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Posted: |
Jun 12, 2022 - 1:41 PM
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By: |
SchiffyM
(Member)
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I was just thinking this morning of my various encounters with major film composers, whom I then said nothing to. I don't want to brag, but I think this is a pretty impressive display of cowardly passivity on my part.
1990s
The Wherehouse Music (Los Angeles)
Jerry Goldsmith, waiting for a teenager. I wanted to say something to him, but it felt like I would just bug him.
The Daily Grill (Studio City)
Leonard Rosenman, by the entrance. I was with a bunch of people, so I just walked right by him.
2000s
Caesar's Palace (Las Vegas)
Marc Shaiman, at a brunch in a private room. I said hello to him, but never let on that I knew who he was.
Teru Sushi (Studio City)
James Horner, in the booth right next to me (there was a table-level divider between us). He was in the middle of a long conversation, I didn't want to be annoying.
2010s
Arclight Theater (Sherman Oaks)
Michael Giacchino, waiting for his kids to buy candy. He was with family, I stayed away.
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I could have met Danny Elfman, but I couldn't think of anything to say, except "I really loved Edward Scissorhands!" which would have sounded stupid.
Also, since that was only score of his I really liked, I felt it would be phony to create the impression I was a fan of his overall body of work.
I wish I hadn't gone up to say hello to Roy Budd, because I complimented him on a score of his I'd liked -- unfortunately I had his credits a little mixed up and it was a score written by someone else! 
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I didn't say hello to JG one time; he said something to me! 
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I find that you get the best reaction from the
composer if you shout 'arse hole', just as you walk by and while looking the other way, slightly.
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I'd prefer to say "shy" rather than "timid," but I qualify in one stand-out instance. I've never had a problem chatting with composers in person at a public event, such as concerts, Tony Thomas' interview series at Filmex (the L. A. film festival), or the unveiling of Max Steiner's star on the Hollywood Blvd. Walk of Fame. These occasions led to the pleasant memory of encounters with such as Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini, David Raksin (perhaps the most approachable of them all), and even Miklos Rozsa. But some time in the early 90's, when Tony Thomas and I were on the phone and our talk turned to the then-retired Dr. Rozsa, Tony suggested, "You should give him a call."
At the time, I couldn't imagine making such a friend-of-a-friend overture to the Maestro, so I never did. And I'll aways regret that I didn't. Especially with what I've learned over the years about some of the greatest artists in their last years, living at home, who might have appreciated more contact from the outside world.
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Not exactly to your point but....Jerry Goldsmith came to town. OK, I said...will take a nap and go to concert. Went to sleep, did not wake up until after concert...
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Oh keep posting, Dr. Jones. Humility has a way of humbling others. You have it in spades. Great account. Cheers.
You remind me of short round.
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I decided not to go backstage when Jerry Goldsmith conducted the local orchestra, didn't really want to be part of that vibe that I expect is tiresome for the celeb.
But I did have fun some years later at an informal symposium with composers Christopher Rouse, John Corigliano and John Adams - each of whom graciously signed CDs (that I had just bought), and I chatted briefly with each.
Then got to drive Adams to our radio station for an interview. That was a bit humbling. I don't remember what if anything I might have said. I probably repeated myself.
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Denver, 1993 I think, could have been 1992. With the Colorado Symphony, right around the time Marin Alsop became the conductor.
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I saw Joel McNeely sitting by himself on a bench several blocks away from the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, shortly before Varese's 35th anniversary concert. Didn't want to bother him. What an amazing concert, by the way. Still sad that it was never released on cd or dvd.
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