is an old thread but im still gonna comment.

first off zimmer does have melody but zimmer plays with time just because his melodic lines dont run in 16th notes doesn’t mean he isn’t melodic he just doesn’t sound like 16th/17th century composers...which is good. we have that we have tons of that. further more that doesn’t take away from his harmony and the genius that he brings to his story telling thru his sound.

the inception soundtrack is a good exaxple of his time manipulation, and how it serves the movie hes working on.

second Hans is a collabrator and teacher.

his students are harry gregson williams, trevor morris, and junkie XL to name a few.

his collabrations are what make him great. using the musicans he uses to make his themes breathe and invoke emotions. the simple 4 bar 4 chord progression can make you feel things and thats because of his vision of using the muscian voices.
something that hasnt really been done before in film.

for example using tina as his cellist brings a diffrent life,sound and meaning to his cello lines then just using a first chair for those parts,thats the brand thats what he brings to the table, and thats how he changed the music industy and sits where he sits today.

Hans has built a place for others to grow and has moderenize film music. without him many of us wouldnt even have a chance to compose or woudlnt be intrested in media music.

 

Last edited: Nov 6, 2023

those are fair points. I sometimes think these arguments are like.... arguing whether a Ferrari or a Porsche is better, while I drive a Hyundai. like fun to argue whether Hans is trash compared to like John Williams or whatever, end of the day he is wildly successful.

 

i agree, we could argue that john williams isnt that good either, almost all of his themes are the same. and are stolen from the golden era of hollywood fim, but thats ridiculous to say, of course john is a genius and master orchestrator, and again wildly successful

 

I'm just here for the comments...