World Soundtrack Awards 2008 (Marianelli & Badalamenti)

Well, an unexpected duo for sure.

Looking forward to what the other concert will be.

Marianelli and Badalamenti....two names that roll of the tongue easily. Sounds pretty cool in tandem!

Well, Jarre 'shouted' he had to to come this year. I hope this will be the main concert, usually the evening before WSA.

what do you mean 'last year was a joke' ?

90% of people there weren't even film music fans, they were just invited by the sponsors. Then after the awards, they kicked all the fans out and let these ''invitees'' go have a drink with the composers.

Someone from the organisation has let me know that suggestions are welcome. That means they are working on that.

It's the 35th Filmfestival of Flanders, so I expect the whole 10 days to be bigger than usual. "plenty of film music concerts" is in the press release. Could be surprisingly exciting!

If the SONCINEMAD doesn't happen this may be worth considering?

Shouldn't we be getting our asses in gear mailbombing them with suggestions then???
Some of the stories I read about last year had my blood pressure up till vesselbursing point.
I'll be ecstatic spamming the director of PR and orgaization...just one small hitch: I haven't actually been last year, and to be honest am not planning to go this year, so I'll have to take my cue from those of you that will go... but unless -I feel- we make a unified strong statement NOW, this is the way it'll go down in future events: the sponsors ARE more important than fans!

As far as the SONCINEMAD was concerned, after the concerts the composers tended to retire away to "wind down" after the excertions of the concert. Attendees of the festival itself were okay with this because either they had already been able to approach them at signing sessions earlier in the festival or there were upcoming signing sessions.

The informal feel to the meeting meant that it was possible to mingle with the composers between talks, at their hotel, etc.

However, people who did not attend the festival itself would have only the concert to get a chance to have something signed. I seem to remember that Alan Silvestri had a bad experience after his concert because there were people who were expecting him to sign things after his concert. And they were not too pleased when he did not sign anything.

I think that it is difficult to expect a composer to spend time signing lots and lots of covers, etc immediately after having conducted an orchestra for 90 minutes. It's really exhausting and they should be allowed to recover.

I don't feel so myself. But then again, while you guys had your tickets for free, including an interview with a composer, my ticket was not even delivered while I were paying full price! And they wanted me to do something about it (though ultimately they arranged it nicely, but you don't feel entirely at ease untill you get it, which was last year right before the concert).

And then, during the events, there weren't even drinks served, nor were there any snacks whatsoever! I really was thirsty! It was due to me hiring a room for two nights (last year because of the other concert, but this year? Do I really need to pay double just for my chance to meet a composer?) to be able to attend the press conference early in the morning. Now, in that context, you know and are able to understand why they have an exclusive party, but you just don't think it's fair. They should've compensated it with at least a (free) drink for everyone during the intermission.

And I already mailed my concerns last year, but I feel tempted to do so again, stating that I want certain things changed, or otherwise I won't attend anymore (which I will do so, of course, since, y'know, these kind of concerts itself just rock anyway ).

But, in short, no, I don't think I overreacted

Hehe, my rant of course wasn't directed at you, Bregt, though it might seem that way

As an intro to the 35th Filmfestival of Ghent in October, there'll be a free film music concert on July 21 (Belgium National Day) at the Gentse Feesten (10 days of Festivities in Ghent).

Dirk Brossé is conducting the Flemish Radio Orchestra and Brussels Philharmonic, bringing music from The Generals (Jerry Goldsmith), Shrek (Harry Gregson-Williams), Ice Age (John Powell), Daens (Dirk Brossé), The Bone Collector (Craig Armstrong), World Trade Center (Craig Armstrong), Love Actually (Craig Armstrong), Shakespeare in Love (Stephen Warbeck), Pan Tadeusz (Wojciech Kilar), Little Miss Sunshine (Mychael Danna), Being Julia (Mychael Danna), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (John Powell), La Vita e bella (Nicola Piovani), Harry Potter (John Williams), Casino Royale (David Arnold) en Indiana Jones (John Williams).


Sweet! Most of the selections I already heard, but it'll be cool to see and hear how it sounds in an other environment, in the middle of Ghent, between two cathedrals.

But this is not during the Festival.

It's on July 21, as part of the Ghent Festivities, and organized by the Filmfestival as a celebration of their 35 years anniversary.

But they will announce more concerts. There'll be defenitely a couple more during the Festival itself in October. Still hoping for Desplat! (Remember Jarre. )

'Composers want their seperate time'... Well personally I think that's a load of bull!
Don't get me wrong, I am the kind of person who understands well what time alone and without any people around you can do, especially after something that takes a lot of energy, but come on:

How many days a year does a film music composer give a concert?
How often are they haunted by fans?

If you know you are attending a film music festival you know there will be fans. Just buckle up for a couple of crazy days and relax on the plane back home. Or after the time with fans after the concert. (Not everyone is there all day, some people come for the concert only).

Another thing that composers seem to enjoy about these festivals (and I read something similar this week with an artist who is going to perform in a huge Dutch music festival this weekend) is spending time with colleagues, other composers who they normally wouldn't meet. I understand that, but if they make time for that as well, then why not give people who come to attend the concert an hour after the concert. I really don't understand... I'm starting to wonder if the concert itself is not only for their own entertainment, why not skip the whole audience and let composers jam around a bit and have fun without any fans at all...


And indeed Bob, my ticket was double booked... that lady was so lucky there were two seats left in the end at about the same row...

And from the first year on I was there I have been completely astounded there are no drinks. It is a concert hall for god's sake. In fact I don't think I know any concert hall that has no bar or something similar... there is just, nothing!

I felt really weird leaving the concert with a hungry and thirsty feeling, walking by the hall where the buffet was... for invited people only.

You know what? If we go this year, we'll bring crates of beer ourselves, alright?
I wonder if they will kick us out for that too...