Interview with Gary GUTTMAN, composer.
You have been composing music for over 30 years in Hollywood for cinema, theater, television and big theme parks : what did you think of the “En Routine” project carried out by a (small) French hospital ?
I found the project intriguing, because my music would be heard in a different venue than my other projects, and it serves a good cause. Michael [BESSE, editor’s note], whom I have known for over 20 years, initially asked me to use one of my older pieces. But all of my orchestral music is owned by the film studios that commissioned the work. I then offered to compose a new piece of music, based on the song “Libertine”, which is used in their film. It’s a song that I had not heard before.
Your work schedule being very busy, how did you choose to work on this film ?
I was very touched that the hospital really enjoyed my music, but the pieces that they wanted to use did not completely correspond to the atmosphere of their film. We needed something neutral, with a light pulse. Perhaps with a soft percussion instrument like a shaker. I wanted to create a feel that shows that the clock is ticking and it’s the start of the work day. I felt that this would be the best way to open the film : the music is neither too happy nor too dark.
Is the music for a film written before or after seeing the images ?
It’s difficult for me to compose music if I don’t understand the meaning of the film and the message it wants to convey. Watching the entire film allows me to create music with the correct emotion. Usually, when I compose music for a film, the directors send me a copy with timecode, which allows me to perfectly align my music with the film. This is what I did for « En Routine » : I received the film, I transferred it to my tools and I was able to compose in perfect synchronization.
« The entire team for the film has done a very high level job. »
For us in France, it’s totally incredible and unexpected to collaborate with a “real” Hollywood composer : what do you remember from this atypical adventure ?
It’s wonderful that my music is heard around the world – and I was touched that the hospital asked to use my music for their film. It was a pleasant surprise. Before Christmas, I was sent the video clip of the song being recorded in the studio. They did such a fantastic job ! Since these are hospital professionals and not professional singers, I was even more impressed ! The entire team for the film has done a very high level job.
As a composer, what do you think of this link between the Music and the Hospital ?
It’s always been said that music soothes the soul. And I believe it’s been proven that music can help you heal faster. So I am delighted to make my modest contribution to that.