The Best Music in Film

William Camilleri

S&S: What is your favourite film soundtrack music and why do you like it so much?
"My favourite film soundtrack is The Lion King (1994) as this music stands alone in its own right, as well as having a very good theme-by this I mean good melodic lines; emotion which is rare in most films: majesty and power. Added to this I like the way Hans Zimmer included Elton John's songs thus making the whole thing appealing to all age groups, which contributed to making it a worldwide hit."

S&S: In what ways does music best enhance a film?
"Music best enhances a film by depicting the event, situation, and mood exactly as it is, however very strong film themes are lacking in most films today and one of the most important factors is emotion which has the power to connect to the audience. The music should be there to assist the film to bring out the very best in it. One example that comes to mind is the theme of Forrest Gump (1994) where Alan (Sivlestri) depicted the main character of the film with his childlike yet powerful, melodic theme..."

Orlando,USA  01/28/2007  
     
INTERVIEW WITH COMPOSER WILLIAM CAMILLERI
DOROTA SILAJ TALKS TO WILLIAM CAMILLERI

Dorota: Why music?

William: As a child at around 3 years old I was totally captured by music. I started playing the violin and recorder very easily then switched to the drums in my teens, then the piano without any lessons, I am totally self taught in all instruments, although most of my compositions are done on the piano.

Dorota: You are an outstanding composer, outstanding pianist, drummer, and percussionist. Your name is on the top lists of producers, directors. What do you think is so unique in your music?

William: What makes my music so unique is that I compose the whole piece of music in as I perform from beginning to end, effortlessly like Bach and Mozart. Well to be honest, today there are so many people who call themselves composers and are not. A Film Composer is primarily a composer of music and there are very few that I would call real composers today if any at all... I think my powerful use of melody and the emotional impact my music has on people makes it so unique, I think my music speaks far better than I do and would re-direct people to my website www.filmworks-online.com where they can judge for themselves. It is also interesting to note I get approximately 50,000 Hits per month on my website worldwide without any advertising, together with e-mails from world famous musicians and people in the Film industry daily asking to work with me, sending me published books, screenplays and quite a lot of stuff!

Dorota: To what other composers you can compare you music?

William: None, my music is totally unique; however my piano music was compared to Liszt some time ago by a top American Professor and Martin Harry at Sony

Classical told me that he had heard thousands of concert pianists but never in his career as A&R Manager did he hear piano music as unique as mine and urged me not to stop playing, which of course I didn’t!

Dorota: How important is music in a film?

William: Critically important Dorota: What music mean to you? William: When I compose music I make a statement about what I feel and express my deepest emotions, my music is sheer inspiration.

Dorota: Any future plans?

William: Yes quite a few! I have just finished The Velvet Abstract with Barbed Wire in LA and am privileged to be represented as a Film Composer by Sandra Marsh Management in Beverly Hills, CA, USA whose slogan is The Finest talent behind the Camera, a top Hollywood company.

Dorota: What would you like to change in the existing world of music or film if you could? Do you think we need changes?

William: Very often in the world of film music people make or create sound not music, this is partly due to modern technology and the rest is lack of real talent. Yes we desperately need a change that is what I am trying my best to achieve through my music and musical statements. What happened to the time when the score was as important as the film

Dorota: What would you like to tell people who are moved by the power of you music?

William: My music is a message of hope…a voice in the storm. One of my goals is to give Film music a serious comeback, kinda like Vangelis did on Chariots of Fire.

Dorota: Where can we buy your CDs?

William: At www.filmworks-online.com for the time being, although to be honest I will only be selling soundtracks.

Dorota: Thank you for the interview.

William: Thank you! My pleasure,

William Camilleri was interviewed by top Orlando Journalist Dorota Silaj in January 2007.