Author: Jason Poss

The Little Mermaid

SoS contributes to remake of another Disney classic

SoS worked on a number Disney films to be released this summer. The first is the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid”. SoS transcribed all vocal performances, including the new recordings of the classic songs and new songs by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The transcriptions, used to dub the non-English language versions of the film, give Ariel, Sebastian, Ursula, and the other characters the ability to sing to audiences in their own languages throughout the world.

“The Little Mermaid” features wonderful performances by Halle Bailey, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, and Melissa McCarthy.

SCL Mentees Visit SoS

SoS provides workshop for 2022-2023 SCL Mentorship Program

The Society of Composers & Lyricists Mentor Program gives a select group of SCL composers and songwriters an introduction to the screen music industry. This week, current mentees visited the SoS office to discuss music preparation. The SCL always selects a skilled, thoughtful, group; and this year was no exception.

The discussions focused on what composers need to understand when dealing with music preparation. The topics touched on orchestration, arranging, transcription, music copying, budgeting, planning, and music preparation billing. Examples were provided to illustrate some of the principles and terms.

Danita Ng-Poss and Jason Poss had hosted mentees for several years before the COVID pandemic. This was the first time in two years that the SCL mentees were back in person.

The 4th Annual SCL Awards

Yesterday was The Society of Composers & Lyricists’ 4th Annual SCL Awards. SoS provided music preparation and contracted the all-star lineup of Hollywood musicians. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Darren Criss, and featured performances by Criss, Rizzi Myers, Priscilla Ahn, and and Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz.

After last year’s highly successful show, the SCL made this their biggest ceremony yet with an expanded orchestra, rhythm section, and choir. It proved to be great move with a sold-out show and accolades all around.

SoS has been a part of every SCL Awards since their inaugural ceremony four years ago providing music preparation, managing the hiring of musicians, and consulting on union contracts and procedures.

This project also marked the joyful return of Danita Ng-Poss to the SoS team after completing her term as Secretary/Treasurer of AFM Local 47.

2022 Highlights

In spite of the continuing COVID pandemic, 2022 had a number of highlights for Symbols of Sound. It was a busy year for our work with Disney, beginning with an Oscar for 2021’s Encanto. The year also saw work on a number of features including Turning Red, Disenchanted, Strange World, Pinocchio, Hocus Pocus 2, Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers, Fire Island, Amsterdam, and Zombies 3; as well as several TV and streaming specials such as The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Mickey Saves Christmas, and Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation; along with the usual run of regular TV and streaming series episodes.

Aside from Disney, SoS provided music preparation for the Oscar-nominated film Women Talking, and printing sheet music to be used in scenes for the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

In the live performance realm, SoS once again provided music contracting and music preparation for the annual SCL Awards, a show which becomes a larger part of the Hollywood awards season every year.

One surprise highlight of 2022 was a wonderful orchestral demo recording for “The Little Women Musical” composed by Dan Redfeld with lyrics by Christina Harding and John Koladziej. Aside from music preparation, SoS’s Jason Poss also provided score reading and “golden ears” in the booth for multiple days of orchestra and vocal recordings.

Watch this space for news about more exciting projects in 2023.

Women Talking film poster From the producers of Moonlight and Nomadland - Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, with Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand, a film by Sarah Polley, WOMEN TALKING based upon the book by Miriam Toews Screenplay by Sarah Polley Directed by Sarah Polley #WomenTalking only in theaters this December PG-13 UA, hear/say, Plan B, Orion Distributed through United Artists Releasing ©2022 Orion Releasing LLC. All rights reserved

Women Talking

The film “Women Talking” has been released in theaters. Earlier this year, Symbols of Sound provided music preparation for Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir’s score. Recorded in Los Angeles under full pandemic restrictions, this became another international production with Guðnadóttir monitoring the recordings from Berlin, director Sarah Polley from Toronto, and orchestrator Jeff Atmajian from London. SoS’s Jason Poss supervised music preparation and was the music librarian at the recording sessions.

January 2023 update: Women Talking is nominated for “Best Picture” at the 2023 Oscars and “Best Original Score” at the Golden Globes.