Jerry Goldsmith Interview (1983)

Composer Jerry Goldsmith discusses the technique of devising a theme for a picture (in this case for the film Under Fire), and explains the dramatic purpose and function of music in a movie.
This footage is presented purely for educational purposes, and has not been monetized.

[@karaokeduncan]

I've always been such a fan of Jerry Goldsmith. I once saw him in concert and got him to sign my Legend soundtrack! Under Fire (the piece he's working on at the beginning) is a great one too.

[@OldMovieRob]

One of my favorite composers ever... in 480p!

[@SteveDondley]

Music is the secret sauce of so many movies. It can elevate a mediocre movie to greatness. I don't even think you can have a great movie without a great film score.

[@daleturner]

Thanks so much for putting this GEM back out into the cyber! Gonzo for Goldsmith!

[@jasonkyleadams7577]

Jerry Goldsmith is the type of artist the motion picture industry needs today. Sadly, even if he were still alive, that industry would not come knocking at his door. It is a changed era.

[@imfsresidentotaku9699]

Even so, I’m sure that there are plenty of people in the industry that would kill to have their films scored by Jerry Goldsmith. His Alien and Star Trek themes have been reused for recent productions in their respective franchises, so there is some kind demand for him. What evidence do you have that “that industry would not come knocking at his door”?

[@jasonkyleadams7577]

@@imfsresidentotaku9699 Hypathetically, I can only assume. I look at the composers that are still alive from Goldsmith's era (or overlapped his active years), Williams, Silvestri, Conti, Broughton, Newman (Randy/David), Portman, Newton-Howard, Davis (Don), Edelman, and who is knocking on their doors now? Sure, they all (or most) still add to their IMDB filmography. They are getting old, and they are slowing down, but the assignments are not the same and are few and far between. Are they failing to evolve in an industry that is changing? A director doesn't want to hear a simple piano sketch based on the description of the scene from the screenplay. They want the full synth mockup, fully orchestrated and completely adjustable if the timing and length of the scene or entire picture changes. Would Jerry Goldsmith want to work in the industry today if he were still alive? We can't ask him, we can only guess. Reports show he was already frustrated with the industry years before his death and as the Hans Zimmer sound continues to take over this industry, directors and producers are likely to hire a composer who brags about writing 12 hours of material for a film that hasn't even started shooting. It's a changed industry of mostly unimpressive films, scored with unmemorable music. Only the opinion of a faceless stranger.

[@iceomistar4302]

where the heck do you keep getting these rare interviews with film composers?