Creative Cribs - Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek)

Blockbuster composer Harry Gregson-Williams walks us around his studio and reflects on a recent sabbatical that gave him a new outlook on his approach to work.
To access 100's of hours of composing tutorials, tips and tricks, check out www.spitfireau...
#SpitfireAudio #InspireAGenerationOfComposers #CreativeCribs #HarryGregsonWilliams #Shrek

[@haramaschabrasir8662]

"Homestudio" - Whole house is studio

[@samycaldera]

lol

[@entrastic]

And he doesn't mix there. He goes to a "proper" studio

[@jensenraylight8011]

i would gladly ditch my house just to be able to living in that kind of studio

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

It's not a home studio anymore. It's simply a real business with staff hired

[@marshalsea]

What a ridiculously nice and charming chap. Very humble and has an air "How the hell did I manage this?" about him still. Very aware of the debt to the people who's helped him. Great to see some humbleness from great artists.

[@JeffDaytonMusic]

The one word that really caught my attention was when he was scurrying around the "Hans" subject and he briefly mentioned "ghostwriting." Hmm... fascinating to think what that may have entailed.

[@whovianmaverick6348]

I Love him for his work on the Shrek Movies and the Chronicles of Narnia Films

[@djohnson2449]

I've watched this video multiple times, each view revealing an additional interesting point to think about. But what consistently astounds me is the simple grace of the interviewer who allows the composer to talk at own pace, in the stream of his own thought. Total focus is on the subject, his gear, his process, his humor. Minimal interruption or steering of conversation, and yet a fascinating and fluid video. Very well done.

[@NeilParfittMusic]

This 23minutes of wisdom supersedes any film-school education.

[@sambidudek]

Back again after one year. :) I like Harry`s story.

[@LuisFernandoImperator]

I've loved your work in Metal Gear since I was 14. Thanks for all, man.

[@b.saulius3916]

yes, and after 26y it still in heart

[@Ō-ZARU]

💯

[@roogrey]

Harry's point about opportunities to start in the business as an assistant composer is hugely important. All the stuff one can pick up about how projects are managed, how business is actually done, and building relationships without the pressure of being the frontman. There's so much more to film scoring than simply writing music.

[@CatherineSTodd]

Gregson-Williams starts talking so fast at times I actually slowed the video down to be able to follow. Wow - what a fascinating, full bodied interview... or rather a glimpse into the genius mind! The interviewer never once interrupted the flow and let the river run!

[@MarkLPriest]

like the emphasis on "the composition" rather than just the gear

[@hitzoneproductions7858]

Mark Priest good eye. a great composer can make a masterpiece with very little.

[@BenCaesar]

So true! I'll remember it

[@heiskari]

Well, I see plenty of gear there

[@TB1M1]

It's what really matters.

[@ashsen7664]

@@hitzoneproductions7858 it is cool for a composer to do that - But when your scoring a film of budget over 50 million ? I think very little is just an over statement.

[@chrisridenhour]

One of my favorite Cribs episodes. At the end of the day, no matter how prestigious the gig or studio, we're all just sitting in front of a keyboard and some computer monitors.

[@durovem]

Extremely intelligent and well spoken gentleman. From his speach and manners, it is obvious he is real professional. I am going to check out his music. I wish him all the best in his carrier and family life.

[@michaelo3599]

I know this is an old comment, but what a nice gesture. You don't see this often.

[@earthisabigspaceship3117]

Na, he's just British.

[@titaniumapple1]

I just know him from scoring Metal Gear Solid and he's a genius - can't believe he was mentored by Hans Zimmer, you can hear the influence

[@ultimatefurydave]

It's almost like he's on cocaine

[@evan_ingalls]

One of my absolute favorite composers. Many many wonderful scores!! Definitely worth a listen.

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

This is the life for every musician,waking up in the morning and spend the day making music for a living.(sigh)

[@sachin.animusical]

:'(

[@RotterStudios]

THE DREAM

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

I completely agree.But only those who truly love and live for music will always find the joy in it,no matter the stress.That man wrote some of the most beautiful music i've ever heard and i bet it was,as you said,bloody stressful!But at the end of the day,the work speak for itself

[@ToastedCigar]

I'm an introvert and I spend 90 % of my time alone, and I love making music. So being a composer would be as close of a perfect job as it could get: do your thing in solitude and construct your own daily schedules.

[@deloreanized]

Until it gets really, really boring. It only takes 8 or 9 soundtracks in a couple of years. Believe me: making music for a living rarely has anything to do with "being creative".

[@sinistar374]

As an amateur producer/musician/composer, this is very humbling, and inspiring at the same time... I love music and the creative process, even if I never make a dime off of it. This was eye opening.

[@federz666]

I’ve dumped tens of thousands into music equipment and my home studio with next to no return. But not for one second so I regret it. Always brings me joy knowing I have it all at my disposable.

[@MagnusAnand]

Great interview! As a side note: it’s amazing the influence Hans Zimmer has had in the industry and composers.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

"Nutty" - Harry Gregson-Williams, 2016

[@sontwisted]

This is the sexiest home studio setup i have ever seen

[@mollyoko]

His 'self-pressure' scenario is in all of us creative's, not just film composers! nice to hear him relax a bit toward the end and keep it real. All the gear in the world can never define who we are and the music that we give the world.

[@hitzoneproductions7858]

mollyoko good eye. you are one of few that figured out why he went on sibatical

[@C_CREATURE_]

When old school producers talk about the cost of computing power it took to compose back then really makes you appreciate the current time we live in. Were so lucky to be able to produce music for little to no money now.

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

but this little to no money created a stiff competition and waves of fake bedroom composers so we're not that crazy lucky

[@C_CREATURE_]

​@@Ahmad-Mounir44 *sigh, sips coffee in dimly lit bedroom with a computer and 2 midi controllers*. You're right, I don't know about "fake", but it doesn't require skill to be succesful now, just a consistant tik-tok campaign flashing cash, strippers and other degeneracy. But is fame the goal? what is the goal? to make music? for the sake of making music? In that case than yes, this time is awesome. You don't have to wait on anyone to finish a track, drummer strung out and doesn't show up to practice? load up Supperior Drummer. Want a brass section in your track? download a VST when you would other-wise have to reach out to a real brass section. But with this, now your music sounds empty, fake, and lonely. Oh god is the pursuit now lonely. And everyone wants to be a purist, do everything themselves; performer, mix engineer, album cover artist, even distributor. BUT hey at least the record label gate keepers are gone, there are thousands of albums locked away never to be heard by anyone because the record label decided it wasn't good enough to be released. So now instead of that, we have an over-saturation of music, albums released everyday, good albums too. Yet no-one has the time to listen to them. Were all busy holding up our ego and trying not to drown under the weight of reality. I for one, am happy to make music for the sake of making music and also keep a day job so I don't go crazy and pull out my hair.

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

@@C_CREATURE_ Well said man and definitely I agree with all of the above AS LONG AS you're making music for the sake of making music, that's awesomely fine but for me, I make music for both and luckily I have few tracks accepted in a music library during the last year. Before that, I had to face loads of sh*t to get at least one track accepted. And thankfully, music libraries only accept quality tracks so they can filter out bedroom strippers from professional composers. What you've said above is the beauty side of VSTs but the ugly side is that you're the Jack-of-All-Trades now and you have to study some audio engineering even if you don't want to. Another ugly side, which came recently, is that both music libs and music supervisors in big studios will fight VSTs with lyrical phrased/percussion loops for copyright infringement and these VSTs form 40% (if not 50%) in the market. Something like SonuScore lyrical bundle, Damage 2, Action Strikes, Elysion, Ethera, Synth loops, just to name a few so in the near future you will see lots of music libraries/supervisors ask you to only use legato, sustain, spiccato,..etc. patches.

[@danielsmith2157]

I’m sure he can afford it but can you imagine the electrify bill.

[@dahalofreeek]

Electricity is so cheap in America though.

[@DJacksonII]

People complain about people oversharing online or on social media and the vapid, self absorbed culture that it spawns, but without that you wouldn't have people like this who don't need to be so generous with their time, to share their journey, experience and knowledge to virtually mentor anyone who is willing to listen. Cheers Harry.

[@AlexanderBruyns]

For those who don't know, "Steph" is Stephanie Economou. She has co-composed quite a few tracks for movies with Harry Gregson-Williams.

[@Senopatix]

Thank you so much! 🤩👍

[@prodigalson21]

best one of these cribs videos yet. Great composer and seems to be a lovely, down to earth, intelligent guy.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Literally just hearing his name gives me an incredible surge of nostalgia. Metal Gear for life!

[@donaloflynn]

What an absolute gentleman. So modest and thoughtful.

[@AcousticLabs]

Wonderful creative space, thanks for showing us this Spitfire :)

[@vleevision7787]

HARRY !!! awesome studio and humble organic sense of music styles !!!

[@madezra64]

Harry if you ever take the time to read this, know that I am a huge fan! I could easily talk all day about how much I love his sounds.

[@patdel12]

initially i thought the reception area was his studio....and i was impressed

[@DI-xe8vq]

same, wit dose adam audio ax7's tho

[@KerwinYoungComposer]

I often find myself returning to these Spitfire Cribs interviews for added inspiration.

[@AdversaryOne]

Man I remember reading about HGW in Computer Music Magazine back when Metal Gear Solid 2 was being developed and dreaming about how amazing it would be to work with him and learn from him. And when the game came out, the soundtrack was incredible. Everyone studied it and tried to mimic it.

[@halcyon107]

Great studio tour, lots of great insight, thanks all of you for taking the time to record this video!

[@BryanHoltComposer]

What a studio!! Bravo to Spitfire for filming this. Long time fan of your libraries -- and also of HGW. Great to go behind the scenes with such a journeyman. Cheers

[@TimGn]

I love getting insight and stories from places I would NEVER be able to IRL. Thank you!

[@Jinx70277]

I love his score on The Chronicles of Narnai: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe sooooooooo much. The music simply oozes magic, very christmasy and spellbinding!

[@Defrag]

Really loved this, and been a fan of Harry Gregson-Williams for many years, Gone Baby Gone soundtrack still resonates and inspires me on a daily basis. Thanks for this Spitfire, and Harry!

[@polkmusic]

I just love these behind the scenes videos. He is a really great composer and his studio is just awesome.

[@ChimeraX8]

Love Harry Gregson-Williams work, saw a video on his setup years ago, great to see his current setup!

[@jaydoe647]

This it fellas, This the cream of the crop. It does not get better than this right here

[@TheBandMan]

“Cottage industry, not a factory.” Subtle shade to Hans Zimmer.

[@ScantlessBeatz]

Good interview you never realise how long the journey is untill to hear someone else explain there story then you think of the year's you have in music & how much you know & don't know.

[@lousehr]

Really nice humble and sincere guy considering his great achievements and abilities. This is what music is all about.

[@italianbirdvideos6190]

What an honest, open, giving interview.

[@jimmyhertzman1314]

it took me 1 minute and 25 seconds to give up my dreams about being a film score composer

[@CatherineSTodd]

Film composer can be "a therapist to the director..." Oh, my. I could use one of those! great video. And thanks.

[@tgletgle9980]

I'd really never heard of this dude before - but I think he's charming, really talented and ever so gently- a bit batshit crazy.

[@g.j.haycock1064]

Thanks a lot! You just made my "real Job" much more mundane and depressing and my "Dream job" seem so much more unattainable. Great look into Mr. Gregson-Williams world, however. So thanks for that too!

[@mrflynn01]

I love these types of videos, when I was a very young engineer all I ever talked about was music. Recording music is my favorite topic.

[@DListComposer]

"I'm not a mini Hans Zimmer... it's a cottage industry, not a factory." Now if that isn't telling!

[@KudosCultureCartel]

Thought he said COLLEGE

[@willb3698]

I thought he said Frottage

[@shashankchauhan5009]

@Sean Haley And the award for most abstrusely inane psychologism and human idiocy goes to.. you mate.

[@updown5238]

Nah mate, that one goes to you.

[@gabrield.cstoica1832]

Es uno de los grandes compositores de Hollywood y realmente sabe de música...me gusta y creo que a muchos como combina lo sintetiz con la música en general...da igual que tema hace...es bueno y yo personalmente le respeto.

[@iMaxAL]

Still my favourite Hollywood composer. Definitely had the most influence on me and the way I compose

[@rolandgerard6064]

Very interesting interview. Harry Gregson-Williams is so down to earth. Great studio too.

[@undessided9916]

Absolutely gorgeous studio!

[@CatherineSTodd]

I'm already so self-critical of myself..." Don't I know the feeling! Never thought such a great musician and film composer as Harry Gregson-Williams could be somewhat like me. Gives me hope for the future. Oh, Harry, you are a hero to us all!

[@NuMogulMedia]

Wealth of great Info! Thanks!

[@RamonRodgers]

What you're suggesting at 19:00 is all I ever wanted. Ever...I wouldn't even need to play an active role, but just being there and having the ability to ask questions is invaluable! That's why I love what Dirk Ehlert and Daniel James is doing. it really helps to see it happen.

[@AkshatMehrotra07]

marathon of great visuals, space, talk and perspective.. thanks Spitfire..

[@cardbored_]

I just discovered this channel yesterday and man this is one of the best channels for music composing on youtube! SO GOOD!

[@walterearl6456]

nice listing to you talk about your studio I'm a jazz musician, producer of music for over 20 years peace!!

[@CatherineSTodd]

Harry Gregson-Williams is a terrific musical composer, and you can tell it's easier for him to hold a conversation with the piano than it is with the video camera. But his discussion is fascinating and I would love for it to never end, just like his film scores! Thanks for posting this - it's wonderful to see how "real" film scores and music is made!.I always wondered how one made the magic happen!

[@Pyroific]

I love that he has an access virus ti, haven't seen one of those in awhile. legendary synth!

[@srphoenixmarcella]

Thanks so much for posting this - what an incredible crib and composer.

[@obilodotcom]

Nice video! I love the wisdom and candid tips he shares - not getting into too much technology and complexity (microphones), fewer movies - done better. Nice and honest man.

[@Sellvixi]

This guy made me cry with metal gear3 and 4 sounds 😪😢😭

[@rebornmusic7900]

Unbelievable place to create music! Love it...

[@madezra64]

This is one of my favorite composers. There's so much of his work never released and only used within their respective movies and it's crazy to know that he has all this music just chilling up in his private studio. I don't live far from him either.... I need to find a way to become best friends with him so he will let me listen to a few tracks from Unstoppable that never made it to the original soundtrack.

[@semi1398]

Unstoppable soundtrack is amazing🔥🔥🔥

[@madezra64]

@@semi1398 Such an underrated movie and soundtrack. Super cool music and fun to watch!

[@semi1398]

@@madezra64 its one of my favorite movies 😀

[@frankfradella6127]

Simply Fantastic💥

[@mepizzasmangled]

I've been rewatching this every year since it was uploaded, also hi future me lol

[@markmccann1]

Great interview. Amazing studio and such a lovely guy.

[@dewalwals]

Thank you so much spitfire for this Raid intervideo, Gregon Williams is a pioneer, Metal Gear Solid was where i remembered him the most, very truly inspiring guy, this guy is more creative than Zimmer, zimmer buys your music if your part of his army, and makes money to most of it under his wing. Although a great guy.(zimmer). Personally, in my heart, Williams rules of his heartly made composition than zimmer. Peace out

[@stevereaver]

Both my wife and I took sabbaticals from our careers after we have been working for 20 years. We have both gone back in with a new enthusiasm for our work. Interesting that Harry has taken a break after the same length if time. It must be a thing.

[@torley]

This was so illuminating and HGW is so funny and approachable! Thanks for doing this, and excited to see your future episodes. :D Haha, uncanny timing @ 5:40 just as I was just looking at the Black Hole price drop. That creative insight of the composer's journey @ 17:28 is AMAZING.

[@rogerjuniorchabot]

At 20:00, when he says he appreciated not having the spotlight immediately on him, in order to learn. That's exactly what Hans Zimmer means when he talks about having the courage to fail, BUT having the opportunity to DO so in PRIVATE ("you don't really want to be observed at your greatest failures", is the actual quote)

[@caryeddy6928]

His studio: massive and GOALS

[@busywl69]

this is the life, and what a humble guy!

[@allanglenmusic]

Awesome studio and Harry comes across as such a down to earth guy!

[@Chowyanh]

Brilliant absolutely. Such a good walk through about the life in studio of a composer. Thank you Spitfire.

[@2gunzfilms425]

I would've killed to have been able to sit in a room and learn from these guys 15 years ago.

[@NR-gp2il]

Now we have native instruments and ableton

[@conuredude]

Easily the best composer interview I've ever seen. Fantastic!

[@dormytorry]

What a legend. Awesome having him on Earth.

[@Ō-ZARU]

Thank you harry since MGS 🖤💯

[@zeek2494]

whats a class act! i really respect that guy!

[@CatherineSTodd]

21:23 when Harry starts discussing "not be so self-critical of himself" and it's "not a foot race..." oh, isn't this the bane of the creative effort? And don't we all know exactly what he is talking about. Glad to find out this is the downfall and the glory of the artistic life! The joy and the grief and the frustration which becomes the brew of our creative world, and how a new creation is now born. Bravo, Harry... thank you for putting this into music and into words!

[@CatherineSTodd]

21:39 "I'm already self-critical enough..." Amen! The life and mentality of a true artist, always striving for more.

[@GingerDrums]

"Nice little studio attached to my house" translates to "full blown state of the art 5.1 audio editing suite". I suppose after working with Hans anything but Abbey Road will seem quaint.

[@superenguanapianist]

one of my fav film composer

[@peteragoston-petrosthemusi8260]

I love this honest approach of Harry. (22'37'') Plus. Maximalism isn't a good way to make quality AND wholehearted things. Living under the pressure is not the best way for the Muse. My personality, simply, sounds. If I have Mercy in my life, I will have mercy and honesty toward others. And it sounds as well...

[@Iamvladimirmarkov]

Harry, thank you for your music! It's a great!

[@jasperdany]

Every musicians dream !!! home studio !!

[@TheNimasan]

what an amazing interview it was.... i really enjoyed it!!!

[@ArthurStone]

Thanks for taking the time to make this; a valuable insight. Super studio : -)

[@kentkarlsson4169]

Great insight! Thanks!

[@cicadamusic5731]

Followed Harry's career for many years now. Beautiful scores. I would like to hear some of stories he has about working with Zimmer. Awesome interview.

[@collincampbellC3]

4:45 Great quote from him.

[@Graeme_Norgate]

So envious of that studio, it's a thing of beauty!

[@glennrueger8689]

What a wonderful treat! I had just discovered HGW's episode on the Song Exploder podcast in which he discusses a beautifully crafted 'Martian' cue. And now this - brilliant.

[@christianwelde]

Seen this 3-4 times now. Such a nice guy and inspiring tour.

[@KM-tv5km]

Guess there’s not a lot of guitar nerds in her, as I haven’t seen anyone bring this up yet, but when they showed his guitars I noticed Teuffel Birdfish, which is an insanely rare, expensive, and amazing sounding guitar. I didn’t think a composer would be into a thing like that, as it’s a very niché and relatively unknown guitar, but very cool nonetheless!!!

[@RyanHannaMusic]

lol i watched this when it first came out and i remember being 'all i want is somewhere i can overdub some riffs and a drumkit in the corner, with a midi keyboard and some plugins all centred around my living room TV'.... it was a dream for me im living it baby, yea!

[@moonbishop]

I think "nutty" is a great word to use to describe the EQ he applies to his Yamaha. Going to have to remember that word. Great video, Spitfire.