Remote, Live Prague Orchestral Scoring On The Rise
Prague’s buyout scoring orchestras have noted a significant increase in recording work for film and television projects from around the world, including several projects recorded remotely using Source Connect technology where the composer communicates with the orchestra direct from his home studio over the Internet.
The sci-fi blockbuster film “District 9” was scored by Clinton Shorter who made use of Source Connect to monitor orchestral score recording sessions in Prague directly from his studio in Vancouver, while his orchestrator Jeff Toyne supervised the sessions in Prague at Smecky Music Studios.
Other composers to utilize Source Connect to record in Prague include Graeme Revell on a series of string projects, Pinar Toprak for the film “Last Will” starring Tatum O’Neal and Tom Berenger, and Steve Edwards working from his LA studio recording the scores for the films “Cool Dog” and “Ninja.”
Prague also saw projects including Guy Michelmore’s score for Marvel Productions for a “Hulk” adventure, Mark Thomas’s score for the Fox film “Flicka 2”, and projects for Disney Nature Films, the British animation film “Jackboots on Whitehall” and a score for the “Conan” video game series.
For more information on recording in Prague, contact James Fitzpatrick at Tadlow Music at http://www.tadlowmusic.com
Comments
By Andrew on February 4th, 2010 at 10:10
So one weeks it’s “lets get the composers together to make a union” and the next it’s “here how to dodge the AFM and record non-union” – what????
By Mark Northam on February 4th, 2010 at 13:20
We publish stories like this to inform the industry about what’s happening, so composers know all their options. Most composers I know, including myself, would much rather record union if the production company allows it.
By James Fitzpatrick on February 7th, 2010 at 07:01
Just to clarify, only about 10% of work done in Prague is for USA based composers or film companies…the vast majority of work that I contract is for productions and composers from all over Europe: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, Spain, Italy etc… plus Canada, South America, Korea, Japan, Australia, Egypt….and even Bollywood. And of course for composers from the UK. So Prague is certainly thriving without the need to look for any American based movies. (After all the first ever film score was French…and this artform was invented in Europe!). In the article above only one of the composers listed is actually American…….
By Charles Denler on February 7th, 2010 at 12:57
Working with the AFM can be incredibly cumbersome, not to mention very expensive. I have recorded with Prague in the past, and will most likely continue recording with them. Even as an American composer, I tend to think of the concept of supporting our fellow musicians to cross all boarders. I hire a lot of local players to work in my films, but
often work abroad with my orchestras.
Andrew, I am sure that no-one is “dodging” the AFM. But, please keep in mind that unions need to make themselves production friendly, and also remain affordable.
By Bob Fisher on February 11th, 2010 at 12:51
If you are going to record in Prague, you should use http://www.czechfilmorchestra.com they provide a far superior service to Tadlow music, and Smecky Studios..
Why does film music magazine continue to write articles then promote only one recording company in Prague?
By James Fitzptrick on February 15th, 2010 at 01:15
with reference to Mr Fisher’s rather offensive message above, by what standards do you compare the two companies in Prague? Have you ever used Tadlow music? In over 20 years of operation Tadlow Musc has proved to be a great success….with glowing tributes from the likes of Gabriel Yared, Rachel Portman, Kevin Kiner, Guy Michelmore, Wojiech Kilar, Elmer Bernstein etc…
Plus of course, Tadlow music uses exactly the same pool of musicians as Czechfilmorchestra…and infact has a greater selection of musicans to choose from including all 5 of Prague’s symphony orchestras. Plus Tadlow Music does not just restrict recording to just Smecky Studios…but we also work at the Dvorak Concert Hall, CNSO Studios, Czech TV Music Studios and various locations in and around Prague. (and of course Tadow Music also works in LOndon with primarly THe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
And finally the Tadlow Music recordings of the complete scores for THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, TRUE GRIT, THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, EL CID and EXODUS have won plaudits, acclaim and awards from all around the world!
By Bernard Herrmann (Deceased) on February 18th, 2010 at 01:21
I would suspect that Mr Fisher maybe something to do with the other orchestra but this message board system doesn’t require any form of registration and is therefore open to anonymous abuse.
BTW….Jerry Goldsmith says hi