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Video Interview: Sherlock Holmes' Composer Hans Zimmer

by Alex Billington
January 19, 2010

Last week I had the honor of interviewing the one-and-only Hans Zimmer at his amazing studio in Santa Monica. This isn't the first time I've talked to one of my all-time favorite composers - I talked with Zimmer and James Newton Howard for The Dark Knight in 2008. This time the focus was supposed to be Sherlock Holmes, but because I'm such a huge fan of almost all of his work, we talked about everything from how he develops his scores to how he continues to remain original. His answers are fascinating and insightful. And of course, we talked about Chris Nolan's next film, Inception, which he's working on as we speak. Enjoy!

Watch the interview with composer Hans Zimmer:

This interview was shot using my Flip Mino camera, so apologies for the audio being a bit soft. Zimmer is, hands down, one of my favorite composers, from Gladiator to The Rock to The Last Samurai to Pirates of the Caribbean to Angels & Demons to, of course, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. When I first talked to him in '08, I was given less than 5 minutes, but because he always has so much to say, I'm so glad that I got nearly 25 minutes with him this time. I hope you've enjoyed this interview with Hans Zimmer and I hope this has made you even more excited to hear his score for Inception! Stay tuned for more interviews.

If you enjoyed this interview, I'm considering putting together a series of interviews with other composers like Danny Elfman, James Newton Howard, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman, Alexandre Desplat. Let me know if this is something you'd like, as I love talking to composers, they always have so much to say!

Explore tags: Featured, Interviews

littlegraysheep

Must say with John Williams, Thomas Newman, Clint Marisel, James Newton Howard, Danny Elfman and Bear McCreary one of my favorite contemporary soundtrack creators. Plus I'm listening to his S.H. soundtrack and it's beyond excellent :d
I am Not Gay

This dude created the great 'requiem for a dream' very sexy.

Keria1979

it was not him,,it was Klint Mansell,,get your fact right boy

MajesticXIII

Excellent interview,..good work. Ideas for future interviews: Clint Mansell, John Barry (and be quick about it 'cause he's old), Henry Mancini, Wojciech Kilar, Roque Banos, John Powell, Michael Brook, Tom Tykwer / Reinhold Heil / Johnny Klimek, Howard Shore, Jocelyn Pook.
Andy

I'd love to see a series of interviews with film composers. I second Majestic's vote for John Powell.
Cineprog

#Alex# Thanks for the interview with Hans Zimmer this guy kicksass love the Scores for Pearl Harbour, Gladiator, The Rock, Pirates of the Caribbean. You should do a interview with John William if you can.
http://iconocritic.com peloquin

I'd love to pick Elfman's brain and ask him what happened with The Wolfman that made him leave, not to mention his thoughts on the Spiderman debacle.
Mehran

Thanx ....
http://www.goseetalk.com Marc

Damn Alex, THE Hans Zimmer, for a second interview?? Wow! Wow just says it all. Who's next? Ridley Scott? God, perhaps? Everytime I read about you interviewing someone I think, Damn, you've got the coolest job on the planet. I loved hearing Hans talk about his scoring Gladiator on the Blu Ray but his interaction with you on this vid put is to shame. Way to go...he really does love his craft doesn't he? I'd second @1's suggestion for John Williams (my all time favorite composer btw) and am really very interested to hear from Thomas Newman.
suresh

Love it... Alex.. Can you get A.R.Rahman tooo ?
http://www.firstshowing.net/ me

Thank you for this 25 minutes interview with my second favourite composer, Hans Zimmer! My #1 is John Williams and if you could get an interview (even 10 minutes long) that would be fantastic! Keep up the good work!
http://www.anomalousmaterial.com/movies Castor

I absolutely love the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack! It's original and a piece of genius.
Trevor

Keep things like this coming. I absolutely love Zimmer's work.
Mark

I'm all for the series of composer interviews. That'd be awesome.
Nacmac

That was a fascinating interview. Zimmer's a true master. The SH soundtrack is one of his best - pure invention from start to finish.
Brian

As a long time Hans Zimmer fan (circa 1995 "Crimson Tide" <-----Grammy winner), I believe he is the BEST composer in the last couple of decades, if not ever! My humble opinion.
Governor

Great interview. Zimmer's one of my favorites.
Brian

I am interested in hearing about Clint Mansell's creative process.
samuel rojas

please man: put together a series of interviews with other composers like Danny Elfman, James Newton Howard, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman, Alexandre Desplat and more. that is something that we"WANT TO KNOW"... they always have so much to say! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Read more: http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/01/19/video-interview-sherlock-holmes-composer-hans-zimmer/#ixzz0dS1wVHXn
Felix

Hans ist einfach der Größte. Love to see how absolutely passionate he is about his work. Love it!
Felix

Oh, forgot to ask: He didn't give you an mp3 of that piece he did for the Inception trailer? Becaus I'd LOVE to listen to it over and over again. It's weird – on the one hand that bit is so cool, you definitely want to hear it again in the film, on the other hand it would be interesting to hear what Hans would replace this bit with. Whatever way, rock on Hans!
Mario

I never seen an video interview with Thomas Newman . An interview from the studio would be great !
Ned Bouhalassa

Thank you very much for this great interview - very inspiring! Please do more!
Jeff

Great interview!
Nnffmm

100 votes for a Thomas Newman video interview.