Danny Elfman Batman Returns Interview

[PostCardSender]

..nerdy fifteen year old speaking. those exact words have come out of my mouth more than once.

[WindPilgrim]

"Some nerdy 15 year old"...Danny Elfman saw into my future.

[Apocalyptikai]

One day, I'll have sex with Cat Woman.

[GamerTara328]

I was 15 listening to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and instantly knew it was Danny Elfman. He and John Williams are my top favorites!

[yisacknayrabin]

"From his ear, to the synthesizer, to the orchestra." Right... without Steve Bartek, Scott Smalley and Shirley Walker, Danny would have been playing his scores on a DX7. If anyone out there identifies Danny Elfman as a composer of orchestral music, it's ENTIRELY because of Steve, Shirley, Scott, et al. When these orchestrators represent about 85% of what the listener hears, it is IMPERATIVE that we acknowledge that they have in fact more to do with "Danny Elfman's sound" than he ever did.

[drewkingsbury]

@yisacknayrabin Why the harshness toward Elfman? I'm sure he works closely WITH the orchestrators to get the right sound, and leaves his own handprint on the instruments and arrangements chosen. 

[yisacknayrabin]

@drewkingsbury Sorry if the truth hurts man. Danny makes a lot of money, don't worry, he'll be fine. There's just no reason why people shouldn't be aware and appreciative of how this music is made, and of the orchestrators who've made it possible. Danny's a nice guy, and has grown quite a bit as a composer over the years. I think he writes some very nice ideas. But credit where credit is due. Anyone who thinks he goes in a room alone and comes out with orchestral music is living in the dark.

[Marcatolegato]

@yisacknayrabin Nope - you're wrong - the music is entirely his - Danny writes a sketch - very detailed - the thing that the orchestrator does is to take his scetch and put it to full score - there they might add some doubling (could be real doubling or cue) - in the end the music is still what danny wants.

[thisxgreatxdecay]

Lol, nerdy 15-year-olds recognizing his scores. He just described me! But he was off by a year. He would have been 100% correct last year.

[CausesSideEffects]

danny elfman.. you gotta love him!!!

[ErickHerrera93]

I always recognize his scores! He frequently uses choir and blaring aggressive brass and strings. He also tends to combine orchestral sounds with digital sounds.

[EmpireLS56KW]

All film composers have a signature tonal sound to their works…all!

John Williams

John Barry

Jerry Goldsmith

James Horner

Danny Elfman

Hans Zimmer

Howard Shore

The list is endless.

[cocomos22]

@EmpireLS56KW This is true of all artists in all art forms. What you are hearing is essentially their "style". If you go to an Oingo Boingo concert, you go to hear music made by them. If you go to an Oingo Boingo concert expecting a solo by Van Halen... well then you would end up wanting your money back.

[madmadog29]

I guess imma nerdy teenager XD

[AtlanaKing]

If only danny was younger... But even if he is a bit too old for me I do not care. Hes just far too awesome.

[death80]

he's right. I usually can peg off a elfman score from most movies and etc.

[cartmanschick88]

Danny, I love you. Seriously. You and John Williams are my absolute favorites. One day, I hope I can work on a movie, at least in some way, shape, or form. It would be great to leave behind an epic score.

[PrinceMustDie666]

The movie was a worthless piece of shit, not even Elfman could save it. He is, true genius even so.

[GemStealth]

O yes nolans sorry films cant compare 2 burtons darkness.

[JediMasterLego]

this movie was freaking awesome.

and anyone who thinks what you thought, is freaking blind!

[20kiv10]

-1000000000

[metalsluggx]

danny elfman is genius

[psmtheman]

NO formal training? Bullshit. HE went to France to study orchestration for YEARS!

[synthtron2000]

I think he means in terms of learning to play and compose.

[allaboutdmagic]

Yup, Matt Groening and Tim Burton used to go see Boingo's shows in L.A.

[BROKENHOUSEFILMS]

no formal training...and now the greatest film composer of our time

[carlitos07way]

this man inspired me. this is what i want to do for a living. make films and score them..

[mitzurien]

danny elfman who sung the voice of jack!

[BekahSparrow]

Danny Elfman is so great. :)

[backlyt]

wow. you have no idea what you're talking about.

[friendofstewart]

But DAnny I want to hear you sing!!

[dudemansam4189]

NO FORMAL TRAINING?!?!?!? Wow...that makes me sad :P

[MajorFilmMusic]

Wow i didn't know Danny Elfman had no formal training in music...Just like ME, I suck in the theory in music. That really puts a good thought in my mind now. As long as your music is good.

[JonAndCallum]

Danny elfman made the simpsons theme aswell

[Director705]

Too bad most people have no idea that he did, it's probably the most well known theme from television history, that or Friends of course.

[MagnumStellarz]

1:55

lol too true

[guashin]

yeah!!! nerdy 21 year old.....although I listen to Elfman's music since I was 13

[tham1chen1IND]

he's the coolest composer.. look how he looks so casual in the orchestra.. i just like themes.. right from the batman days till now,WANTED he has proved himself..! hat's off DANNY..!

[68ioweyou]

i'm that nerdy fifteen year old, and sure i get crap for it, but it's worth it! elfman forever!

[sexoandpsycho]

DANNY ELFMAN ROCKS

[NichtGesund]

Oh, Danny, how I love thee. <3

[HachiRoku4586]

I'm the nerdy 19 year old who recognised them playing the Elfman Batman score in my local cinema waiting for adverts before The Dark Knight to start!

[citizenerased1991]

haha me and my sister watch the Apprentice for the movie music they use and shout which movies they are used in :P

[RiaElfietwo]

I'm the nerdy 20-something that recognized the Edward Scissorhands score playing over the audio system of the theater, walking out of Nightmare Before Christmas 3D last year, not kidding!

[fendercarlin]

"some nerdy 15 yr old says I recognize that ..it's Danny Elfman" HA! I guess I must be some nerdy 30something that recognizes his work!

Even my middle school students know the Batman theme when they hear it some 16 years after this statement! I guess you were right Danny!

[saytheremeg]

This is great, I've never seen this interview! I love Danny's work. And usually when I recognize it, I DO say something like, "Hey, this sounds like a Danny Elfman score!"

[FuzzyDuck]

Thanks for uploading this! My very favorite composer, and a highly underrated film, too.