"Spaceship Earth"

[Owen from Final Fantasy]

Since June 2019, I've basically been chained to my computer working on two large projects. One was the AGO commission, which ended up being far more work than I anticipated-- my choral piece was written very quickly, but arranging those Julius Eastman pieces took WEEKS of tedious work.

The other was the score for the new Matt Wolf documentary "Spaceship Earth". This is the second time I've worked with Matt; I did the score for 2019's "Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project".

This score was an immensely large undertaking. 90+ minutes of orchestral music, all told, as much as a Batman film. Work on it was long and arduous, and spilled over into my holiday period. I worked on Christmas Day, I worked until 8pm on New Year's Eve.

But we got through it, and the film premiered at Sundance to raves. Variety just wrote it up today and they (justly) praise the work of Matt and the editor David. The score I wrote gets a shout-out at the end, they call it "tremendous".

variety.com/2020/film/reviews/spaceship-earth-review-1203489214/

"Spaceship Earth" is the first film on which I have solo credit where I unreservedly feel unmixed feelings of positivity about the film itself and my score within in. This is not to disparage other films, or scores, I've worked on... it's just that "Spaceship Earth" is something truly special.

I encourage you to keep your eyes out for it on the festival circuit this coming year. It will almost certainly find a wide release-- as "Recorder" did before it. The soundtrack will be released this year, also (along with several others that I've been itching to release.)

[unctious]

Big congratulations on the project—a buddy of mine was at Sundance with NPR but was only there for two or three days, and didn’t get to catch it. She said she may get a screener and would let me know how it is; I’m eager to check it out. There was recently a great podcast episode about the Biosphere project, which has piqued my interest (I think an episode of Nice Try!). I love the idea of seeing the story on film and with full orchestral production.

I’m sure you’re glad to reclaim some of your free time!

[n8c]

I remember reading about, and becoming obsessed with the idea of, Biosphere 2 when I was in grade school. It was one of those things that had a ton of press, then seemed to disappear inexplicably from the public eye. I can't wait to watch the film and rekindle the excitement of my 10-year old self, all to a score written by one of my favorite musicians.

[unctious]

variety.com/2020/film/markets-festivals/neon-spaceship-earth-sundance-biosphere-2-parasite-1203503174/ Congratulations to you and Matt!

[xfs_xth]

Feb 25, 2020 11:15:47 GMT -5 unctious said:

variety.com/2020/film/markets-festivals/neon-spaceship-earth-sundance-biosphere-2-parasite-1203503174/ Congratulations to you and Matt!

radical! stoked to see. x

[Deleted]

didnt read sounds dope tho

[birdonthewire]

Will definitely look out for the film, whenever cinemas are open again!! Enclosed environments and only one earth. Strangely fitting this year. Not that it's not been bang on before but everyone feels it now...

[Owen from Final Fantasy]

Good news: "Spaceship Earth" will be released on May 8. Certain limited "social distance friendly" outdoor screenings, and also live on Apple TV, Amazon and Hulu. Very excited!

variety.com/2020/film/news/neon-spaceship-earth-release-coronavirus-1234585849/

[kit]

That's so great! And even I can manage $4

[xfs_xth]

yes! it's in the queue

[Owen from Final Fantasy]

The smart link to watch "Spaceship Earth" is here, if you're interested!

neonrated.com/films/spaceship-earth#virtual-cinema

[unctious]

Me and the girl are planning to rent it this week--excited to see how it all turned out.

[eamas]

I watched it with my roommate the other day. We both really enjoyed it! Without spoiling anything, I was pretty floored by some of the actors who came into play near the ending. Aesthetically, it was really lovely-- obviously the project was designed for TV, but unsurprisingly, the visuals also work really well in a doc! The music matched it well.

[diego4533]

May 12, 2020 13:18:14 GMT -5 eamas said:

I watched it with my roommate the other day. We both really enjoyed it! Without spoiling anything, I was pretty floored by some of the actors who came into play near the ending. Aesthetically, it was really lovely-- obviously the project was designed for TV, but unsurprisingly, the visuals also work really well in a doc! The music matched it well.

I also watched it last Friday and was also floored by I guess the same thing as you!
Owen’s music was great: very diverse and although sometimes it’s clear as a fan it’s his work, I could sense his “working for someone else” philosophy where the music selflessly works to bring the most for the scenes.
I may be absolutely crazy, but did one of the pieces sound a bit like a lighter Disintegration Loop 1?

[kit]

Hey Owen, I finally watched Spaceship Earth and really loved it. I had no idea what an odd group of people were behind that project's creation. I particularly loved the song that played during the building montage of Biosphere 2.
I'm curious whether you've been to the actual site. It seems like a fascinating place to visit, but it also seemed from the epilogue that it might just be a tourist attraction now. I think I'd go just to experience it visually.