Watch George Lucas, Steven Spielberg & More Salute the Legendary Music of John Williams

John Williams

As the legendary John Williams is getting ready to work on the score for the much-anticipated ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’, we can only imagine what the Maestro will have in store for us. While we wait, a few new clips have been released online showcasing friends and collaborators sharing their thoughts about the music of John Williams.  Check the out!

 

 

At a gala Tribute on June 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, composer John Williams became the recipient of the 44th American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award. The special evening marked the first time in AFI’s history that the award went to a composer. With five Academy Award wins and 49 nominations in total, he has without a doubt earned one of the most coveted Awards in film history.
Williams’ career as a composer boasts over 150 credits across seven decades behind many of the greatest American films and television series of all time. He is best known for collaborating with director’s Steven Spielberg (Jaws (1975), E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and George Lucas (Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) on some of the most iconic and recognizable films in history.

 

AFIJohnWillaims
Filmmaker George Lucas and Composer John Williams at AFI event in June

 

Back in June, we covered the televised special, AFI’s Life Achievemnet Award: A Tribute to John Williams, evening of programming dedicated to the spectacular composer. The night included filmmaker’s George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, director J.J. Abrams, actor Harrison Ford and may other guests expressing their emotional thoughts about his iconic and enduring career in music. Williams also shared his thoughts on what receiving the Award means to him as a composer.

 

J.J.-Abrams-y-John-Williams_ampliacion
Star Wars Episode VIII’s Producer J.J. Abrams and Composer John Williams at the AFI event in June

 

For those of you who didn’t get the chance to see the Awards when it aired back on June 15th 2016 on TNT television, we strongly recommend that you tune in for the encore presentation on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on September 12th. The line-up will feature a night of programming dedicated to Williams as noted on AFI’s Blogspot:

The September 12 TCM lineup, including presentations of AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS and the 2011 special AFI’S MASTER CLASS: THE ART OF COLLABORATION – STEVEN SPIELBERG AND JOHN WILLIAMS, will be as follows:
•8:00 p.m. – AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS
•10:15 p.m. – JAWS (1975)
•12:30 A.M. – AFI’S MASTER CLASS: THE ART OF COLLABORATION – STEVEN SPIELBERG AND JOHN WILLIAMS (2011)
•1:30 a.m. – AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS
•2:45 a.m. – THE COWBOYS (1972)
•5:15 a.m. – GOODBYE MR. CHIPS (1969)

 

In the meantime, you can get an early look at some of the highlights from the Tribute via the American Film Institute’s YouTube channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check back for more Star Wars news here at SWNN daily!

 

May the Force be with you…

 

 

+ posts

30 thoughts on “Watch George Lucas, Steven Spielberg & More Salute the Legendary Music of John Williams

  • August 23, 2016 at 7:44 pm
    Permalink

    Whats copy paste JJ doing there?

    • August 23, 2016 at 8:00 pm
      Permalink

      Saluting the man who just wrote an Oscar-nominated score for his most recent blockbuster film. Duh.

      • August 23, 2016 at 8:40 pm
        Permalink

        People really don’t understand the task JJ had. He wasn’t tasked with making the greatest Star Wars movie of all time. He was tasked with making a good Star Wars movie that would get the masses back into the franchise who had been turned off by the dumpster fire that was the prequels. Mission accomplished. Ep VIII needs to be and will be more original, more impactful, and more artful.

        • August 23, 2016 at 11:26 pm
          Permalink

          Blocked for baiting and trying to rile people up into arguing.

          • August 25, 2016 at 1:35 am
            Permalink

            Literally no one cares.

        • August 24, 2016 at 12:20 am
          Permalink

          @disqus_xSb8ofo5V8:disqus @hjleeuwenvan:disqus
          Re: “He wasn’t tasked with making the greatest Star Wars movie of all time”

          I really don’t understand this rationale.

          So JJ was supposed to avoid making the *greatest*?
          Or JJ was incapable of making the *greatest*?

          Lucasfilm: “No JJ, make sure & stop at *good*, as not enough people will show up if you make it *great*!”

          It’s fine to admit the movie was “good”, whilst at the same time admitting JJ is (quite apparently) incapable of making a “great” movie.

          Also, I don’t understand why the JJ/TFA rationalizing (mental gynmastic) apologists have to always through in some bashing of the prequels.
          That – “well, it’s not as bad as X” BS weakens your argument further.

          • August 24, 2016 at 12:29 am
            Permalink

            If the prequels didn’t suck (and let’s face it, prequel lovers are a minority of movie-goers and even Star Wars fans), then JJ, or whoever else, would have had more freedom to break new ground in Ep 7. Because you’re not as worried about missing the mark because all the Star Wars movies were great.

            Because the prequels DID suck, JJ’s task was to restore faith in the franchise. He had to bring back some of the magic that made the OT so great and distance the franchise from the brown stain of the prequels. He did that by focusing on practical effects and a kinetic pace. He was very unoriginal with the story because he could be. He only need to re-establish credibility in the universe for the next movies. Ep VIII and IX have to be ground-breaking, story-wise or they will suck. Ep VII didn’t need to be. It just needed to be good.

            JJ did a great job and did what he needed to do. Could he have done more or done better or been more original? Yes. But the important thing is that he didn’t suck. The worst thing that could have happened to Star Wars after the prequels was yet another crappy movie.

          • August 24, 2016 at 12:43 am
            Permalink

            So because (in your opinion, ticket sales & box office take would argue otherwise) the prequels “sucked”, JJ decided to shoot for – “meh, just ok”?

            Go ahead & defend JJ on whatever merits you believe are appropriate, but by simply comparing to & complaining about the prequels doesn’t make your case. It’s a distraction & more appropriate for a “prequels hater” forum.

            I’d love to hear from a JJ-apologist who can provide sound, logical reasoning behind their defense.
            Saying – “well, his movie wasn’t *poo* & it’s better than movie X” just sounds like a fanboy/apologist.

            Meanwhile….
            I too hope that Ep 8 & 9 have better outcomes. Rian Johnson has shown some talent, so I’m most anticipating what he’s able to do with Ep 8. [ apparently by your reasoning/secret Lucasfilm decree – “he’s now allowed to make the greatest Star Wars movie”, perhaps he’ll succeed ]

            But please, take the prequels bashing somewhere else. OP did lash out at JJ, and it’s apparent you’re a fan. Just try to argue WHY you think JJ’s “deserving” with some elevated logic/evidence.

          • August 24, 2016 at 1:35 am
            Permalink

            When will people finally realise that the prequels were objectively bad? Poorly written, poorly acted movies created only to show off the new ILM digital technology and sell as much merchandise as possible.

            And yes, the prequels had crucial part on why TFA had to be like it is. Had the prequels been good, ep VII would’ve been a completely different film.

          • August 24, 2016 at 3:34 am
            Permalink

            It’s not science. It’s art.

          • August 24, 2016 at 1:47 am
            Permalink

            No. I’m not saying he was intentionally holding back with the story. I’m saying that wasn’t his primary focus. He wanted to restore faith in the franchise. The best way to do that was going back to Star Wars’ filmmaking roots (practical effects, real sets, kinetic pacing, funny dialogue). The story was meant to be an homage to ANH to further tie it to the OT. It was definitely not a completely original story. Could it have been? Sure, but I’m glad JJ at least got the rest of it right, even if the story is lacking. Rian’s HUGE responsibility is to take the baton and give us a more original, engaging story.

          • August 24, 2016 at 5:40 am
            Permalink

            “Let’s face it, prequel lovers are a minority of movie-goers and even Star Wars fans.”

            There is tonnes of evidence to the contrary if you used your eyes. not talking to you further.

          • August 24, 2016 at 7:27 pm
            Permalink

            He did what he was hired to do. Reboot the franchise. And he did that with great success. He introduced to new people and reminded the older crowd what Star Wars was about, paid homage to legacy characters while introducing a new group that can carry the story forward.

            Disney didn’t hire JJ to try something new. They hired Rian Johnson to do that, now that rebooting the franchise is out of the way.

          • August 24, 2016 at 3:33 am
            Permalink

            Who decides what is absolutely good or bad anyway? It’s not science when it comes to art.

    • August 24, 2016 at 4:50 am
      Permalink

      This is such a dumb comment.

  • August 23, 2016 at 8:16 pm
    Permalink

    Anyone know were i can watch the whole thing?

  • August 23, 2016 at 9:38 pm
    Permalink

    Wow they were amazing ! Good job StarWarsNewsNet !!

    They’re right though he creates the soul of the movie.

  • August 24, 2016 at 12:16 am
    Permalink

    Brilliant that he accepted the award to the song from the ending medal ceremony in A New Hope.

    • August 24, 2016 at 12:27 am
      Permalink

      Perfect choice! He deserves it.

      But he gets no medal until the Wookie does. 🙂

      • August 24, 2016 at 5:38 am
        Permalink

        He got one in a shitty comic arc.

  • August 24, 2016 at 1:52 am
    Permalink

    Williams doesn’t look/sound like he’s slowing down at all. Long live John Williams! May he score X, XI, and XII!

    • August 24, 2016 at 5:38 am
      Permalink

      I hope not. While his themes have been good, they are starting to get a little repetitive and he is getting rather old. Time for him to retire after IX and bring in some fresh blood.

      • August 24, 2016 at 7:05 am
        Permalink

        Who exactly do you suggest replacing him with? There is still no one better than him. And his several new themes for VII were all excellent additions to the SW musical canon. I can’t wait to see how he fleshes them out further with VIII.

        • August 24, 2016 at 1:21 pm
          Permalink

          I don’t know, I’m sure Lucasfilm have a better idea.

          The Snoke theme was not. It was almost identical to the Plagueis one in Revenge of the Sith.

          • August 24, 2016 at 4:32 pm
            Permalink

            The music for Snoke and the tragedy of Plagueis wasn’t meant to be thematic, rather simply atmospherically dark and foreboding, with a deep, guttural male chorus. It was not meant to be “Snoke’s theme,” or “Plagueis’ theme.”

            But the score did feature as many as 5 excellent new themes, including Rey’s Theme, The Jedi Steps Theme, The Resistance March, Kylo Ren’s Theme, and Poe Dameron’s Theme, among other motifs.

          • August 25, 2016 at 4:35 am
            Permalink

            I always thought that was on purpose.

      • August 24, 2016 at 7:24 pm
        Permalink

        Really? I thought Rey’s theme was very refreshing, very whimsical, with a great use of the flute and oboe.

        • August 31, 2016 at 12:34 pm
          Permalink

          It’s actually very similar to Luke’s theme. Take it as a parentage hint if you want or whatever.

  • August 24, 2016 at 4:24 am
    Permalink

    It was really touching to see all of this come together for him, he honestly has done more in one lifetime than so many others combined. Lets hope Rey lives on through Episode 9 so that he has to continue scoring the movies XD

  • August 24, 2016 at 8:04 pm
    Permalink

    With that beard is Harrison Ford trying to audition for the role of Mark Hamil in episode 9?

Comments are closed.

LATEST POSTS ON MOVIE NEWS NET