A Forum Interview with HUMMIE MANN - Post Your Questions

[Francis Ellen]

Hi Hummie,

I have a couple of (somewhat related) questions I'd like to fire at a proper movie/tv composer. (And a little diatribe to glaze the eyes a little.)

First, I've noticed that film composer credits always seem to be arranged or lauded according to the status of the directors/producers or even the actors involved in a project. I have to assume that composers may produce their very best work for relatively unknown projects but still have to sell themselves according to association rather than necessarily the work itself.

Even within the work there seems to be another tacit 'scale' that has action movies right at the top with comedies at the bottom (as far as music is concerned). How do you feel about this (do you even concur?) and what single project are you most proud of? (And in what genres - given the choice - are you most interested in writing for, both musically and career-wise?). This is a serious question but I admit that it is inspired by an image (for example) of you at a party surrounded by interested partygoers locked into jobs as dentists and lawyers and office workers and one asks "What is your best work?" And you say "Robin Hood..." and they go "Mmm.." and you say "Men in Tights." And suddenly things change. (I was once at a party when someone asked what I did. I replied "I'm editor of a magazine.." Five or six people crowded in on me to drink in my obvious charm and talent.. then I said "On a shipping economics magazine..." and all of them turned their backs on me simultaneously.) (I use this example to illustrate that my question is serious and that spurious perceptions can have serious consequences on the development of a career.)

My second question is really (again) more than one question, but it starts with an assertion that I would make (even though there may be some who would take issue with it); and that is that in film composing I have observed more thievery and intellectual property burgling than in any other art that I can think of. I watched a very famous movie just last night that had stolen the music from an old (and very wonderful) British tv series called 'I Claudius'. The music (Wilfrid Josephs) wasn't just 'hommaged' or quoted, it was simply lifted (presumably because the composer believed that the music was almost 'unknown' - the series in question is one of the greatest drama series' ever produced but still, because of cheapo BBC production values, it could have been mistaken for something obscure).

In movies I see composers doing this an awful lot and I never ever heard of anyone taking anyone else to court (although some of the 'biggies' might have to take themselves to court, as again I sometimes hear the same score reworked over and over by a few 'names' - who get offered far too much work).

Has anyone ever lifted some of your jewels? And, if so, what did you do about it? Have you ever fudged the line yourself, or even retrospectively discovered that you'd regurgitated someone else?

By the way, I got the chance to watch you work a little in Edinburgh this summer. It was incredibly impressive to watch the expression of skills that can only be born of talent applied to a seriously specialized (and almost paradoxically 'sprawling') art. I would venture that many people here could benefit tremendously just to watch you 'in action'. I'd recommend a series of television shows simply observing you at work. I'm convinced that the skills required to perform such work are so deeply entrenched that only outsiders could even make you aware of many of them.

Best of luck with the future (and hoping that you get a contract for a 'serious' 'action' movie starring Meryl Streep and Al Pacino naked, directed by Spielberg and funded to the tune of three hundred million by Disney). (And that you 'quote' whatever you know will get you to the next blockbuster.)

[lulu]

i just wanted to know how much do you let other people be involved in your music (orchestrators, producers, etc.)

thanx

[Garritan]

We will be wrapping up our question period in another couple of weeks. If anyone has any questions they would like to ask Hummie, now is your opportunity.

After the question period ends, I will present your questions to Hummie and will post his answers.

Thanks for your participation.

Gary Garritan

[Bbbodie]

Hummie,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions. How did you get started in the industry? what led to your big breaks? and most of all, what would you recommend to aspiring composers to focus on as they hone their craft?

Thanks so much,

Reid Lowery

[GotMilkX]

Q. Hey Hummie, what's it like being famous? Is it really stressful, or can you help but look down on people alot? What was it like when you first stepped into fame, was it gradual or more catastrophic. Did you gradually get more and more money or did you get a big break and get more than you thought was possible?

[Garritan]

The question period is now closed. Good questions were asked and I'm looking forward to Hummie's answers. I will post Hummies answers soon.

Thank you for your participation.

Gary Garritan