The winners of the 13th annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards were revealed Sunday night at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles.
Anton Monsted won best music supervision for a film budgeted over $25 million for Elvis, while Lauren Marie Mikus and Bruce Gilbert won the award for a film budgeted $25 million or under for Everything Everywhere All at Once. The latter film also won best song written and/or record for a film for “This Is a Life.” Rob Lowry took home two awards for his work on Cha Cha Real Smooth and Do Revenge.
On the television side, Nora Felder won for best music supervision for a television drama for the fourth season of Stranger Things, while Kier Lehman won in the comedy/musical category for Insecure season five. “Perfect Day” from Better Call Saul season six won best song written and/or recorded for TV.
At the awards ceremony,...
Anton Monsted won best music supervision for a film budgeted over $25 million for Elvis, while Lauren Marie Mikus and Bruce Gilbert won the award for a film budgeted $25 million or under for Everything Everywhere All at Once. The latter film also won best song written and/or record for a film for “This Is a Life.” Rob Lowry took home two awards for his work on Cha Cha Real Smooth and Do Revenge.
On the television side, Nora Felder won for best music supervision for a television drama for the fourth season of Stranger Things, while Kier Lehman won in the comedy/musical category for Insecure season five. “Perfect Day” from Better Call Saul season six won best song written and/or recorded for TV.
At the awards ceremony,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Elvis lead the nominees for the 2023 Music Supervisors Guild Awards.
Each film earned three nominations in the same categories: best music supervision for film budgeted over 25 million, best song written and/or recorded for a film and best music supervision in a trailer – film.
Artists who contributed to the Black Panther sequel and Elvis movie soundtrack, Rihanna and Doja Cat, were also nominated for awards this year, as were performers and songwriters Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Diana Ross and David Byrne.
High-profile films and TV shows that earned two nominations apiece include A Jazzman’s Blues, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Atlanta, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Better Call Saul, Stranger Things, P-Valley and The Afterparty.
The winners in categories spanning film, TV, video games, advertising and trailers will be revealed at an in-person and...
Each film earned three nominations in the same categories: best music supervision for film budgeted over 25 million, best song written and/or recorded for a film and best music supervision in a trailer – film.
Artists who contributed to the Black Panther sequel and Elvis movie soundtrack, Rihanna and Doja Cat, were also nominated for awards this year, as were performers and songwriters Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Diana Ross and David Byrne.
High-profile films and TV shows that earned two nominations apiece include A Jazzman’s Blues, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Atlanta, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Better Call Saul, Stranger Things, P-Valley and The Afterparty.
The winners in categories spanning film, TV, video games, advertising and trailers will be revealed at an in-person and...
- 1/23/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The incredible true story of rap icon Snoop Dogg is headed to the big screen, with serious pedigree attached.
An untitled, definitive biopic about the multi-hyphenate is underway at Universal Pictures. Set to direct is Allen Hughes, who made the classic “Menace II Society,” “The Defiant Ones” and “Dead Presidents.” The project will feature Snoop’s expansive music catalogue and also mark the first production from his content label Death Row Pictures. Joe Robert Cole, co-writer of both “Black Panther” scripts, will handle the screenplay.
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” Dogg said in a statement. “It was the perfect marriage. It was holy matrimony,...
An untitled, definitive biopic about the multi-hyphenate is underway at Universal Pictures. Set to direct is Allen Hughes, who made the classic “Menace II Society,” “The Defiant Ones” and “Dead Presidents.” The project will feature Snoop’s expansive music catalogue and also mark the first production from his content label Death Row Pictures. Joe Robert Cole, co-writer of both “Black Panther” scripts, will handle the screenplay.
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” Dogg said in a statement. “It was the perfect marriage. It was holy matrimony,...
- 11/9/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Incorporating music from his vast catalogue, Universal Pictures is developing the definitive biopic of entertainment industry mogul and icon of gangsta rap, “Snoop Dogg,” which will mark the first film from Snoop Dogg’s’s Death Row Pictures, the studio announced Wednesday.
Joe Robert Cole (the “Black Panther” films) will write the screenplay. Allen Hughes (“Menace to Society”) is attached to direct.
Snoop Dogg will produce with Sara Ramaker for their Death Row Pictures, alongside Hughes.
Also Read:
Winston Duke Joins Universal’s ‘The Fall Guy’
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement to TheWrap. “It was the perfect marriage.
Joe Robert Cole (the “Black Panther” films) will write the screenplay. Allen Hughes (“Menace to Society”) is attached to direct.
Snoop Dogg will produce with Sara Ramaker for their Death Row Pictures, alongside Hughes.
Also Read:
Winston Duke Joins Universal’s ‘The Fall Guy’
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement to TheWrap. “It was the perfect marriage.
- 11/9/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Universal has enlisted Black Panther: Wakanda Forever co-writer Joe Robert Cole and director Allen Hughes, who with his brother Albert directed movies such as Menace II Society and Dead Presidents, to tackle a definitive biopic of iconic rapper and entertainment mogul Snoop Dogg.
Snoop is heavily involved with the project announced Wednesday, which will incorporate music from his past catalog. He is also producing the feature along with Sara Ramaker and Hughes. The project will mark the inaugural film from Snoop’s Death Row Pictures, which he runs with Ramaker.
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” said Snoop in a statement.
Universal has enlisted Black Panther: Wakanda Forever co-writer Joe Robert Cole and director Allen Hughes, who with his brother Albert directed movies such as Menace II Society and Dead Presidents, to tackle a definitive biopic of iconic rapper and entertainment mogul Snoop Dogg.
Snoop is heavily involved with the project announced Wednesday, which will incorporate music from his past catalog. He is also producing the feature along with Sara Ramaker and Hughes. The project will mark the inaugural film from Snoop’s Death Row Pictures, which he runs with Ramaker.
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” said Snoop in a statement.
- 11/9/2022
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Allen Hughes to direct from screenplay by Joe Robert Cole.
In its latest foray into music biopics, Universal Pictures is partnering with Snoop Dogg on a feature to be produced with the iconic rapper’s newly formed Death Row Pictures.
Allen Hughes, whose credits include Menace II Society and the FX Tupac Shakur docuseries Dear Mama which premiered in TIFF’s Primetime sidebar, will direct from a screenplay by Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole.
Snoop and Sara Ramaker will serve as producers on the first project for Death Row Pictures, alongside Hughes. The biopic will feature music from Dogg’s storied catalogue.
In its latest foray into music biopics, Universal Pictures is partnering with Snoop Dogg on a feature to be produced with the iconic rapper’s newly formed Death Row Pictures.
Allen Hughes, whose credits include Menace II Society and the FX Tupac Shakur docuseries Dear Mama which premiered in TIFF’s Primetime sidebar, will direct from a screenplay by Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole.
Snoop and Sara Ramaker will serve as producers on the first project for Death Row Pictures, alongside Hughes. The biopic will feature music from Dogg’s storied catalogue.
- 11/9/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Grand Finale of “American Song Contest” will air Monday, May 9 on NBC, with Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson serving as hosts and executive producers. Unlike all previous weeks, this time around the voting is opening 24 hours in advance in order to give people in all time zones adequate time to vote for their favorites. The participant who receives the most support from America will be awarded the title of Best Original Song at the end of Monday’s two-hour finale. If you’re curious how to vote for the “American Song Contest” finale, you’ve come to the right place.
Fans can vote for their favorite performers Right Now by visiting the website directly, or by using the NBC App or TikTok. Voting for the Grand Final closes at the end of Monday’s show on the East Coast. You can vote up to 10 times per artist.
TikTok is...
Fans can vote for their favorite performers Right Now by visiting the website directly, or by using the NBC App or TikTok. Voting for the Grand Final closes at the end of Monday’s show on the East Coast. You can vote up to 10 times per artist.
TikTok is...
- 5/8/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Music composition for film and television has long been considered a notoriously homogenous field, exacerbated by the relative lack of data keeping track of gender and racial inclusion among composers. To address the void, NBCUniversal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion group partnered with Universal Global Film Music (led by president Mike Knobloch) in 2018 to create the Universal Composers Initiative, a development program for composers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Originally conceived as a one-year program, the initiative quickly expanded to two years in order to give its participants more exposure to opportunities across NBCU (ViacomCBS recently did the same with ...
Originally conceived as a one-year program, the initiative quickly expanded to two years in order to give its participants more exposure to opportunities across NBCU (ViacomCBS recently did the same with ...
- 8/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Music composition for film and television has long been considered a notoriously homogenous field, exacerbated by the relative lack of data keeping track of gender and racial inclusion among composers. To address the void, NBCUniversal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion group partnered with Universal Global Film Music (led by president Mike Knobloch) in 2018 to create the Universal Composers Initiative, a development program for composers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Originally conceived as a one-year program, the initiative quickly expanded to two years in order to give its participants more exposure to opportunities across NBCU (ViacomCBS recently did the same with ...
Originally conceived as a one-year program, the initiative quickly expanded to two years in order to give its participants more exposure to opportunities across NBCU (ViacomCBS recently did the same with ...
- 8/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
If anyone can provide insight into the massive success of the music behind the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, it’s Mike Knobloch, president of global film music and publishing at Universal Pictures.
Highlights from the Grammy-nominated music supervisor and producer’s career includes four of the top nine highest-grossing films of all time, including “Avatar,” “Titanic,” “Jurassic World” and “Furious 7.” The latter featured “See You Again,” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, and continues to break records. Just this past May, the song reached over 5 billion streaming views on YouTube.
On Friday, “F9” will be released. Ahead of that, Knobloch talks with Variety about the formula behind the franchise’s music and its soundtracks, as well as how he navigated “F9’s” delay due to the pandemic. He also talks about the new soundtrack featuring Ty Dollar $ign and Annita.
Ever since the first soundtrack, the music of...
Highlights from the Grammy-nominated music supervisor and producer’s career includes four of the top nine highest-grossing films of all time, including “Avatar,” “Titanic,” “Jurassic World” and “Furious 7.” The latter featured “See You Again,” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, and continues to break records. Just this past May, the song reached over 5 billion streaming views on YouTube.
On Friday, “F9” will be released. Ahead of that, Knobloch talks with Variety about the formula behind the franchise’s music and its soundtracks, as well as how he navigated “F9’s” delay due to the pandemic. He also talks about the new soundtrack featuring Ty Dollar $ign and Annita.
Ever since the first soundtrack, the music of...
- 6/22/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Rodney Jerkins, whose credits include songs by Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé, is no stranger to working with nervous artists in the studio. But having actress Tracee Ellis Ross in the vocal booth presented a different kind of challenge.
“Any artist would feel intimidated when you’re Diana Ross’ daughter,” says Jerkins, executive music producer of “The High Note.” “The role of Grace Davis in the movie is this big, iconic, legendary singer, so there’s pros and cons with that. On one hand — you grew up with that so you would know exactly what that needs to look like. The other part of it, is it’s a lot of pressure. My job was to make her as comfortable as possible.“
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the film co-starring Dakota Johnson and Ice Cube is headed to video-on-demand on May 29. Jerkins...
“Any artist would feel intimidated when you’re Diana Ross’ daughter,” says Jerkins, executive music producer of “The High Note.” “The role of Grace Davis in the movie is this big, iconic, legendary singer, so there’s pros and cons with that. On one hand — you grew up with that so you would know exactly what that needs to look like. The other part of it, is it’s a lot of pressure. My job was to make her as comfortable as possible.“
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the film co-starring Dakota Johnson and Ice Cube is headed to video-on-demand on May 29. Jerkins...
- 5/26/2020
- by Jeff Vasishta
- Variety Film + TV
For the animated musical “Trolls World Tour,” DreamWorks producer Gina Shay racked up her share of frequent flyer miles over four years — traveling to New York City for reggaeton superstar J Balvin, South Korea for K-Pop girl group Red Velvet and Stockholm for star and music curator Justin Timberlake. “It felt like I was going around the world collecting people’s voices,” she says.
Singing voices, that is. Nearly 40 tunes are woven into the fabric of the film, which tells the tale of hard rock royals trying to overtake competing genres including pop, country, funk, classical and techno. “Different tribes of trolls celebrating different genres of music,” says Universal’s head of film music Mike Knobloch.
Adds Shay: “We wanted people to come together and telling that story through musical genres seemed like a clever way of doing it without feeling preachy.”
That’s no small feat when it comes to using popular songs.
Singing voices, that is. Nearly 40 tunes are woven into the fabric of the film, which tells the tale of hard rock royals trying to overtake competing genres including pop, country, funk, classical and techno. “Different tribes of trolls celebrating different genres of music,” says Universal’s head of film music Mike Knobloch.
Adds Shay: “We wanted people to come together and telling that story through musical genres seemed like a clever way of doing it without feeling preachy.”
That’s no small feat when it comes to using popular songs.
- 4/9/2020
- by James Patrick Herman
- Variety Film + TV
For most of the music industry, awards season ended when the Grammys came to a close the night of Jan. 26. That wasn’t the case, though, for Interscope Records, which moved on to the Oscars with just as vested an interest in domination. Just two weeks after Billie Eilish swept all four top Grammy categories, the company managed to keep just as high a profile at Sunday night’s film awards.
With a best original song win for Elton John’s “I’m Gonna Love Me Again,” Interscope can now claim a triumph in that category for the third time in four years, following the triumph of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow” in 2019 and “City of Stars” from “La La Land” in 2017.
Altogether, Interscope songs or artists have claimed the original song trophy five times in the last 18 years, and had 12 nominations during that time, far more than than any label.
With a best original song win for Elton John’s “I’m Gonna Love Me Again,” Interscope can now claim a triumph in that category for the third time in four years, following the triumph of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow” in 2019 and “City of Stars” from “La La Land” in 2017.
Altogether, Interscope songs or artists have claimed the original song trophy five times in the last 18 years, and had 12 nominations during that time, far more than than any label.
- 2/11/2020
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir continued her winning streak, claiming top honors for both her “Joker” and “Chernobyl” scores at Tuesday night’s inaugural awards of the Society of Composers & Lyricists at Los Angeles’ Skirball Cultural Center.
Her music for “Joker” was named outstanding original score for a studio film and her score for HBO’s “Chernobyl” was cited as outstanding original score for a television or streaming production. They followed her Golden Globe win Sunday night for “Joker” and BAFTA nomination earlier Tuesday. She won the Emmy in September for her score to the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl.”
Guðnadóttir is among the most talked-about newcomers in film music, first for her “Chernobyl” score (built largely on sounds she recorded while visiting the nuclear power plant where it was shot) and more recently her “Joker” music (her electro-acoustic cello providing the accompaniment for star Joaquin Phoenix’s on-screen dancing). She...
Her music for “Joker” was named outstanding original score for a studio film and her score for HBO’s “Chernobyl” was cited as outstanding original score for a television or streaming production. They followed her Golden Globe win Sunday night for “Joker” and BAFTA nomination earlier Tuesday. She won the Emmy in September for her score to the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl.”
Guðnadóttir is among the most talked-about newcomers in film music, first for her “Chernobyl” score (built largely on sounds she recorded while visiting the nuclear power plant where it was shot) and more recently her “Joker” music (her electro-acoustic cello providing the accompaniment for star Joaquin Phoenix’s on-screen dancing). She...
- 1/8/2020
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
From savvy needle drops to actual movie-musical numbers, the movies went pop in a big way in 2019. Well chosen songs provided their respective films with an extra dose of earnest emotion but also served as the less savory soundtrack for stripping (“Hustlers”), murder (“Us”) and even Naziism (“Jojo Rabbit”). There was no shortage of brilliant instrumental scores, too, of course. But here are 15 moments when songwriters or music supervisors — and the directors they collaborate with — stepped up with choices that moved and amused us.
Home invasion victims accidentally dial up N.W.A in “Us”
In Jordan Peele’s horror/satire, there’s a fictional voice recognition app called Ophelia that would be ripe for a lawsuit, if civilization somehow survives the doppelganger revolution. Because as the Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker characters are about to meet their violent ends, a demand to “call the police” ends up being heard as a request for N.
Home invasion victims accidentally dial up N.W.A in “Us”
In Jordan Peele’s horror/satire, there’s a fictional voice recognition app called Ophelia that would be ripe for a lawsuit, if civilization somehow survives the doppelganger revolution. Because as the Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker characters are about to meet their violent ends, a demand to “call the police” ends up being heard as a request for N.
- 12/31/2019
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Halloween is only days away, and what better way to celebrate than with a classic monster movie that’s been fully restored and whose original score has, 84 years later, finally been issued as a soundtrack album?
Universal screened its 1935 “Bride of Frankenstein” Monday night to an appreciative audience on the studio lot, following a reception to celebrate the first release of the movie’s Franz Waxman score, part of the Universal Pictures Heritage Collection series.
“Bride” was the first original score composed in Hollywood by Waxman, a later Oscar winner for the music of “Sunset Boulevard” and “A Place in the Sun.” Its release as an album on La-La Land Records is part of the studio’s drive to restore many of its classic musical assets, making them available commercially as well as for licensing.
Alexia Baum, director of music publishing for the studio, explained that the Heritage Collection began...
Universal screened its 1935 “Bride of Frankenstein” Monday night to an appreciative audience on the studio lot, following a reception to celebrate the first release of the movie’s Franz Waxman score, part of the Universal Pictures Heritage Collection series.
“Bride” was the first original score composed in Hollywood by Waxman, a later Oscar winner for the music of “Sunset Boulevard” and “A Place in the Sun.” Its release as an album on La-La Land Records is part of the studio’s drive to restore many of its classic musical assets, making them available commercially as well as for licensing.
Alexia Baum, director of music publishing for the studio, explained that the Heritage Collection began...
- 10/22/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
[Editors’ note: The following post contains spoilers for “Us.”]
Most “Us” fans can’t stop talking about or listening to the cover of Luniz’s “I Got 5 on It,” which was featured in the movie’s official trailer and plays an integral role during the film’s climax, but that’s not the only song writer-director Jordan Peele ingeniously features in his latest horror movie. The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” is played during the murders of Kitty (Elisabeth Moss) and Josh (Tim Heidecker), and Universal Pictures film music president Mike Knobloch confirmed to Variety that’s the only song Peele ever considered for the moment.
“Jordan is very smart and savvy about music and knows exactly what he wants,” Knobloch said. “From very early on when he wrote the script and going back to the earliest days of the production, I cannot remember a time when ‘Good Vibrations’ was not the song that was going to go in that sequence.
Most “Us” fans can’t stop talking about or listening to the cover of Luniz’s “I Got 5 on It,” which was featured in the movie’s official trailer and plays an integral role during the film’s climax, but that’s not the only song writer-director Jordan Peele ingeniously features in his latest horror movie. The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” is played during the murders of Kitty (Elisabeth Moss) and Josh (Tim Heidecker), and Universal Pictures film music president Mike Knobloch confirmed to Variety that’s the only song Peele ever considered for the moment.
“Jordan is very smart and savvy about music and knows exactly what he wants,” Knobloch said. “From very early on when he wrote the script and going back to the earliest days of the production, I cannot remember a time when ‘Good Vibrations’ was not the song that was going to go in that sequence.
- 3/25/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
If there were an award for music supervisor of the year, Jordan Peele himself would already strongly be in the running. The filmmaker took on the role himself for his new horror-thriller, “Us,” although there’s no such credit in the end titles, since the writer-director-producer didn’t necessarily need to become any more of a multi-hyphenate than he already is. If, in years or decades to come, you can’t listen to a certain Beach Boys song without flinching, or a particular N.W.A number without laughing, Peele is the man to credit or blame.
[Spoiler alert: While the following article doesn’t get deep into plot points, discussing music choices does involve revealing a couple of the movie’s best jokes, so if you’re especially averse to humor spoilers, wait until you’ve seen “Us” to read further .]
“Us” makes prominent use of the mid-‘90s hip-hop hit “I Got 5 On It” — as heard in the trailer — in both song form and an eerie instrumental score reprise, as well as key cuts from the present and distant past by Janelle Monae and Minnie Riperton. But the choices that are going to...
[Spoiler alert: While the following article doesn’t get deep into plot points, discussing music choices does involve revealing a couple of the movie’s best jokes, so if you’re especially averse to humor spoilers, wait until you’ve seen “Us” to read further .]
“Us” makes prominent use of the mid-‘90s hip-hop hit “I Got 5 On It” — as heard in the trailer — in both song form and an eerie instrumental score reprise, as well as key cuts from the present and distant past by Janelle Monae and Minnie Riperton. But the choices that are going to...
- 3/25/2019
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Tony Sokol Dec 3, 2018
Mamma mia, Universal is making a new movie with the sounds of Prince, but it won't tell his life story.
Universal Pictures is developing an original film musical inspired by the music of Prince, according to Variety. Universal Chairman Donna Langley said the film studio worked aggressively nab the rights to classic songs from the artist’s catalog.
Further reading: The Dark History of Prince’s Black Album
The upcoming Prince movie will not be a biopic but an original story with the songs driving the narrative, like Universal’s use of Abba songs in Mamma Mia. The news comes months after the Mamma Mia sequel pulled in $400 million worldwide. This year saw the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody becoming the biggest music biopic of all time, pulling in $534 million. Bradley Cooper’s A Star is Born remake, which starred Lady Gaga, earned more than $350 million at the box office.
Mamma mia, Universal is making a new movie with the sounds of Prince, but it won't tell his life story.
Universal Pictures is developing an original film musical inspired by the music of Prince, according to Variety. Universal Chairman Donna Langley said the film studio worked aggressively nab the rights to classic songs from the artist’s catalog.
Further reading: The Dark History of Prince’s Black Album
The upcoming Prince movie will not be a biopic but an original story with the songs driving the narrative, like Universal’s use of Abba songs in Mamma Mia. The news comes months after the Mamma Mia sequel pulled in $400 million worldwide. This year saw the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody becoming the biggest music biopic of all time, pulling in $534 million. Bradley Cooper’s A Star is Born remake, which starred Lady Gaga, earned more than $350 million at the box office.
- 12/3/2018
- Den of Geek
Universal Pictures on Monday said that the studio is working on a film based on the music of Prince.
The studio said that it has acquired the rights to a number of songs from Prince’s catalog and is developing an original movie musical inspired by his music.
The film isn’t a Prince biopic, but will instead use the artist’s music to drive a fictional narrative, a la “Mamma Mia!” or “Across the Universe.”
Also Read: Ava DuVernay to Direct Prince Documentary for Netflix
Prince, who died April 21, 2016, is also the subject of a multi-part documentary for Netflix. The documentary series, directed by Ava DuVernay, will cover the late pop star’s entire life and is being made with the full cooperation of his estate, which will provide archival footage and photos and interviews.
Prince left an indelible mark on music and culture. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide,...
The studio said that it has acquired the rights to a number of songs from Prince’s catalog and is developing an original movie musical inspired by his music.
The film isn’t a Prince biopic, but will instead use the artist’s music to drive a fictional narrative, a la “Mamma Mia!” or “Across the Universe.”
Also Read: Ava DuVernay to Direct Prince Documentary for Netflix
Prince, who died April 21, 2016, is also the subject of a multi-part documentary for Netflix. The documentary series, directed by Ava DuVernay, will cover the late pop star’s entire life and is being made with the full cooperation of his estate, which will provide archival footage and photos and interviews.
Prince left an indelible mark on music and culture. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide,...
- 12/3/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to a number of classic songs from Prince’s catalog and is developing an original film musical inspired by his music, using the songs to drive a fictional narrative.
Insiders stress is that the film is not a biopic but an original story with Prince’s classic songs driving the plotline. The Prince estate has been inquiring with studios about such a film, and Universal Chairman Donna Langley worked aggressively to acquire the rights.
Sources close to the situation say the estate and Universal already felt that the biopic angle had largely been covered by Prince’s 1984 star-making film “Purple Rain” and wanted to do something original and outside the box. Meetings have begun with potential writers and producers and execs are hoping the film can be something like Universal’s “Mamma Mia,” with a completely original story where Prince’s music helps drive that narrative.
Insiders stress is that the film is not a biopic but an original story with Prince’s classic songs driving the plotline. The Prince estate has been inquiring with studios about such a film, and Universal Chairman Donna Langley worked aggressively to acquire the rights.
Sources close to the situation say the estate and Universal already felt that the biopic angle had largely been covered by Prince’s 1984 star-making film “Purple Rain” and wanted to do something original and outside the box. Meetings have begun with potential writers and producers and execs are hoping the film can be something like Universal’s “Mamma Mia,” with a completely original story where Prince’s music helps drive that narrative.
- 12/3/2018
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Universal Pictures has picked up the rights to a number of classic songs from the late artist Prince’s catalog and is developing an original film musical inspired by his prolific musical output.
But don't expect the fictional narrative to be a Prince biopic like the 1984 film Purple Rain, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Instead, like the Abba music that inspired the Mamma Mia! movie franchise, Universal is looking to develop an original film that uses Prince songs as signposts.
Mike Knobloch, president of global film music and publishing for Universal Pictures, will shepherd the untitled Prince project for the studio, with ...
But don't expect the fictional narrative to be a Prince biopic like the 1984 film Purple Rain, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Instead, like the Abba music that inspired the Mamma Mia! movie franchise, Universal is looking to develop an original film that uses Prince songs as signposts.
Mike Knobloch, president of global film music and publishing for Universal Pictures, will shepherd the untitled Prince project for the studio, with ...
- 12/3/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal Pictures has picked up the rights to a number of classic songs from the late artist Prince’s catalog and is developing an original film musical inspired by his prolific output.
But don't expect the fictional narrative to be a Prince biopic like the 1984 film Purple Rain, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Instead, like the Abba music that inspired the Mamma Mia! movie franchise, Universal is looking to develop an original film that uses Prince songs as signposts.
Mike Knobloch, president of global film music and publishing for Universal Pictures, will shepherd the untitled project for the studio, with Universal vp ...
But don't expect the fictional narrative to be a Prince biopic like the 1984 film Purple Rain, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Instead, like the Abba music that inspired the Mamma Mia! movie franchise, Universal is looking to develop an original film that uses Prince songs as signposts.
Mike Knobloch, president of global film music and publishing for Universal Pictures, will shepherd the untitled project for the studio, with Universal vp ...
- 12/3/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Stripped of CD playing time limitations, Spotify devised the fluid soundtrack last year, one that could add song after song as a TV show progressed. HBO’s “Insecure” was the guinea pig; by mid-October it was up to 159 songs. The streaming service is taking it further this month, partnering with Jonah Hill and A24 on the first evolving playlist for a film, “Mid90s.”
After Spotify hosted a premiere party that included DJs spinning many of the 200 songs Hill listened to while writing the film, the streaming service went live with a 17-track soundtrack/playlist with the intention of adding more tracks and videos from the era. It’s taking a shot at creating a pop-culture moment with the audience that made phenoms out of “The Greatest Showman,” “La La Land” and “A Star Is Born.”
“Soundtracks are evolving to playlists and experiential moments,” says Xavier Jernigan, Spotify’s head of cultural partnerships.
After Spotify hosted a premiere party that included DJs spinning many of the 200 songs Hill listened to while writing the film, the streaming service went live with a 17-track soundtrack/playlist with the intention of adding more tracks and videos from the era. It’s taking a shot at creating a pop-culture moment with the audience that made phenoms out of “The Greatest Showman,” “La La Land” and “A Star Is Born.”
“Soundtracks are evolving to playlists and experiential moments,” says Xavier Jernigan, Spotify’s head of cultural partnerships.
- 10/30/2018
- by Phil Gallo
- Variety Film + TV
Annie Lennox has been added to Variety’s inaugural Music for Screens Summit and will take part in a keynote conversation with composer Scott Salinas. The event will be held at Neuehouse in Hollywood, Calif. on Oct. 30
Lennox, who rose to fame during the 1980s as singer and co-songwriter of Eurythmics, has released six studio albums and won three Grammys. Her latest album, “Nostalgia,” was released in 2014.
Other new additions to the event include a keynote conversation with the team behind Netflix’s “Westside,” and speakers include executive producer Kevin Bartel and executive music producer James Diener from the upcoming reality music series. Shirley Halperin, Variety’s executive editor of music will moderate.
Also, Tom Holkenborg a.k.a. Junkie Xl (“Alita: Battle Angel”) has joined the Composer Roundtable presented by Ascap. Variety contributor Jon Burlingame will moderate the conversation about how best to craft music for film and TV in the digital age.
Lennox, who rose to fame during the 1980s as singer and co-songwriter of Eurythmics, has released six studio albums and won three Grammys. Her latest album, “Nostalgia,” was released in 2014.
Other new additions to the event include a keynote conversation with the team behind Netflix’s “Westside,” and speakers include executive producer Kevin Bartel and executive music producer James Diener from the upcoming reality music series. Shirley Halperin, Variety’s executive editor of music will moderate.
Also, Tom Holkenborg a.k.a. Junkie Xl (“Alita: Battle Angel”) has joined the Composer Roundtable presented by Ascap. Variety contributor Jon Burlingame will moderate the conversation about how best to craft music for film and TV in the digital age.
- 10/18/2018
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will keynote Variety’s inaugural Music for Screens Summit, held at Neuehouse in Hollywood on Oct. 30.
The day-long event, with ambient music exclusively provided by iHeartMedia, will focus on the latest trends in composing for film and television, music supervision, commercial synchs in the digital age, legacy act management, soundtracks’ enduring popularity, and more.
Interviewed by Kcrw’s Elvis Mitchell, Reznor and Ross will discuss their work together as composers, producers and songwriters. The two collaborated on the score for David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” and have since worked on composing for such projects as “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Gone Girl,” and “Patriot’s Day.” The duo entered the documentary realm in 2016, working alongside Gustavo Santaolalla and Mogwai on the score for the environmental advocacy film “Before the Flood” and collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on 2017’s “The Vietnam War.
The day-long event, with ambient music exclusively provided by iHeartMedia, will focus on the latest trends in composing for film and television, music supervision, commercial synchs in the digital age, legacy act management, soundtracks’ enduring popularity, and more.
Interviewed by Kcrw’s Elvis Mitchell, Reznor and Ross will discuss their work together as composers, producers and songwriters. The two collaborated on the score for David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” and have since worked on composing for such projects as “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Gone Girl,” and “Patriot’s Day.” The duo entered the documentary realm in 2016, working alongside Gustavo Santaolalla and Mogwai on the score for the environmental advocacy film “Before the Flood” and collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on 2017’s “The Vietnam War.
- 9/25/2018
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
Universal has embarked on a long-range plan to preserve and restore its unreleased movie music and, starting next week, release some of these scores as limited-edition soundtrack albums.
The imprint will be called Universal Pictures Film Music Heritage Collection, and its first release, to be formally announced Tuesday, will be Michel Colombier’s music from the 1970 science-fiction film “Colossus: The Forbin Project.”
Following in August will be Henry Mancini’s score for the 1979 Peter Sellers remake of “The Prisoner of Zenda.” Both will be on the La-La Land label, which specializes in movie and TV soundtracks.
“We’re a century-old media company,” Mike Knobloch, Universal Pictures president of global film music and publishing, told Variety. “As much as we’re always looking forward, sometimes we have to look back, and recognize and value our history. Our catalog dates back to the beginning of cinema and the advent of sound. This...
The imprint will be called Universal Pictures Film Music Heritage Collection, and its first release, to be formally announced Tuesday, will be Michel Colombier’s music from the 1970 science-fiction film “Colossus: The Forbin Project.”
Following in August will be Henry Mancini’s score for the 1979 Peter Sellers remake of “The Prisoner of Zenda.” Both will be on the La-La Land label, which specializes in movie and TV soundtracks.
“We’re a century-old media company,” Mike Knobloch, Universal Pictures president of global film music and publishing, told Variety. “As much as we’re always looking forward, sometimes we have to look back, and recognize and value our history. Our catalog dates back to the beginning of cinema and the advent of sound. This...
- 6/22/2018
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
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