Nathan Larson

BMI Causes Commotion Over Film Music

2005-06-27T18:00:00-05:00

Commotion Records President Tracy McKnight and CEO Walter Yetnikoff, along with BMI Los Angeles, hosted a cocktail party at Mirabelle to celebrate the release of BMI composer Nathan Larson's new CD entitled Filmmusik.

Shown at the party are BMI's Linda Livingston, BMI composer Nathan Larson, Commotion Records' Tracy McKnight and Walter Yetnikoff, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, and agent Rob Messinger. Photo by Ellen Ratner

The CD highlights Larson's fantastic body of work from Boys Don't Cry, High Art, Storytelling, and many other groundbreaking independent films and was released as part of Commotion's "Film Music Series."

Former CBS/Sony honcho Walter Yetnikoff and veteran music supervisor Tracy McKnight launched Commotion Records in 2003 to develop, produce and strategically market soundtrack albums for specialty and independent films.

BMI Sponsors 2004 Woodstock Film Festival

2004-12-06T17:00:00-05:00

BMI was once again a sponsor at this year's Woodstock Film Festival, held October 13-17 in Woodstock, NY and the neighboring towns of Rhinebeck and Hunter. BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice President of Film/TV Relations, moderated a film music panel at the fifth annual event, where panelists discussed the composer/director relationship, the ins and outs of film scoring, music supervision and licensing.

Shown after the panel are producer Laurie Trombley (Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley), music supervisor Tracy McKnight (Commotion Records), film composer Nathan Larson (Boys Don't Cry, Prozac Nation, Phone Booth, The Woodsman), filmmaker Nicole Kassell (The Woodsman), BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross and musician/songwriter Chris Stein (co-founder of Blondie).

BMI also hosted a dinner during the five-day gathering, with several composers, filmmakers, directors and other film music professionals in attendance.

Shown at the BMI dinner are director Sascha Paladino, BMI songwriter/artist Bela Fleck, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, BMI singer/songwriter John Sebastian and Woodstock Film Festival co-director Laurent Rejto.

The 2004 Woodstock Film Festival boasted an exceptional collection of 120 films, panels, concerts and special events. The Festival is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film-related activities combining inspired learning and the promotion of sustainable economic development by attracting film, video and media production to the Hudson Valley.

Also at the dinner are director Anna Gabriel, BMI's Phil Graham and Doreen Ringer Ross, and BMI Grammy Award-winning artist and composer Peter Gabriel.

BMI Music is Hot at Sundance

2004-02-05T17:00:00-05:00

BMI, a proud sponsor and supporter of the Sundance Film Festival for more than 15 years, once again made music in film the hot topic at this year's event. Held in Park City, UT from January 15-25, BMI hosted a number of special events throughout the week including the BMI Songwriters Snowball and the BMI Roundtable entitled "Music & Film, The Creative Process."

Shown at the second annual BMI Songwriters Snowball held during the 2004 Sundance Film Festival are (back row): musician Joan Wasser, BMI's Linda Livingston, Doreen Ringer Ross, Alison Smith, Myles Lewis and Barbara Cane. Front row: BMI's Tracie Verlinde, composer/artist Nathan Larson, artists Nina Persson, Allison Moorer and Shelby Lynne, and composer/artist Will Calhoun.

Since songs are the key element for an outstanding and unforgettable soundtrack, the Songwriters Snowball featured acoustic, intimate performances by some of the most stirring singer/songwriters in contemporary music including Grammy winner Shelby Lynne, Academy Award nominee Allison Moorer, composer Nathan Larson with Nina Persson of the Cardigans, and dj/musician/composer Will Calhoun of Living Colour.

Shown at the BMI Roundtable held during the 2004 Sundance Film Festival are (back row): composer David Julyan ("Momento"), composer George S. Clinton, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, composer Rolfe Kent, Sundance Institute/composer Peter Golub, composer Mark de gli Antoni and composer Richard Marvin. Front row: Director Chris Eyre, composer BC Smith, director Jessica Yu, composer Jeff Beal, director Nicole Kassell and composer Nathan Larson. photos: Randall Michaelson

The role of music in independent film and the relationship between composer and director took center stage at the BMI Roundtable. Entitled "Music & Film, The Creative Process," the panel featured BMI's Vice President of Film/TV Music, Doreen Ringer Ross, as the moderator. The impressive list of participants included composers Rolfe Kent ("About Schmidt," "Legally Blonde"), George S. Clinton ("Austin Powers," "The Santa Clause 2"), Nathan Larson ("Boys Don't Cry," "The Woodsman"), Mark de gli Antoni ("Marie & Bruce"); Peter Golub ("The Laramie Project"), Jeff Beal ("Pollack," "In The Realm of the Unreal"), David Julyan ("Memento," "Insomnia") and B.C. Smith ("Smoke Signals," "Edge of America"), as well as filmmakers Jessica Yu ("Breathing Lessons," "In The Realm of the Unreal"), Chris Eyre ("Smoke Signals," "Edge of America") and Nicole Kassell ("The Woodsman").

Through its ongoing support of the Sundance Composers Lab held at the Sundance Institute during the summer and the many events it hosts at the festival and throughout the year, BMI continues to look for new and innovative ways to help enhance the composer and director relationship. Click here for more information on BMI's activities at Sundance.

Performs a short cue from the film, “The Woodsman”

2004-01-19T17:00:00-05:00

Nathan Larson performs Performs a short cue from the film, “The Woodsman”