Sometimes it’s just great to just grab a mic, bang shit together and record it.
If you’re any sort of self-respecting science fiction geek, on August 10th at 9pm Eastern, you will undoubtedly be glued to the SciFi Channel, eagerly awaiting the opening strains of one of the most anticipated TV remakes of the year, FLASH GORDON Montreal-area composer and percussion-loop-master Tim Rideout has been working feverishly with Hollywood scoring genius and former McGill drinking buddy Michael Picton on the music for SciFi’s remake of the classic series.
Watch the trailer here
“No, you won’t be hearing the good ol’ Queen songs,” Tim reports, guiltless in his love for 80s cheese, “you’ll be hearing glorious orchestral and brooding atmospheres meet rockin’ beatz and alien wackiness. Mike’s score is awesomely cool and colorful.” Rideout would know – he’s been adding live percussion, funky loops and phattened-up beatz to composer Michael Picton’s sweeping symphonic odysseys and poppy interludes for several weeks now.
From Montreal to Hollywood
Picton met Rideout while they studied music at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Michael now resides in Los Angeles and continues to work with Tim on various projects via the internet. “Technology is the great facilitator,” says Mike’s East Coast connection. “10 years ago, this kind of working relationship would have been considerably more difficult. Now, I can download rushes and audio mixes from Mike, import them into my audio workstation, record my parts here in Montreal, and have them back to Hollywood instantly for approval. It’s really that simple.”
Visit composer Michael Picton’s website here
Geek Grabs Microphone
Technology and talent both seem to facilitate Rideout’s steady addition of brighter lights and Bigger Gigs to his portfolio. In addition to Flash Gordon, he has recently worked on projects for Ringling Bros. Circus and Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell Double Agent.
But, according to the Fredericton native, all the computer muscle or raw talent in the world won’t get you anywhere if you forget the basics. “You can’t rely on the technology to make you creative,” he explains. “It’s only a means to an end - as are our talents and abilities. We can’t forget our roots as lovers of music, nor as human beings in creative relationships. That’s what’s fun about recording percussion for Flash : Mike will email me about the next track and say something like, ‘give me something sensual-meets-alien,’ or ‘action-flavoured but not too TJ Hooker…’ and the funny part is – I know *exactly* what he means. Why ? Because we’ve worked together before and because, as musicians and composers, we haven’t forgotten our roots as such. Sometimes it’s just great to just grab a mic, bang shit together and record it.”
Hear Tim banging away on FLASH GORDON, premiering on the SciFi Channel, Friday August 10th at 9pm Eastern.
FLASH GORDON EPISODE 1 Friday August 10th 2007 9pm Eastern SciFi Channel
Theme to Flash Gordon
Composed by Michael Picton
