Star Trek XI score

[gastrof]

As I said, it was a mistake not to, but the simple fact is that TAS did not use the TOS themesong.

It used enough familiar elements to be a great "sequel" to the TOS theme. Perfect!

It used Shatner's voiceover, and....?

Nothing else.

Even the opening notes were different, tho' intended to "be in the spirit of", which is always annoying to me. Either do it or don't, but don't try to "be similar to". Why bother? If you like the original so much, why try to ape it? Why not USE it?

I think something from earlier in this thread tells us why. Enough people would pay only slight attention, and really believe it was the same tune as TOS, so they could pass it off AS the original tune.

In the meantime, no need to pay anyone royalties, since the TAS tune was likely done as "work for hire".

This one element comes across as cheapskating.

 

[Therin of Andor]

If you like the original so much, why try to ape it? Why not USE it?

Because the Courage/Roddenberry music was licensed to TOS, a Paramount (ex Desilu) series. TAS was being made by Filmation and Norway Corp. Paramount would have charged them a premium to use it.

Why doesn't the Simon & Schuster Audioworks Star Trek books-on-tape feature the familiar ST theme music? Same reason. It's cheaper, in the long run, for S&S to have all-new music composed for the tapes.

In the meantime, no need to pay anyone royalties, since the TAS tune was likely done as "work for hire".

They're talking about Filmation/Norway paying the copyright owner of the TOS tune, not the TAS theme.

This one element comes across as cheapskating.

So does all animation. They couldn't afford Chekov, or spacesuits either. Or more than six new episodes in Season Two.

 

[MisterPL]

So long as it's something I can dance to while throwing tribbles at the screen to illustrate my dissatisfaction, I'll be content.

 

[OneBuckFilms]

I would expect something like this:

The film should have it's own themes, have a large orchestral style vaguely reminiscent of the Original Series scores by Alexander Courage and Gerald Fried, et al.

Since this is pretty much an Origin Story, the Alexander Courage fanfare should be alluded to during the score, but only heard in full at the end, when the Original Series is born, and the crew has come together as we know them for the First Time.

Mission: Impossible III is a good model for the approach, but using the same wizdom David Arnold showed for Casino Royale with regards to the Star Trek Fanfare and possibly the theme.

BTW, for those wondering about other composers quoting the Star Trek theme beyond the fanfare, there are 3 occasions where this has occurred in the movies:

- A couple of times in Star Trek: TMP, when Spock repairs the Enterprise and there's a "Captain's Log" sequence. This was arranged, and I think conducted, by Alexander Courage, using the Blaster Beam instrument and orchestrations that matched Goldsmith's majestic score.
- At the end of Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, James Horner used the Original Theme from "Jim. You're name, is Jim!" and builds until the End Credits reprises his Star Trek II End Credits.
- A similar things was done when the Enterprise A launches and goes to warp at the end of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and the picture closes.

 

[Warp Coil]

Giacchino will no doubt pay homage to TOS and possibly even TMP, but I suspect that 90-95% of the score will be all-new.

 

[Iamnotspock]

If you like the original so much, why try to ape it? Why not USE it?

Because the Courage/Roddenberry music was licensed to TOS, a Paramount (ex Desilu) series. TAS was being made by Filmation and Norway Corp. Paramount would have charged them a premium to use it.

Indeed, but it had the unfortunate effect of sounding like the original theme performed by an orchestra and composer who couldn't quite remember it properly...

I'm looking forward to hearing the new score. I love the previous Trek movie scores (especially the work of Jerry Goldsmith), and it will be nice to hear something new. The inclusion of the original fanfare in the teaser trailer sent a shiver down my spine, and Michael Giacchino seems like the perfect choice to compose the score based on his approach to MI:III. I hope whatever he does will be a fitting tribute to the late Alexander Courage.

 

[M'Sharak]

If you like the original so much, why try to ape it? Why not USE it?

Because the Courage/Roddenberry music was licensed to TOS, a Paramount (ex Desilu) series. TAS was being made by Filmation and Norway Corp. Paramount would have charged them a premium to use it.

Indeed, but it had the unfortunate effect of sounding like the original theme performed by an orchestra and composer who couldn't quite remember it properly...

No doubt because the composer gave the series producers exactly what they asked for: something which sounds sort of like, but isn't, this other music over here which we'd like to suggest, but don't wish to copy exactly. Alex North's discarded score for 2001: A Space Odyssey suffers from the same shortcoming.

 

[Nimravus]

They'd better use that fight music, or so help me...

That being said, I don't particularly care what music they use. None of the other movies felt the need to use the original scoring, and neither should this one. I don't understand why so many people don't treat this like just another Star Trek movie. (admittedly, it is "restarting" the series, so in some respects it deserves the treatment)

 

[Mr. Fergy]

^Agreed.

 

[OneBuckFilms]

They'd better use that fight music, or so help me...

That being said, I don't particularly care what music they use. None of the other movies felt the need to use the original scoring, and neither should this one. I don't understand why so many people don't treat this like just another Star Trek movie. (admittedly, it is "restarting" the series, so in some respects it deserves the treatment)

Without seeing the movie, it is difficult to assess the role the music should play.

On the other hand, this movie IS DIFFERENT from "just another Star Trek Movie" in that it is an Origin Story, and made by a new creative team.

For most of the Star Trek films, Alexander Courage's prologue fanfare has been used as a signature that this is Star Trek.

There is a significant, and highly relevent, musical heritage, and referencing something of the style of the Original Series is appropriate, since this is the start of the Original Series.

The music for the Original Series is part of it's soul, just like Phasers and the Enterprise, and the Whoosh sound of the doors opening.

Although the score should do what the on-screen drama requires, part of this heritage should be acknowledged, and perhaps integrated where appropriate.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

They're using the TOS TV series theme.

 

[Space Cowboy]

After seeing Casino Royale, the score might be almost entirely unique to this film, with the original theme coming into play as the Enterprise fades into the distance to continue on to its five year mission.

 

[Sector 7]

Don't forget Michael Giacchino also did the score for one of my favorite movies-- The Incredibles! He beautifully captured the feel of 1960s superheroes and jazz of the era. It set the tone for the whole film.
I guess you can say I'm jazzed about it!

 

[ShinRa Actual]

I have to say, I've been a fan of Giacchino since he started out in Video games (Lost World for the Playstation does a good job of being Jurassic Park-y, without slavishly copying John Williams). I don't expect to be overly disappointed, no matter what he 'homages' or not.

He did a similarly great job capturing the whole WWII movie feel for Secret Weapons over Normandy (Shades of Midway, or Tora Tora Tora)

 

[Iamnotspock]

They're using the TOS TV series theme.

You know, I have to say why not? I think the original theme is much more dated in its arrangement than its composition. I feel it could work, given the right orchestration.

 

[Outpost4]

^ Yes, definitely so. Check out this thread.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

That rules.

 

[Psion]

That was amazing. Somebody get that man a sombrero!

 

[M'Sharak]

^ Yes, definitely so. Check out this thread.

I didn't read the rest of the thread, but that's a nice job.

 

[Outpost4]

That was amazing. Somebody get that man a sombrero!