Danny Elfman scores Charlotte's Web
Last week, composer Danny Elfman recorded his score to the new film version
of the beloved children's classic, Charlotte's Web. An 82-piece orchestra, conducted
by Pete Anthony, performed the score over a five-day period at the Newman Scoring
Stage at 20th Century Fox.
Pete Anthony conducts the Hollywood Studio Symphony
Director Gary Winick and composer Danny Elfman
Richard Grant handles the Auricle click-track
The film, directed by Gary Winick, is a live-action adaptation of the novel,
and features Dakota Fanning as Fern, with Julia Roberts voicing Charlotte, as
well as Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, Kathy Bates, John Cleese and more lending
their vocal talents. Elfman's score features Dean Parks and George Doering on
guitar, adding the necessary rustic edge to the emotional music.
George Doering on guitar
Dean Parks on guitar
Pete Anthony and orchestrator Edgardo Simone examine a cue
The music was orchestrated by Steve Bartek, Edgardo Simone, David Slonaker,
and Marc Mann, and mixed by Dennis Sands. Noah Snyder handled the ProTools digital
recording, and music editor Bill Abbot logged the recordings for the mix.
Orchestrators Edgardo Simone and Steve Bartek with composer Danny Elfman and
score mixer Dennis Sands
Orchestrator Mark Mann, music editor Bill Abbot, and assistant music editor
Denise Okimoto
ProTools Digital Recordist Noah Snyder
Towards the end of the last day of the session - with the orchestra well ahead
of schedule - Elfman himself took control of the orchestra and conducted a "wild"
track with the string section.
Danny Elfman conducts the Hollywood Studio Symphony
Pete Anthony, Gary Winick, Danny Elfman, and concertmaster Bruce Dukov
As final visual effects come in, the film's shape is expected
to change a bit, and so additional scoring sessions are planned for later in
the summer. Charlotte's Web will be released by Paramount Pictures on December
20, 2006, just in time for the holidays.