Insights from Randy Newman: A Composer's Journey
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Chapter 1: A Musical Encounter
In the world of Hollywood, serendipity often paves the way for unexpected contributions. Reflecting on my early days, I realize that my involvement in the creation of Toy Story was a remarkable stroke of luck. At the time, I was working as an assistant to the incredibly talented Randy Newman. We found ourselves at Sony Studios in Culver City, where he was conducting a 500-piece orchestra to bring to life the enchanting score and songs for Toy Story.
This was before anyone foresaw the franchise's monumental success and the birth of Pixar. Randy is not only a musical genius but also a genuinely kind person. If he happens to be your hero, there’s no need to shy away from meeting him; he truly lives up to the acclaim.
As I reminisce, I recall some of the valuable lessons he imparted during our time together. One memorable instance involved him subtly seeking my input on a word choice in the song "You've Got a Friend in Me." Before I delve into that, let me share some other delightful moments we experienced together.
Randy Newman | Photo by WikiMedia Commons
"Does my forehead look large?" he asked, playfully probing for reassurance.
"No," I replied, trying to be supportive.
"It feels enormous, like it's expanding. Are you sure?"
"It looks the same," I assured him.
He then mentioned his zinc supplementation, which he believed might be increasing blood flow to his frontal lobe. It was a lighthearted conversation that veered into unexpected territory.
"Did you know I once consulted an eyebrow specialist?" he shared.
I was intrigued but admitted ignorance.
"It was a referral from an eye doctor," he explained, "I had trouble seeing certain notes while writing—particularly B-Flat. I thought it was a vision issue, but it turned out to be related to zinc deficiency."
Everyone should have a favorite poet or songwriter. If you're not a musician, perhaps consider poetry or painting as your artistic companions. Who inspires you?
"Dr. Seuss," I mused, but felt it was too whimsical.
"I wanted to say Walt Whitman, though I've never read his work," I continued, feeling somewhat inadequate. Eventually, I settled on T.S. Eliot.
"Go read some books," Randy advised, humorously challenging my choices.
When something resonates deeply with you, don't just enjoy it; explore it. Discover the journey behind the art, the music, and the poetry. This exploration not only enriches your understanding but also helps you connect with your own creative journey.
The best advice I gleaned from Randy was to "bite your ideas."
I tilted my head in confusion, prompting him to elaborate.
"Imagine you're someone who never bites their nails," he began. "But during a moment of stress, you do. You nibble at a nail, leaving a small raw edge. That’s how you test your ideas—by biting into them. If you don't, how can you know if they’re any good?"
The studio was a vast expanse, filled with 500 musicians, all preparing to create something magical. As Randy began conducting, the silence was palpable before it erupted into an incredible symphony. This was the first time these iconic melodies were being shared, even with Randy himself.
The scoring was done without the animated footage, purely symphonic, as the visuals would later align with the music. We had an immense wealth of talent, with each musician bringing years of experience to the performance.
The Last Word
Randy was particular about a line in "You've Got a Friend in Me." He felt the phrase "You and I are meant to be" didn’t flow well with the rest of the song.
"Do you believe in destiny?" I asked him while setting down a coffee.
"Do I need to remind you there are 500 musicians waiting?" he replied, humorously brushing off my question.
"Can't you just use a placeholder and fix it later?" I suggested.
He explained that a single syllable could significantly impact the feel of the song.
"All our effort goes into finding the perfect word," he mused. "Yet, people primarily hear the entire piece, not focusing on individual words."
"Then who cares?" I asked, intrigued.
"It's the last word of the song. It has to resonate," he insisted.
As our conversation unfolded, he noted, "You're going to see it’s our destiny," referring to the connection between the song and our collaboration.
Over time, our bond developed into a genuine friendship, all sparked by that shared moment in the studio.
Chapter 2: Randy Newman’s Wisdom
In this video, Randy Newman discusses the scoring process and his experiences working on Toy Story, showcasing his unique perspective on film music composition.
In this insightful video, Randy Newman dives deeper into the art of film composing, sharing techniques and anecdotes that illuminate his creative process.