The Sound of Hollywood
Max Steiner and his inheritence
SCRIPTWRITER and DIRECTOR Jacob Groll
CAMERA Robert Neumüller
SOUND Roland Winkler, Hans Schranz
MUSIC Gerrit Wunder
EDITOR Michael Schubert
CONCEPT Sandra Tomek
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Sandra Tomek, Clemens Loinger
PRODUCTION MANAGER Peter Thomsen
FORMAT Digi-Beta 16:9, stereo • 43.30 min.
PRODUCED 2008-2009
COMLETED October 2009
A Co-production of the German-Austrian-Swiss TV station 3Sat, the Austrian Broadcast Company (ORF) and WEGA Film.
Financial support from Filmfonds Austria and Vienna Film Fund.
Synopsis
Max Steiner (1988-1971) is known as the father of film music. His compositions gave birth to the so-called "Sound of Hollywood."
It was in America in 1933 that the immigrant from Vienna, Max Steiner, made his breakthrough with his music for the horror movie, "King Kong." He was one of the first film composers to use symphonic scores to intensify the dramatic effect of the film. He also composed his music to underpin dialogue to strengthen the emotional effect it would have on audiences.
This was Max Steiner's musical signature. His scores for "Casablanca“ and for "Gone with the Wind" would soon be recognized as film music masterpieces. He was nominated 24 times for an Oscar and won three.
Modern film music has by now a different rhythm and tone. Max Steiner was a recognized pioneer for the new generation of film composers.
This documentary from Jacob Groll shows a very personal picture of this extraordinary sound artist and builds a strong connection to the important film composers of today.
