On August 19, 1999 the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences held a reception in conjunction with the Society of Composers and Lyricists for the 1999 Primetime Emmy Nominees (and Daytime Winners) in the Music and Lyrics categories. This was the ceremony at which the Nominees received their plaques commemorating their nominations, and it also provided a nice relaxed atmosphere for people to chat with one another.

I had a moment to talk to a few composers (and a few nominees) about their current and upcoming projects.

Composer Lynn Kowal, who composed the theme to "Homicide: Life on the Streets", gave us an update. She is currently working on a new solo album, which will be released on her own label, Curly Girl Music. The album, called "Delicate One", contains songs written and performed by Kowal, and should be out by the end of September.

"X-Files" composer (and Nominee) Mark Snow has a new film coming out this fall, entitled Crazy In Alabama. This film also marks the directorial debut of Antonio Banderas. In addition to his "X-Files" duties, he is also working on a new Chris Carter television show (now that "Millenium" has been cancelled) called "Harsh Realm" that will air this fall on Fox.

Mark Adler, who won the Emmy this year for Music Direction for The Rat Pack is currently working on a film based on the classic story, "Flowers for Algernon". The television film adaptation will air on CBS next February.

Veteran television composer Alf Clausen received his 20th Emmy Nomination this year, marking his 13th for "The Simpsons". He has been working on scoring four holdover episodes from last season of "The Simpsons" which will air this fall, and as such, doesn't have much time for any side projects.

Marco Beltrami received his first Emmy nomination for David and Lisa. Since the fall (when we spoke with Marco), he has worked on quite a few films, including The Minus Man, Deep Water, The Faculty, and The Crow III. He is currently beginning work on Scream 3, which is scoring in October, and will be released in theaters December 10th.

Lee Holdridge, who was nominated for his work on The Mutiny, has just completed work on an epic film about the first 50 years of Israel. This feature film was produced by the same team as the Oscar-winning documentary, "The Long Way Home", and should be out later this year.

Danny Lux has been keeping very busy in the television world, with his work on "Ally McBeal", "Sliders", "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch", and others. Now he adds another show to his busy schedule: "Ally", a half-hour condensed version of "Ally McBeal" which uses unused scenes to expand upon plotlines from the series.

Composer John Ottman has been very busy lately working on his directorial debut, Urban Legend II, which he also plans to score. Next year will also see him score the highly anticipated feature film adaptation of X-Men.

 

 

 

The Emmy Results (winners are in BOLD):

OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A SERIES (DRAMATIC UNDERSCORE)

Fantasy Island • Pilot • ABC • Glenhill Productions, Inc. in association with Columbia Tristar

John Ottman, Composer

The Simpsons • Treehouse of Horror IX • FOX • Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television

Alf Clausen, Composer

The X-Files • S.R. 819 • FOX • Ten Thirteen Productions in association with 20th Century Fox TV

Mark Snow, Composer

Xena: Warrior Princess • Devi • SYN • Renaissance Pictures in association with Studios USA

Joseph Lo Duca, Composer

Invasion America • Final Mission • WB • Dreamworks Animation

Carl Johnson, Composer

 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE (DRAMATIC UNDERSCORE

Mutiny • NBC • Revelations Entertainment/Big Productions/NBC Studios

Lee Holdridge, Composer

Oprah Winfrey Presents: David And Lisa • ABC • Harpo Films, Inc.

Marco Beltrami, Composer

Rear Window • ABC • Babelsberg International Film Production

David Shire, Composer

Winnie The Pooh, A Valentine For You • ABC • Walt Disney Television Animation

Carl Johnson, Composer

Alice In Wonderland • NBC • Hallmark Entertainment in association with Babelsberg International Film Production

Richard Hartley, Composer

 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION

71st Annual Academy Awards • ABC • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Bill Conti, Music Director

And The Beat Goes On: The Sonny And Cher Story • ABC • Larry Thompson Organization

Steve Tyrell, Music Director

Christmas In Washington • NBC • New Liberty Productions

Ian Fraser, Music Director

Janet: The Velvet Rope • HBO • A Picture Vision Production in association with jdj Entertainment, Inc.

Rex Salas, Music Director

The Temptations • Part 1 • NBC • de Passe Entertainment in association with Babelsberg International Film Productions, GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG

Daniel Carlin, Music Director

The Rat Pack • HBO • A Home Box Office Production/A Neal H. Moritz/Original Film Production

Mark Adler, Music Director

 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC AND LYRICS

Home Improvement • The Long And Winding Road • ABC • Song title:

"We've Got It All" • Wind Dancer Production Group in association with Touchstone Television

Dan Foliart, Composer/Lyricist

Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular • #118 • FX • Song title:

"FreedomDot Com" • Buccieri & Weiss Productions in association with FX Networks

Gary Stockdale, Composer; Penn Jillette, Teller, Colman deKay, Lyricists

Winnie The Pooh, A Valentine For You • ABC • Song title:

"Places In The Heart" • Walt Disney Television Animation

Michael Silversher, Composer; Patty Silversher, Lyricist

You Lucky Dog • The Disney Channel • Song title:

"Togetherness" • Finnegan-Pinchuk in association with Disney Channel

David Michael Frank, Composer; Todd Smallwood, Lyricist

AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies • CBS • Song title:

"A Ticket To Dream" • American Film Institute presentation in association with Smith Hemion Productions

Marvin Hamlisch, Composer; Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Lyricists

 

OUTSTANDING MAIN TITLE THEME MUSIC

The PJs • FOX • Imagine Television, The Murphy Company and The Will Vinton Studios in association with Touchstone TV

Q D-III, Composer; George Clinton, Larita Norman, Marie Norman, Lyricists

Profiler • NBC • NBC Productions

Danny Lux, Composer

VIP • SYN • LaFitte Productions

Frankie Blue, Composer

Viva Variety • Comedy Central • RickMill Productions, Inc. in association with Comedy Partners

Glen Roven, Composer; Ben Garant, Lyricist

Trinity • NBC • A John Wells Production in association with Warner Bros. Television

Martin Davich, Composer

 

Very special thanks to Ray Costa for his continual support and guidance

Related Composers: Marco Beltrami Alf Clausen John Ottman Mark Snow