Charles Fox

Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Charles Fox, lectured during the first half of the event on his experience as a composer in the television and motion picture industries. Fox, a Grammy and Emmy-winning composer, is responsible for such hits as “Killing Me Softly”, “Ready To Take a Chance Again”, a slew of TV themes including The Love Boat, Happy Days, and Laverne and Shirley as well as film scores for Foul Play, Nine to Five and National Lampoon’s European Vacation.

Music supervisor Tracy McKnight; NYU Associate Professor Ron Sadoff; BMI’s Doreen Ringer Ross; composer Charlie Fox; and film composer manager Robert Urband.

The second half of BMI Day focused on artist development strategies with instructors Doreen Ringer Ross, BMI’s Vice President Film/TV Relations; music supervisor Tracy McKnight, whose works include the films Hotel Rwanda, The Ten, El Cantante, Friends With Money and A Dirty Shame; and film composer manager Robert Urband, whose clients include Alexandre Desplat ( The Queen), Ed Shearmur ( Charlie’s Angels), and Alex Wurman (March of the Penguins).

Director Erik Nelson, “Dreams With Sharp Teeth”; Director/Screenwriter Steven Conrad, “The Promotion”; BMI’s Doreen Ringer Ross; Warner Bros. Pictures Carter Armstrong; Hunnypot CEO Creative Services/Lifestyle John Anderson; Songwriter and subject of “Of All The Things” Dennis Lambert. Front row: Composer Alex Wurman, “The Promotion” and Songwriter/Composer Richard Thompson, “Dreams With Sharp Teeth.”

Songwriter and subject of “Of All The Things,” Dennis Lambert; BMI’s Doreen Ringer Ross; Songwriter/Composer Richard Thompson, “Dreams With Sharp Teeth”; and Composer Alex Wurman, “The Promotion.”

Director Jody Lambert, “Of All The Things,” BMI’s Doreen Ringer Ross; songwriter and subject of “Of All The Things” Dennis Lambert; and Taylor Williams, Producer "Of All The Things."

More coverage of BMI's activities at SXSW2008 is available here.

Conductor Lucas Richman (l) and composer Tim Wynn.

This year’s students are an exemplary group of working film and television composers: Kathryn Bostic (Sundance Fellow, Beyond the Ring, Contradictions of the Heart); Kris Carter (Justice League, Teen Titans); Eric Colvin (NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, Bark!); Claude Foisy (The 4400, White Noise); Corey Jackson (Left in Darkness, Starting Over); Dave Reynolds (Cruel Intentions 3, Tides of War); Craig Richey (Friends with Money, Lovely & Amazing); Tim Wynn (Reflections of Venice, Chasing the Light). The class is coordinated by BMI’s Senior Director of Film/TV Relations, Ray Yee, and BMI’s Film/TV Relations staff.

The whole group pauses for a photo: (l-r, front): BMI's Ray Yee, composer Kathryn Bostic, conductor Lucas Richman and composer Kris Carter; (back) composer Corey Jackson, BMI's Linda Livingston, composers Tim Wynn and Eric Colvin, BMI’s Doreen Ringer Ross, composers Craig Richey, and Dave Reynolds, contractor David Low, composer Claude Foisy, BMI's Anne Cecere and Philip Shrut.

BMI recently recognized accomplished conductor and composer Lucas Richman with the 2007 Classic Contribution Award for 10 years of service leading BMI’s celebrated Conductor’s Workshop. A BMI composer, Richman has led the workshop since its inception. Presently Music Director and Conductor for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Richman is a leading expert in conducting and composing, having fashioned an outstanding career as a conductor with numerous symphonies and orchestras in the U.S. as well as collaborator with numerous film composers as their conductor for such films as the Academy Award-nominated As Good As It Gets, Face/Off, Seven, Breakdown, Anastasia and The Village.

Past participants in the highly touted lab, include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Camara Kambon, Danny Pelfrey, Richard Gibbs, Bill Brown, Bennett Salvay, Rolfe Kent, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Gary Kuo, Tyler Bates, Nate Barr, James Venable, Mervyn Warren, Chris Lennertz and Laura Karpman.

Photos: Anna Maria DiSanto

This year’s students are an exemplary group of working film and television composers: Kathryn Bostic (Sundance Fellow, Beyond the Ring, Contradictions of the Heart); Kris Carter (Justice League, Teen Titans); Eric Colvin (NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, Bark!); Claude Foisy (The 4400, White Noise); Corey Jackson (Left in Darkness, Starting Over); Dave Reynolds (Cruel Intentions 3, Tides of War); Craig Richey (Friends with Money, Lovely & Amazing); Tim Wynn (Reflections of Venice, Chasing the Light). The class is coordinated by BMI Senior Director of Film/Television Relations Ray Yee and BMI’s Film/TV Relations staff.

Highly specialized, coursework will include developing conducting technique, working with live players ranging from piano duet to full chamber orchestra; conducting free-form as well as to click-track, both with and without picture. The musical repertoire for the workshop will range from classical selections to music from commercial films. Each session will be videotaped and critiqued.

Workshop alumni include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Rolfe Kent, Camara Kambon, Richard Gibbs, Bennett Salvay, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Jeff Beal, Mervyn Warren, Joseph Vitarelli, Tyler Bates, Gary Kuo and Laura Karpman.

A limited number of class auditors will be welcomed on an advanced approval basis. Requests for auditors should be sent to Yee at ryee@bmi.com.

George S. Clinton

BMI Classic Contribution Award

Lucas Richman

BMI Film Music Awards

David Arnold: Casino Royale
Tyler Bates: 300
Teddy Castellucci: Wild Hogs
Teddy Castellucci: Little Man
George S. Clinton: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Charlie Clouser: Saw III
Mychael Danna: Little Miss Sunshine
Alexandre Desplat (Sacem) The Queen
Danny Elfman: Meet The Robinsons
Danny Elfman: Charlotte’s Web
Danny Elfman: Nacho Libre
Harry Gregson-Williams: Flushed Away
Harry Gregson-Williams: Déjà Vu
Rupert Gregson-Williams: Over The Hedge
Rupert Gregson-Williams: Click
John Murphy (PRS): Miami Vice
David Newman: Norbit
John Ottman: Superman Returns
Theodore Shapiro: The Devil Wears Prada
Theodore Shapiro: Blades Of Glory
Theodore Shapiro: You, Me And Dupree
Alex Wurman: Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Christopher Young: Ghost Rider
Aaron Zigman: Bridge To Terabithia
Aaron Zigman: Step Up

Oscar Award Winner

Gustavo Santaolalla: Babel

Golden Globe Award Winner

Alexandre Desplat (Sacem): The Painted Veil

BMI Television Awards

Chris Daughtry: American Idol
Carim Clasmann (PRS): Grey’s Anatomy
Galia Durant (PRS): Grey’s Anatomy
Pete Townshend (PRS): CSI
Danny Elfman: Desperate Housewives
Steve Jablonsky: Desperate Housewives
Robert Del Naja (PRS): House
Grantley Marshall (PRS): House
Andrew Vowles (PRS): House
Kevin Kiner: CSI: Miami
Pete Townshend (PRS): CSI: Miami
Mark Mancina: Criminal Minds
Bill Brown: CSI: NY
Pete Townshend (PRS): CSI: NY
Brian Kirk:  Ncis
Chuck Lorre: Two And A Half Men
Dain Blair:  Deal Or No Deal
Tony Phillips: Deal Or No Deal
Joel Wachbrit: Shark
Peter Manning Robinson: Without A Trace
Mike Post:  Law & Order: Svu
Jeff Beal:  Ugly Betty
Martin Davich: ER
David Schwartz: Rules Of Engagement
Rob Cairns:  Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Charlie Clouser: Numb3rs
Chris Wagner: The New Adventures Of Old Christine

Emmy Award Winners

Edward Shearmur: Masters Of Horror
Chris Biondo: National Geographic Explorer - Deadly Love
Harry Leonard Williams: National Geographic Explorer - Deadly Love
Greg O’connor: “A Wonderfully Normal Day” From MADTV
Jim Wise:  “A Wonderfully Normal Day” From MADTV
Bradley Hatfield: “Sunshine” From THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

BMI Cable Awards

Natasha Bedingfield (PRS): The Hills
Danielle Brisebois: The Hills
James Levine: The Closer
Alex Wolff: The Naked Brothers Band
Michael Wolff: The Naked Brothers Band
Nat Wolff:  The Naked Brothers Band
Howlin’ Wolf: The Sopranos
James Johnston: WWE Raw
Bruce Hanifan: Deadliest Catch
Terri Nunn: Angela’s Eyes
Mitchell Sigman: Angela’s Eyes
Steve Hampton: The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Gary Scott: The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Gwendolyn Sanford: Weeds
Gary Stockdale: Penn & Teller: Bullshit!
Rolfe Kent: Dexter
Daniel Licht: Dexter
Matt Koskenmaki: The Ultimate Fighter
Jarrid Mendelson: The Ultimate Fighter
James Levine: Nip/Tuck

This year’s roundtable will be moderated by BMI’s Vice President of Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross, and will feature BMI composers Terence Blanchard (Inside Man; Sundance Composers Lab Advisor), George S. Clinton (Austin Powers; Sundance Composers Lab Advisor), Don Davis (The Good Life), Adam Gorgoni (Starting Out in the Evening), Peter Golub (Wordplay; Composers Lab Director), Andrew Hollander (Waitress), David Robbins (King of California), Anton Sanko (Delirious), Ed Shearmur (Dedication; Composer Lab Advisor), Alex Wurman (The Nines; Composer Lab Advisor), and Craig Wedren (The Ten). The event will also feature directors John August (The Nines), Steve Berra (The Good Life), Mike Cahill (King of California), Justin Theroux (Dedication) and David Wain (The Ten).

BMI will present its annual Composer/Director Roundtable during the 2007 Sundance Film Festival being held Jan. 18-28 in Park City, Utah. Entitled "Music & Film: The Creative Process," the roundtable will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sundance House at the Kimball Art Center (638 Park Avenue). This event is open to festival badge holders.

Terence Blanchard	George S. Clinton	Ed Shearmur

BMI has been an ongoing supporter of the film music program at the Festival as well as at the Sundance Composers Lab held each summer at the Sundance Institute. Click here for more information on BMI events at Sundance as well as on-site coverage of the Festival.

This year's roundtable will be moderated by BMI's Vice President of Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross, and will feature BMI composers Terence Blanchard (Inside Man; Sundance Composers Lab Advisor), George S. Clinton (Austin Powers; Sundance Composers Lab Advisor), Don Davis (The Good Life), Adam Gorgoni (Starting Out in the Evening), Peter Golub (Wordplay; Composers Lab Director), Andrew Hollander (Waitress), David Robbins (King of California), Anton Sanko (Delirious), Ed Shearmur (Dedication; Composer Lab Advisor), Alex Wurman (The Nines; Composer Lab Advisor), and Craig Wedren (The Ten). The event will also feature directors John August (The Nines), Steve Berra (The Good Life), Mike Cahill (King of California), Justin Theroux (Dedication) and David Wain (The Ten).

The panel will focus on the role music plays in film, the composer/director relationship, the growing role of documentaries, and the art of scoring for that medium, as well as the creative expansion of the form.

The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for U.S. and international independent film. Held each January in and around Park City, Utah, the Festival is a core program of the Sundance Institute, a nonprofit cultural organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Presenting 120 dramatic and documentary feature-length films in seven distinct categories, and 80 short films each year, the Sundance Film Festival has introduced American audiences to some of the most innovative films of the past two decades, including Little Miss Sunshine, Quinceañera, Clerks, Hustle and Flow, Maria Full of Grace, Napoleon Dynamite, sex, lies and videotape, Smoke Signals and Super Size Me. Beyond the streets of Park City, the official website of the Sundance Film Festival shares the Festival experience with a global audience through the streaming of short films, filmmaker interviews, and current news and box office information.

Visit BMI @ Sundance 2007