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I am scoring Caprica!

Posted by Bear McCreary on January 15th, 2009

This morning’s “Caprica” session.
(Click to embiggen / Photo: Andrew Craig)

I spent the morning at the Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage recording my orchestral score for Caprica, the highly anticipated prequel to Battlestar Galactica.  I recently composed over an hour of music for the pilot movie and will stay on to complete the rest of the 20-episode first season, airing in 2010.

The score, like the tone of new series, is quite different from Galactica.  I am introducing a new ensemble, soloists and distinct musical themes, expanding the sonic boundaries of the Battlestar universe, while still keeping the soul of the score connected to my previous work.  And don’t worry… Chris Bleth, MB Gordy, Paul Cartwright and the other unique musicians who play on Galactica are on board as well.

More details will sneak onto the blog in the coming months, and I will certainly write an entry about the new themes of Caprica once you’ve all had a chance to hear them.  Since we recorded today and Galactica comes back on the air tomorrow… I thought all you BG fans would like to know.  

So Say We All!

-Bear

UPDATED 2-5-09: Galactica Sitrep just announced that the Caprica pilot is coming to DVD April 21, 2009!  I told you guys you’d hear my score soon!

Posted by Bear McCreary on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at 6:33 pm.

53 Responses to This Blog Entry:

FRAKKING FANTASTIC!
I was really hoping for this! I absolutely cannot wait! Congrats Bear!

Left by MattH on January 15th, 2009

I was just about to ask about this in your last update. Good stuff! =)

Left by JohnLR on January 15th, 2009

Great news!

From my point of view, the music for BSG is just as integral a part to the beauty of the series as is a major character and I’m glad to see that the familiarity at least in terms of the music (whether it be of a different nature or not) will remain in the franchise.

So, how does it feel to be a “character” in the series? Any chance for a cameo in Caprica (obviously a club scene)? Will any musical themes developed for BSG make an appearance in Caprica?

Looking forward to hearing more!

Left by subatomicsatan on January 15th, 2009

Awesome. I was thinking the other day that I hoped the composer for Caprica would coordinate with you a little, just so there was still some family resemblance between the two shows, maybe a few musical echos here and there. So, I guess that’s going to be happening, unless you’ve got some kind of left hand, right hand thing you haven’t mentioned before.

Left by David Gian-Cursio on January 15th, 2009

Fantastic !!!

Looking forward to the new material.

Left by OneBuckFilms on January 15th, 2009

right
FRAKKING
on!

well done!

dave
CFPrez
http://bearmccrearyfans.yuku.com

Left by daveCFPrez on January 15th, 2009

This is fantastic news. I must admit, one of the worst parts of BSG ending for me is that there won’t be any new music! While I’m sure Caprica will have a very different style then Galactica music (it is a very different sort of show after all), it should be fun to hear the hints of BSG music and such sprinkled throughout. I certainly hope you will release a soundtrack for Caprica, and I look forward to giving you my money for it!

Left by RubberDuckeh on January 15th, 2009

its like a second christmas

Left by RuthlessGravity on January 15th, 2009

Awesome!! We were SO hoping you would do the music. Congratulations.

Left by El4short on January 15th, 2009

FRAKKIN’ A! Congrats, Bear!

Left by Macker on January 15th, 2009

This is so much win. This made my already stellar day! Stellar stellar, sir!

Left by GungaDin on January 15th, 2009

My day was just made awesome. I’m so excited that you’re scoring Caprica!!

Left by dark-hearted rose on January 15th, 2009

Thank the gods. The more I hear about Caprica the more the veil lifts since BSG is ending. It’s good to know that the top notch quality of BSG’s music will continue. I’m dieing to see what you do with Joesph and young Adama’s themes. Whether it will be a variation of the theme we’ve come to associate with the Adama clan or something different.

Left by TighFighter on January 15th, 2009

Allow me to say: Yes! Fan-frakkin-tastic! I can’t wait to hear your new stuff, Bear, both in Caprica and the rest of BSG.

Left by dibbler5 on January 16th, 2009

Hooray!

Ooh, and SPOILERS! Caprica features MEN IN SUNGLASSES! Alert the internet!

Left by Bobsy on January 16th, 2009

Congratulations!

Left by Rian on January 16th, 2009

Great news ! I’m looking forward it..and yeah for BSG return tonight :)

Left by kelinea on January 16th, 2009

“I am scoring Caprica!”

Of course, you are. How could it be otherwise?

(More seriously – congratulations. Looking forward to seeing… and hearing… the show.)

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on January 16th, 2009

Fantastic news! Congratulations. Will there be any drums? ;)

Left by Thomas on January 16th, 2009

2010…? Sigh… Anyway, can’t wait… good luck and lots of fun with the scoring!! ;-)

Left by Daniel on January 16th, 2009

Wow! I was waiting for this news since a long time! Congratulations!

Left by Laura on January 16th, 2009

This is the best news I could hope to hear. Your music is amazing. I love that you were able to convince everyone to include your documentary for the BSG DVD that was just released.

Do you have any specific themes already in store for Caprica? Will you be re-using anything from BSG? Or is it all completely new and original?

Love your stuff on Sarah Connor, as well!

BSG tonight! SO SAY WE ALL!

Left by Jo on January 16th, 2009

Exciting!! I would be very disappointed if you weren’t, though — I kind of didn’t even realize that was an option!

Left by darcy on January 16th, 2009

[...] de oufs malades) reste dans la franchise BSG, il composera les musiques du spin-off Caprica (cf. un récent billet sur son [...]

Left by Le blog de Snake » Deux bonnes nouvelles BSGienne on January 16th, 2009

Sounds very promising. Having you on board will help make the show what it deserves to be. I know you’re up to the task.

I must say that I hope that Caprica has its own sonic identity and doesn’t sound like BSG. Similarities are fine, but I don’t think that what you’ve done for Galactica will work for Caprica. Well, not all of it, anyway.

Regardless, I’ll be looking forward to it.

Left by Revelation 23 on January 16th, 2009

Oh, to be there at Warner Bros, watching you conduct your score! Your music will give to Caprica what it gave to BSG: a unique identity that underscores and heightens both action and emotion.

Bravo Bear! I can’t wait!

Left by Ravenna on January 16th, 2009

OMG OMG OMG….if you could you’d see a collector doing a MAJOR Happy dance in subzero Wisconsin right now…..I got my wish….

Caprica is in awesome hands now….I can rest until it airs…..until I heard this I was VERY nervous….

Phew….

Breath Pete, Breath….

Left by fanningp on January 16th, 2009

Bear!

When’s the next BSG concert going to be? I know you spend a lot of time on the west coast, but New York City needs you too. If at all possible, please come rock NYC at some point soon! Your fan base here is frakking enormous.

Left by Desperate Times on January 16th, 2009

I’m glad to hear it. Your music has become such an important part of the show that I’d hate to see it go. I know of one other franchise that changed composers for the spinoff, and it wasn’t pretty. I’m glad that Caprica’s music will be in good hands.

Left by Andrew Timson on January 16th, 2009

This is a good sign for all of us.

Left by sonofamitch on January 16th, 2009

Sweet! Now I have even more reason to watch Caprica. Can’t wait to see what you do with it, and how different it’s going to be. I’ve found in my own writing that once you create a world that you’ve worked in for ages and love passionately, turning it on its head and doing something totally different (but related, but really completely different) is a deeply rewarding creative challenge. I’m so glad you’re going to get it!

Pearl

Left by Pearl on January 16th, 2009

I’m excited to hear what Caprica sounds like! Very happy that you’re on board, congratulations.

(Tonight’s BSG episode, “Sometimes A Great Notion”, was absolutely heartbreaking…)

Left by Chad N. on January 16th, 2009

That’s so exciting! Congratulations! My first question when I read the title of this blog entry was “How similar/different will it be to BSG?” But of course you got straight to addressing that.

I haven’t been able to leave comments for a while because I was in Chile for four months doing study abroad and didn’t remember my password and for some reason I couldn’t get the system to send it to my email while I was there. But I’m back now. I had the great opportunity while I was there to take a music class – “South American Musical Traditions” – the teacher of which was an older gentleman who plays in a very popular folk/rock fusion band in Chile called “Congreso.” I swear, I think he owns and plays over half the instruments in the world; extremely talented. But anyway, the second day of class he was going over the history of some of the major instruments in the orchestra, their origins and predecessors. He has quite a number of beautiful baroque string instruments in his collection. Lo and behold when he’s teaching us the history of the oboe he pulls out a duduk! Needless to say I was very excited and had BSG music in my head for the rest of the day. :-)

My professor had heard of the show but hadn’t watched it and so didn’t know about your work, but I introduced him. So now you have yet another fan.

Congratulations again on Caprica and I’m so looking forward to watching the remainder of BSG, both for the character and musical journeys!

Left by sache8 on January 16th, 2009

This is excellent news, congrats!

Left by megarust on January 17th, 2009

I’m delighted to hear the producers of Caprica are smart enough to engage a brilliant composer with amazing musical talent…aka one Bear McCreary.

It (almost) makes up for BSG being cancelled and replaced by a frakking prequel.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr…the show had better be good. I KNOW the music will be. :)

Left by ntrlstgrl on January 17th, 2009

lol When I was sitting in front of my computer reading this news I actually got up and screamed “YES” :)

Left by neowardog on January 18th, 2009

Wht an outstanding piece of news, Bear! Congratulations from the 2GuysTalking: TERMINATOR Podcast! It is great to know that great talent is recognized and rewarded and we cannot wait to follow your excursions into the future via Caprica.

Huzzah!

Left by TerminatorPodcast on January 19th, 2009

Hey guys,

Thanks for the kind words. I’m very excited to be able to expand the “Galactica” musical universe. As many of you have predicted, the sound of the score will be totally different than “BG,” (although still distantly related). I think Eric Stoltz made a public statement a while ago calling the new series a “cousin” to BG, which I think is an apt analogy.

The show begins airing its full season in 2010, but you’ll get a chance to see the two-hour pilot I just scored before that. Sooner than you think! :)

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on January 19th, 2009

Fantastic news on CAPRICA, your work inspires.Any chance of a BSG concert coming to Sydney Australia?

Left by thetag1 on January 19th, 2009

“When’s the next BSG concert going to be? I know you spend a lot of time on the west coast, but New York City needs you too. If at all possible, please come rock NYC at some point soon! Your fan base here is frakking enormous.”

Or to Japan? You have NO IDEA how much this show has caught on over here. It’s HUGE, and becoming more so every day.

As usual, we’re about two seasons behind everyone else, but it’s great to watch the fanbase grow over here. BSG concert world tour! So say we all!

Left by Sabrina on January 21st, 2009

CONGRATS! Your musical scores are amazing and I am glad they recognize that.

I was wondering if you could clear up a small point regarding lyrics to your BSG opening credits theme. Please see the following video to illustrate (LOL):

make up your own lyrics

Left by chig on January 21st, 2009

Jo… “Do you have any specific themes already in store for Caprica? Will you be re-using anything from BSG? Or is it all completely new and original?”

and subatomicsatan… “Will any musical themes developed for BSG make an appearance in Caprica?”

All new themes for all new characters. However, one theme from “BG” will make a little “cameo” from time to time. :)

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on January 26th, 2009

I’m very looking forward to hear Caprica OST. Mr. McCreary I want to know if there would be any promos or samples to hear from Caprica, just to know what to expect or what will Caprica send us from a musical side? I also want to know if Caprica will be in the BSG 2003 Spirit or BSG 1978 Spirit or if it’d be completely different soundrack. I’m fan of your works, but I don’t have much experience with your BSG work. Of course I like what I already heard and I want to know if there would be some Cylon Motif on Caprica. Like I said I don’t have much experience with BSG music (I’m in Season 2), that’s why I don’t know if you already composed Cylon Theme, so if you don’t, is there going to be any cylon themes? And if you already did, will be there some chance to hear it anyway on Caprica? Thank you, your fan Darth Raelchi from Czech republic

Left by Darth Raelchi on January 30th, 2009

Darth Raelchi…

I can’t put any clips or samples online until the pilot movie comes out. But, you guys don’t have to wait as long as you think. :)

As for themes, I used almost no thematic material from Battlestar at all. Even the instrumentation is wildly different, although there definitely are moments that reference my BG score very obviously.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on January 30th, 2009

Thank you for noticing me. I also want to know, ‘cos I forgot to write it in the different message on this blog. When I found out more about BSG music, I found that miniseries are composed by Rochard Gibbs. Here’s the question. When Richard Gibbs was composing the miniseries, were you helping him with some orchestrations or you were co-composer or it is completely his work? I also found out on soundtrackcollector.com that two or three tracks in Season 1 OST are co-composed by Richard Gibbs. I only want to know what part in BSG he plays? No disrespect, I know that is usual in OST world that sometimes there are two composers wrote down on the cover like in The Dark Knight. Thank you.

Left by Darth Raelchi on February 1st, 2009

Darth Raelchi… re: Richard Gibbs…

Richard was the main composer on the mini-series, and I was his assistant, writing additional cues here and there, mostly picking up a bunch of the action cues while Richard wrote all the themes and big dramatic moments. He scored a couple episodes of Season 1 and then left to go back to feature films, and I picked up the rest of the series.

The tracks on the Season 1 and Season 2 album he wrote are the Main Title. But, I’m the sole composer on the series.

But, Richard was an incredibly important part of the miniseries, and set the tone for the score that I’ve continued to develop. Also, if you guys want to check out a great CD of his, look for “Step into Liquid” or “Book of Stars.” Great albums.

That’s the short version of the story. Dig around on the “Press” Section of my website through some of the interviews there and you can find a much more detailed version. :)

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on February 1st, 2009

See… I told you guys you’d hear it soon! :)

Caprica!

Galactica Sitrep has the scoop

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on February 5th, 2009

I don’t know if anyone’s still checking this thread out, but Carpica-City.de got an exclusive first-listen to my Caprica Theme:

http://www.caprica-city.de/index.php?pn_go=details&id=0002208

Left by Bear McCreary on March 2nd, 2009

I was going back through past blog entries trying to find the link to the video of the acoustic (guitar & accordion) performance of “That Frakking Song” (so I could send the URL to an friend from… pre- Kindergarten, actually… who has long been an accordion player. If the link is still up, I – and she – would appreciate if you’d post the title and/or date of the appropriate blog entry, either here or on your latest entry) and I ran across this.

As for the Caprica theme – Frakkin’ far out! Good to hear your voice too.

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on March 4th, 2009

Belay that request. I found it.

She is gonna FREAK. And I mean that in the best possible way.

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on March 4th, 2009

I saw a clip of you playing the theme song on youtube. I posted it on my site. It sounds awesome and I am anxious looking forward to hearing more!

The Caprica Times

Left by capricatimes on March 11th, 2009

Me thinks at this point you might slip in whatever the “Home” or “Caprica” or whatever theme you introduced in Daybreak into the show :)

Left by musicpaladin2007 on March 22nd, 2009

[...] score, like the tone of new series, is quite different from Galactica,” McCreary wrote on his blog. “ I am introducing a new ensemble, soloists and distinct musical themes, expanding the sonic [...]

Left by Bear McCreary confirms he is scoring Caprica | cinemarealm.com on February 7th, 2010

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