Composing Greatness: #4.The Freshman Class of the 2010's - "Life of Pi" (2012)

Scene from Life of Pi

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

Review: "Life After Pi" is a Compelling Call for Action

One of the most tragic stories that came out of the 2013 Oscar ceremony was the revelation that FX company Rhythm & Hues filed for bankruptcy. The company that won a Best Visual Effects Oscar for Life of Pi took to the stage that night only to be played off. Close to a year later, the company released a short 30-minute documentary highlighting this epidemic and how it impacted the industry. As the documentary comes to a close, it serves more as a precaution for a rapidly changing industry ahead. As technology continues to be prevalent in the biggest films, it is an issue worth addressing, and one that will hopefully benefit from this story.

Check This Out!: "Rhythm & Hues: Life After Pi" Trailer Promises a Look at the Fallen VFX Company

It came as strange news to find out that the Best Visual Effects winner for Life of Pi also went bankrupt. VFX company Rhythm & Hues were responsible for bringing the gorgeous, C.G.I.-heavy film to life. With the new documentary Rhythm & Hues: Life After Pi, there is going to hopefully be exploration into what lead to this downfall and why C.G.I. companies are folding despite producing some of the highest grossing films in a given year. Check out the trailer (above) and make sure to look for it being released online on February 25, one day after the broadcasting last year's ceremony. 

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