Some names are crossed as those who have gone on to compose for the choir invisible, others are crossed off because their styles just no long fit the current trends (CMS) and others because they just won’t play ball and do what they are told by said mogul/producer.

Some are crossed off and then written later on the same page.

Finally, he reaches the names that remain unmarred by his pencil. These are the “go to” guys. The ones who always come through, are well known and have a good track record of fitting all those pesky notes to the picture in a way that the mogul agrees with.

Your task?

Help write this list.

Some things to consider:

1.A-list composers are generally associated and have in the past been associated with big pictures.
2. Musical excellence is not a requirement (but it helps)
3. Won an Oscar? It certainly helps to say Oscar Winning Composer.
4. Flexibility in working style wise a plus.
5.. You did that movie?!? That made a lot of money! Have your girl call my guy!

Here is my current list of A-list composers:

John Williams
Jerry Goldsmith
Hans Zimmer
James Horner

People who may soon join that list (Currently B List Composers)

Alan Silvestri (He just never seems to make the list at Oscar time. Only once for Forrest Gump. He Just needs the big Breakthrough score)
Howard Shore (If Two Towers is as big as Fellowship, he’s in. He;s Gotta prove it wasn’t a fluke.)
James Newton Howard (Needs a big hit that really makes a mark on the public consciousness.
Danny Elfman (Wall of sound isn’t as hummable as Batman. Too much texture, not enough picture)

People who aren’t on the list anymore:

John Barry Too picky and too hard to work with. Doesn’t need the work and won’t take crap. (Crap being the number one product Hollywood Mogul’s have to offer.)
Lalo Schifrin Composing style no longer in vogue Sounds too 70’s to Mr. Mogul.
Elmer Bernstein Too old to be hip. Everything sounds like it belongs to another age. Besides, he hasn’t done a big picture in years. And besides look how much money Wild, Wild West lost!

Your addition or subtractions, to any of the above lists?

Reasons why you think my reasoning is akin tothat of cat on crank?

Any of your "A-list" composers would not have done anything more to help that film.

I don't think any of these composers, in perfect world, belong on any list of any kind. They should all be judged equally.

But that said, there are still those guys that the studios want to use over and over.

dgoldwas is evil. he's right again.

MWRuger is evil. he posts jokes without a or a or a emoticon so we know he posts jokes.

Bond1965 is evil. for no particular reason.

But to keep this on-topic (sort of), an interesting project would be to see the transition between the past "A-List" composers with the current ones, and then the up-and-comers.

Was there a lull between them? Or did Goldsmith and Williams just take up the baton (so to speak, and there's a relay race reference too ) from the "previous masters?"

By "lull" I mean a period of time (years, etc) where there weren't any "stand-out" composers.

quote:

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Originally posted by dgoldwas:
JNH, Elfman, and Silvestri ARE considered A-list composers. An Oscar isn't a membership requirement.

Dan

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I never claimed it was. If you'll notice, I said things to consider, not things set in concrete as inviolate rules that must be adhered to at all cost upon pain of death.

As I previously stated composers don't belong on a list, they should be composing someplace. Further, I am not passing judgment on any composer's talent or lack thereof. That’s why I specifically said I was channeling a studio executive as talent is not a consideration in making a decision for them.

Still, the four I listed are the first ones that I would think of if I was looking to be a studio mogul and had picture to score. Naturally, they might not be available, and then I would certainly go with any of the three that I offended you with by their exclusion. Of Course, if they weren't available I would just keep going until I found somebody.

quote:

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Originally posted by Kevin:

But to keep this on-topic (sort of), an interesting project would be to see the transition between the past "A-List" composers with the current ones, and then the up-and-comers.

Was there a lull between them? Or did Goldsmith and Williams just take up the baton (so to speak, and there's a relay race reference too ) from the "previous masters?"

By "lull" I mean a period of time (years, etc) where there weren't any "stand-out" composers.

Kevin

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That’s a really good question. I think there are always those composers that get the first call from our studio head. In the sixties, if you are doing a western, Elmer Bernstein had to right at the top. Or maybe Rozsa.

But as far as a lull goes, during the period following “The Graduate” when songtracks become all the rage, the list might be shorter or ignored all together in favor of a pop based score.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dinko:
[B]

Bond1965 is evil. for no particular reason.

B]

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Dinko...keep it up and I'll get MIDEVIL on your ass.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bond1965:
Dinko...keep it up and I'll get MIDEVIL on your ass.
James

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Don't tempt me...
But can you do that midevil thing Japanese-style?

quote:

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Originally posted by lars b:
James Newton Howard (Needs a big hit that really makes a mark on the public consciousness.

So, 'The Sixth Sense' didn't make a lot of money eh ??!!??

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Well, it didn't get him anything like LOTR or Harry Potter.

But actually, I don't really see Sixth Sense as a "music" movie. To me a "music" movie is one where the music is almost a character in itself. Sixth Sense needed a low key score that highlighted its scenes and that’s what it got.

I liked it, but it seemed just serviceable. I realize that’s what the picture called for but it didn’t strike me as remarkable. I do like his music and I will certainly attest to liking Dinosaur, Atlantis, and Signs far more.

quote:

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Originally posted by dgoldwas:
Also, JNH at least has an Academy Award nomination... does that count in his favor?

Dan

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Sure it counts! I'm guessing that your A-List as a psuedo Hollywood Mogul would include JNH.