At the “Behind the Music: Composing for Sci-Fi, Horror and Fantasy” panel, presented by CW3PR, fans heard from some of the most gift musical talents on television today about how they entered the realm of musical composition.

Moderated by Bryan Fuller (Pictured above, left), creator of such gems as DEAD LIKE ME and PUSHING DAISIES, the panel consisted of Nathan Barr (TRUE BLOOD), Jim Dooley (PUSHING DAISIES, Pictured above, right), Scott Starrett (THE EVENT, DROP DEAD DIVA), Marco Beltrami (“V,” 3:10 to Yuma), Michael Suby (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, KYLE XY), and Sean Callery (24, BONES).
 
Each credited their current success to sheer luck. But, as anyone who attended this extraordinary panel can attest, luck only plays a small part. Just listening to the melodious sounds they create for some of the hottest shows on television made it abundantly clear that these men are nothing short of genius. They are the Mozarts of our generation. They create the sounds and music that invoke the emotional resonance that we all feel watching the shows we love. For what would “True Blood” be without the curiously intoxicating mix of Cajun tunes back-dropped by something almost otherworldly? Or would 24 have felt as intense without the piercingly riveting sounds reminding us of the ever-present clock ticking down?

Music is perhaps the most subtle form of manipulation on television. It is what draws us in, holds us and sometimes kicks us in the gut. Even the briefest of sounds can launch viewers out of their seats or bring down a rain of painful tears. Listening to each of the talented panelists, it is a reminder that television without the gift of extraordinary sound, is but a series of moving images across the screen. A few interesting tidbits from the panel included:

Bryan Fuller noted that one of the reasons he loves sci-fi music is because it allows going places outside our normal reality.  It allows for the use of instruments that would normally not be used. 

Nathan Barr agreed and said that for TRUE BLOOD he wanted to steer clear of the typical Southern sound and tried to incorporate instead more around-the-world sounds.  He even uses a “human bone” trumpet from Tibet which creates a weird resonance which is used on the show.

Jim Dooley shared that for PUSHING DAISIES each episode paid homage to an earlier film or television work and it was fun to use the DAISIES lens on those sounds and music.

Mike Suby said that for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES one of the techniques he likes to employ is using normal instruments, but then ringing or stretching each sound until it is dead or unrecognizable.  When sounds that one normally hears are stretched to nearly breaking, they are no longer recognizable and thus more interesting.

Sean Callery added that for 24, there were so many deaths on the show that they liked to use subliminal subtexts through music — to get underneath what was going on and invoke an emotional response.  He also noted that each character had their own musical theme, which helped weave the multitude of characters into the story over the course of an entire season.

When asked who were their musical inspirations, each replied:
- For Scott, it was John Adams.
- For Marco, it was Bernard Hermann.
- For Nathan, it was Bach.
- For Sean, it was John Williams work in Star Wars.
- For Mike, it was Alice in Chains.

One of the lighter moments of the panel was when asked about the challenges of composing, and as some of the panelists shared their frustrations in matching up their musical vision to the director’s visual ideas, Scott inserted that it is usually not a problem for him and humorously added, “We’re talking about aliens here — you have to acknowledge the craziness going on!”

Marco also revealed that his current work on Scre4m (aka Scream 4) is especially fun as he enjoys working with Wes Craven and it is cool to score the metamorphosis of Neve Campbell’s character.

As the panel discussed some of the mechanics of scoring for television, they emphasized that to make it in the industry, one has to be working out of Los Angeles or New York and that it is an all-consuming thing — it takes an inordinate amount of time to score for television and the time constraints can mean that one ends up working 16-17 hours a day for 6 days straight to meet the requirements of scoring 42 minutes of television a week; and as much as they would all love to work with live orchestras, there just is not enough money in the budget to make that happen on a regular basis.  Despite the time and money constraints, as Mike noted, composing gets under your skin.  It becomes such an integral part of you that you cannot shut it off.  Your whole life is living and breathing your work.

When asked how to handle that kind of pressure and stress, Jim replied, “Did you see The Devil’s Advocate?  It becomes: do you fold or do you focus?”  It is all about the love for the show and the experience.  It is what pushes you and it becomes your life.

Scoring for a film or television show is an amazing experience and one which none of the panelists would trade for anything.  It is their life-blood and legacy — and we are all the more richer for it.

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Schadel

Prior to the recent Paley Festival 2009 screening of the final three episodes of PUSHING DAISIES, stars Chi McBride, Ellen Greene and creator Bryan Fuller took to the stage to deliver a heartfelt and emotional thank-you to the show’s dedicated and passionate fan base. A thank-you that this TV Addict took the liberty of recording in an effort to hold back the tears as Ellen Greene poured her heart out on stage so that we could share it with you just prior to tomorrow night at 10PM, when ABC begins to air the first of the final three fantastic episodes of this now officially brilliant-but-cancelled series.

RIP PUSHING DAISIES.

Having no life is finally about to pay off! Thanks to today’s announcement courtesy of ABC that the remaining episodes of some of your favorite brilliant-but-cancelled series will burn off their final batch of episodes throughout the summer on Saturdays at 10PM. With PUSHING DAISIES airing on Saturday May 30th through Saturday June 13 at 10PM, ELI STONE airing from June 20 through July 11, and DIRTY SEXY MONEY from July 18 through August 8.

Good News: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER star Alyson Hannigan and husband Alexis Denisof welcomed a baby girl into the world on March 24 in Los Angeles. Bad News: Thus putting an end to one of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER’s most entertaining fourth season quirks: “How are they going to hide Alyson’s baby bump this week?” [Source]

Good News: New 90210 showrunner Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair let it slip to EW’s Michael Ausiello that as part of the big changes heading into the show’s second season, actor Dustin Milligan who plays the utterly vapid Ethan Ward is getting the boot. Bad News: So to are original West Bev’ers Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty and Tori Spelling, with Rebecca RKS conceding that, “”I think the center lies with the generation of kids that are in high school now. I’m not interested in casting people for stunt value.” [Source]

Good News: PUSHING DAISIES has just been added to theWB.com’s ever-expanding lineup of TV Addict favorites. Bad News: Favorites that are still only available to those inside the good Ol’ US of A. [Source]

Good News: UGLY BETTY fans can breath a sigh of relief thanks to Michael Ausiello, who is reporting that ABC is on the verge of picking up the series for a fourth season. Bad News: Which is ironic, because we’re fairly sure that it was Ausiello himself who was responsible for all the ugly cancellation rumors to begin with! [Source]

The TV Addict: Look people, “Ask the Addict” is a two way street. One that only works when you actually take the time to you know, ASK THE ADDICT! Which is why we’re back. Because it turns out that more than a few of you have yet to discover google have some really great TV questions which I’m going to do my absolute best to help answer. Ready….

I’ve been pulling my hair out all week long trying to find a pair of 3D glasses in time for Monday’s 3D episode of CHUCK. Help me TV Addict, you’re my only hope. — DownWithFulcrum

The TV Addict: The good news is that according to our sources, and by sources I of course am referring to NBC’s official CHUCK news page, 3D glasses can be picked up for free at any of the the following retail locations: Kroger, Ralph’s, Frys, Safeway/Vons, Supervalu, Food Lion, A & P, Pathmark, Coburns, Fresh Brands, Hy Vee, Nash Finch, Roundy’s, Winn Dixie, K-Mart, Dollar General, Hess (select stores), CVS (select geographies), Meijer (on 1/31) and Target (on 1/31). CHUCK’s big news page also claims that, “Should a display’s supply of glasses run out or if a retailer near you does not carry the glasses, consumers can call 1-800-646-2904 to obtain a pair for free.”

The bad news is that if you currently reside outside the United States you’re pretty much out of luck. Unless of course you can scrounge together a cheap pair of plastic sunglasses, a red and blue permanent marker (ie. Sharpie) and a flat piece of clear plastic (ie. a transparency sheet) which combined, can easily be MacGyver’d together to create your very own pair of 3D glasses. Assuming of course you can follow these ridiculously instructions (Click for Video)

[Update] After checking in with our good friends over at NBC publicity, we’ve been informed that our attempt to MacGyver together our very own pair of 3D glasses will not work! Furthermore, viewers must use the “Color Code” glasses as the footage has been processed so it works with the Color Code technology.” D’oh!

Please tell me tonight’s episode of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA more than makes up for what Michael Ausiello called last week’s, “painfully tedious and self-indulgent art film.” — AusholeCharterMember#4

The TV Addict: What can I really tell you about tonight’s episode of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA other than it’s FRAKtastic? Well, it turns out a lot. Because I recently had the pleasure of viewing what I’m calling BSG meets Valkyrie and holy Frak it rocked! Sworn enemies are forced to work together to quash a Zarak and Gaeta led revolt, Starbuck and Lee Adama heat up the flight deck by doing their best Mr & Mrs. Smith impersonation and to cap it all off, the episode ends on a “to be continued…” so exciting that we pretty much can guarantee the death of at least one (possibly two) major characters when the episode concludes.

Is there any hope for a fourth season of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS? — shanemd (via twitter)

The TV Addict: It certainly look so, at least according to Brian Stelter’s incredibly informative TV Decoder Blog which reported this week that, “Ben Silverman, the co-chair of NBC Entertainment, sounds hopeful about a fourth season of the critically acclaimed drama.”

I need 3cc’s of HOUSE scoop, Stat! — ThirteenHater

The TV Addict: Since your insurance only covers you for 2cc’s a scoop, you’re going to have to settle for the following. On Monday’s 100th episode of HOUSE, Foreman’s attempt to sneak Thirteen into the clinical trial will have serious reprecussions for both of their careers. While two of your favorite Princeton Plainsboro docs start off the episode in under the sheets.

Any update on the ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT movie? — BlueMan4ever

The TV Addict: No. But, if you live in Toronto, fall between the ages of 17 and 27 and would like the opportunity to ask lone hold-out Michael Cera himself why he has yet to officially sign on the dotted line, stay tuned to theTVaddict.com next week to discover how you can become an extra on his upcoming film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

Any word as to when the final three episodes of PUSHING DAISIES are going to air? — to_paraphrase (via twitter)

The TV Addict: The facts are these: No. But I can tell you that “the episodes were fantastic!!!” thanks to our good friends over at thepiemaker.com who were lucky enough to be invited by Bryan Fuller himself to a very special exclusive screening of the final three episodes held for the DAISIES cast and crew. And in case you’re wondering, no we’re not at all insanely jealous that our good friends over at thepiemaker.com got to spend an evening with the entire cast of PUSHING DAISIES. Really.

Got a question for the TV Addict, what are you waiting for? Email the TV Addict directly at ask@thetvaddict.com or follow him on twitter at twitter.com/thetvaddict

Good News: On the subject of the now-cancelled PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY, ABC president Stephen McPherson revealed that he “really loved the shows.” Bad News: Just not enough to give the respective showrunners enough time to craft proper series endings or to make room on the schedule to air their remaining episodes.
[Source]

Good News: NBC has given early season pickups to THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK and THE BIGGEST LOSER. Bad News: While the fates of LIFE, LIPSTICK JUNGLE, CHUCK and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS hang in the balance. [Source]

Good News: After far too long a hiatus, tonight marks the beginning of the end for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Bad news: It’s the beginning of the END! What the Frak are we all going to do when the show is over?

Another thing that should come as no surprise to readers of theTVaddict.com is that Fuller’s imminent return to HEROES got this TV Addict thinking. Would it not be delicious if Fuller lessened the blow of DAISIES demise by bringing some of our PUSHING DAISIES favorites over to the HEROES world. Just imagine the possibilities:

The Narrator: Who lulls you in with his dulcet tones only to leave you confounded and confused by his quick-witted verbal patter.

The Pie Maker: Who on the surface sounds harmless. Until one quickly realizes just how unhealthy an endless supply of pies really are. Death by pastry… not nearly as funny or unrealistic as one might imagine!

The Siren: Now admittedly, “The Siren” isn’t exactly an original idea. But let’s face it, neither are ordinary people discovering that they have extraordinary abilities. That and we’re willing to bet dollars to daisies that Kristen Chenoweth could eviscerate by simply belting out a high “C”

Good News: TERMINATOR THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES delivered two fairly shocking reveals in last night’s can’t miss episode. Bad News: With a season low 4.62 million viewers, most of you missed it! Begging the question, what’s the deal? [Source]

Good News: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA unveils an epic final season promo. Bad News: There’s still 49 days until the Frakkin’ season premiere! [See Video]

Good News: Horatio Sanz reveals his weight loss secret. Bad News: Turns out eating better and exercise are kind of a big deal. Which is a shame, because this TV Addict was sort of hoping his ‘secret’ didn’t involve eating less burgers, pizza and hot dogs. [Source]

ABC has officially pulled the plug on PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY.

And while the Alphabet Network has yet to ‘officially’ cancel the shows — most likely to avoid the deluge of lipstick that NBC is currently accumulating as a result of their shoddy treatment of LIPSTICK JUNGLE. Entertainment Weekly, E! Online and The Hollywood Reporter have all gone ahead, and ‘exclusively’ reported that all three shows will not be shooting any episodes past their initial 13 episode order.

That said, there is a silver lining to this troubling trifecta of cancellations. In what will undoubtedly be seen as a futile attempt to cushion the blow, ABC has announced that they’ve ordered four more episodes of the season’s best new show LIFE ON MARS in addition to confirming that SCRUBS will make its Alphabet Network debut on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m.

Once again, this Awfully Bad Cancellation News not to mention incredibly lame acronym has been brought to you by ABC. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.