Former Recess Film Editor Angela Fernandes recently caught up with Toby Emmerich, who is the President of Music for New Line Cinema and the producer/screenwriter of the recent sci-fi thriller Frequency. Even though he proved to be a little saucy, Angela kept him in check. Read on.
What do you do as the music executive for New Line Cinema?
My department puts together soundtracks for movies and helps directors track down composers to write and orchestrate scores for our films, as well as recording locations.
Name some of the recent soundtracks you've helped put together.
The Austin Powers movies, Friday, Next Friday, Menace II Society...
What do you think about the trends in pop music right now, with the dancing blonde tarts and Latin men and boy bands all over the place?
Well, I think musical trends go in cycles, and right now we're in the phase of the boys bands and all that. Most of the time, it's not even about the music, it's about marketing a package. It's not so much about the artist as it is a cool image. I mean, going back to the '80s, you had all those hair bands, like Bon Jovi and Poison, and then they just disappeared.... The music that lasts is going to be the music that's good, that's about the artist and not so much the package. The trendy music now, some of those people are talented and some of them aren't.
Where did you work before you joined New Line?
I was at Atlantic Records. I was an A&R guy-artist and repertoire. It was basically talent scouting.
Any famous people you discovered when you were there?
No, not really. Well, I did find Mariah Carey, but apparently that wasn't her time to be discovered. It was the late 80's, and well, it just wasn't the time for her.
How did you get into the entertainment industry?
I met the guy who founded Atlantic Records at a party when I was in college, and he seemed to have been impressed with my knowledge of music, so he contacted me. I let him read my thesis.
What was your thesis on?
Bruce Springsteen, Sam Shepard and Martin Scorcese.
That sounds like a pretty wacky thesis. Where did you go to school?
Wesleyan. I majored in English, Film and Classical Music.
What's the value of a high caliber college degree in Hollywood, where so many people who didn't graduate from high school are making movies?
I think people are only going to be impressed if they find out you went to Harvard. That's what people perceive to the best, so if it's anything other than that... it doesn't matter. I don't think anyone in this industry is going to be impressed by your college degree, because look, there are so many people with all sorts of life experiences, talents. Artistry and imagination don't necessarily require a higher education. Look at Leonardo DaVinci and so many other geniuses who have contributed to society...I think Spike Jonze [director of Being John Malkovich] is doing great work, and he didn't go to college.
Are you currently working on a screenplay?
Yes, I'm writing a buddy comedy with my brother [actor Noah Emmerich] called Schnitzel and Grits, but I'm not going to tell you what it's about. I'm also working on writing a futuristic sci-fi western.
I hope it's nothing like last year's Wild Wild West.
I didn't get a chance to see it. Was it bad?
Oh yes, quite. Is it difficult to concentrate on your writing as a full time music exec?
Yes, especially when I have to do an interview.
Sorry. Where do you get your ideas for screenplays?
When I'm out jogging. I love to jog. Or when I'm on vacation. It's when you're not thinking about anything that the ideas come to you.
Would you work again with Gregory Hoblit? [director of Frequency, Fallen, Primal Fear]
Sure. I was very happy with how Frequency turned out.
He's a pretty good director.
I'lll be sure to tell him you said that.
Umm, thanks.
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