From Deseret News archives:
Composer Chance Thomas sets the tone for virtual adventures
His last project was creating the score for "Peter Jackson's 'King Kong' " game.
"When I was called on to do that game," Thomas said by phone from his Northern California studio, "it was before James Newton Howard was assigned to do the movie soundtrack. I thought the game creators would shoot me off sections from (the movie score) and have me rework them. But that wasn't the case. I was informed that the score for the video game was to be an all-original work."
Thomas, a former Utah resident and Brigham Young University graduate, said he had to get into the feel of the project before he started. "I went to France and met with the game-design team. I came home with a load of drawings and designs from the game. So I put up the drawings of the Skull Island in my studio. Skull Island is a pretty scary place and having those pictures up made the studio a different world."
In fact, the descending notes of "Kong's Theme: a Tragic Hero" on the soundtrack didn't emerge until halfway through the project. "I related to the story. While some may say it's a love story between Ann Darrow and King Kong, I see it a little different.
"It's like a relationship you have with your rottweiler. You look out for it and protect it from getting hit by cars and things like that. At the same time, the rottweiler looks out for you. That, to me, is the relationship between Ann and Kong. Kong took on a protective role over Ann. And she did, as well."
Still, a game soundtrack needs to enhance the overall game play, said Thomas. "Game music is so easy to shut off. I've done it. I know a lot of people who do it. They play the game with other music on. So, when I make music for a game, I want to make sure that it's the best music for the game.
"I like to say that my music will play you like you play the game. The music needs to make you sweat. It needs to make you cry. It needs to tap into your emotions to be effective."
Comments
- Ways to help others in need 7:49 p.m.
- Woman delivers grandchild 7:49 p.m.
- Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 7:10 p.m.
- Militia movement resurfaces in U.S. 6:36 p.m.
- U.S. wages war on AIDS in Vietnam 6:35 p.m.
- Radio traffic reports may be fading 6:33 p.m.
- Wildcats pounded by the Tribe 5:40 p.m.
- TSA gets Grinchy with snow globes 4:34 p.m.
- Luxury resort in depressed Rhode Is. 4:34 p.m.
- Jones' joy for life remembered 4:09 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
273 - Cougars beat Utes, 26-23
150 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
114 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Letters: Trump card for believers
98 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the holiday retail season...
When "Dancing With The Stars" began more than two months ago, 16 couples...
Comedian Brian Regan, who is scheduled to perform at Abravanel Hall on...
Are Mormons allowed to read fantasy novels? There is no Jesus in the WOT...
I thought the book was OK, but the Crown of Swords was much, much better.
With all the Sr. on BYU's offense weren't they supposed to kill Utah today?...
How novel an approach to the beginning of the festive season!
winning at least the 1st game in the NCAA's. It's been TOO LONG. Forget...
Hey, the all time record is now 53—34—4 in Utah's favor. Or is it...
Time for some humble pie U losers!!!
Well we won but it sure was nasty Glad max will be gone now get rid of...
was in play in 1996 - BYU won against Kansas (or KSU) in Dallas Cotton Bowl -...
Will be seeing 22 in their dreams for the rest of their lives...



You can be the first to comment on this story.