The Knowledge - Christopher Gordon
The Knowledge is a series of interviews with leading screen industry figures, conducted by experienced film journalist Andrew Urban and published via the CSB blog.
Christopher Gordon - biography
Composer Christopher Gordon is based in Sydney. He has recently completed commissioned works for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Sydney Children’s Choir, Tucana Flute Quartet, and the Manhattan Brass Quintet. Christopher has composed for many of Australia’s major celebrations, including the Opening Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games 2006 and the Rugby World Cup Sydney 2003; the Centenary of Federation of Australia 2001; and co-composed music for the Millennium Eve international telecast. In 2006 he was commissioned by the Prime Minister of Australia to arrange the official version of the Australian National Anthem.As an orchestral arranger Christopher Gordon has written for such diverse artists as Augie March, Kate Ceberano, Cello Diva, The Church, Judi Connelli, Iva Davies, Diana Doherty, John Farnham, Neil Finn, Delta Goodrem, Sydney Children’s Choir, Australian Chamber Orchestra, and Melbourne, Sydney and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.
Christopher has written a number of scores for film and television, including the EMMY-nominated score for Salem’s Lot, Sanctuary, Moby Dick, Sydney, A Story of a City, On the Beach, When Good Ghouls Go Bad, Much Ado About Something, Baba’s Birthday, and Ward 13. He also co-composed the score to Peter Weir’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His scores have received wide international acclaim and many Australian Screen Music Awards. He has conducted and/or orchestrated the film scores for Mary Bryant, The Bet, The Event, ManThing, Inspector Gadget 2, Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Horses: The Story of Equus, Changi, Moulin Rouge, When Stangers Appear, The Magic Pudding, Africa’s Elephant Kingdom, Dead Letter Office, Paws and Joey.
Chapter 1 - The art and business of composing - 12 minutes
- Decided to be film composer at 13
- Moved in and out of classical and rock worlds
- Became a business after a decade, with Moby Dick, 1997
- Have worked a lot for American producers
- The business evolved
- Got a US agent in 2001 out of necessity
- Negotiate own deals outside film (and with small budget films)
- The business exists so I can write music, not the other way around
- Scoring for Master & Commander opened a lot more doors
Video downloads
Chapter 2 - Establishing a reputation and managing the finances - 15 minutes
- Known as an orchestral composer, but am now looking at electronic/techno score
- Frustrating to be pigeon-holed
- Commonwealth Games – opening theme
- On The Beach – traded off money for copyright ownership
- Budgeting & instrumentation & recording
- Royalty stream from Master & Commander is substantial
- Equipment costs and Los Angeles visits (marketing costs)
- Accountant & bookkeeper on hand
Video downloads
Chapter 3 - Diversification - 13 minutes
- Diversification & mentoring
- Classical concerts as balance to film composing
- The writing process
- Costing of the music production process
- Marketing trips – set up with agent
- Appearing ‘capable & reliable’ at the meeting
Video downloads
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