Pakbuzz Q&A is proud to present an exclusive, in-depth interview with David Libby, the composer of the scores for the Greg Pak films “Happy Hamptons Holiday Camp for Troubled Couples,” “Super Power Blues,” and “Planet Hulk Trailer.”
[UPDATE: Libby has launched BroadwayDemo.com, a demo and website production service for musical theater actors — click here to visit the site.]
Greg Pak: We’ve worked together on three different short film projects now, but I’m realizing I have no idea how you work your magic — I email you video and tell you some of my ideas for the score and you email me back links to gorgeous music. Walk us through the process a bit. First, the technicalities — what kind of equipment and computer system do you use? Is all the music generated through synthesizers and computers or do you do any live performances? And how do you keep the neighbors from calling the cops with noise complaints?
David Libby: I have very cool neighbors, no doubt! I’m always playing piano and my wife is a singer, and we’ve never had a complaint. Actually, we’ve even gotten requests to play louder because they like it! The only down side to this is that I can never move.
Once I get the video file you email me, I import it into music production software called Sonar. I have a Kurzweil PC88 keyboard which is connected to my computer, but I don’t use the keyboard for sounds. I only use it to trigger sounds that are generated on my computer by a software sampler called Gigastudio, which produces the most realistic sounds currently on the market. So, when I play my keyboard it triggers sounds that are generated on my computer by Gigastudio, and those sounds are recorded on my computer by Sonar. I also use Reason and Acid type loops for sound generation, and Sibelius for music notation when I want to write something out.
Interview with AAFilmLab president Matte Chi
Greg Pak was one of the founding members of the Workshop, an Asian American filmmaking group that was recently renamed the AAFilmLab. Yesterday the AAFilmLab announced that the general deadline for signing up for its 72 Hour Film Shootout has been extended until June 8 (receive by date). For more information about the Shootout, read on for Pak’s interview with AAFilmLab President Matte Chi. And don’t forget the 72 Hour Shootout Launch Party in NYC on June 9, where the AAFilmLab will give away film supplies as well as “Robot Stories” posters and DVDs donated by Pak.
GP: Tell us who should enter the 72 Hour Film Shootout and why.
MC: This contest is open especially to any and all filmmakers on the brink – for anyone who’s looking for a reason or excuse (if need be) to make a short film. As a novice myself, I needed something to push me into making a film and the Asian American Film Lab did exactly that. The AAFilmLab gave me a goal to work towards and the support I needed to take the first step. The experience of shooting my first short film was so incredibly fullfilling that I changed my career and decided to devote my time entirely towards creating more work.
Comic Book Commentary likes “Battlestar Galactica” #0
An excerpt (WARNING: SMALL SPOLIERS!):
Pak captures the relationship between Commander William Adama and President Laura Roslin. He shows the conflict between Starbuck and William Adama as the former seeks forgiveness from the latter. What’s brilliant is how he is able to capture the silence that Wm. Adama uses to communicate. He further develops Wm. Adama’s question, “Why does humanity deserve to survive?” Plus, he creates a story hook that made me want issue one even more.
Rave review from BrokenFrontier for “Battlestar Galactica” #0
BrokenFrontier.com loves “Battlestar Galactica” #0, written by Greg Pak with art by Nigel Raynor. An excerpt from Jason Berek-Lewis’s rave review:
Greg Pak’s script sizzles with raw emotion. … Each character speaks and acts in 100% accordance with what we have seen on the screen, giving Pak’s writing an unmistakable authenticity. Where the script absolutely excels is in giving each character their own unique voice, so much so that I actually “heard” the actors’ voices reading the dialogue.
Click here to read the full review.
“Battlestar Galactica” #0 is on sale now in comic book stores everywhere. “Battlestar Galactica” #1 ships in July. Contact your comic book store today to reserve your copy. Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.
Newsarama loves “Incredible Hulk” #95
Kevin Huxford from Best Shots crew at Newsarama has tagged “Planet Hulk” as “the most awesome Hulk story I have read since the days of Peter David.” An excerpt from his review of “Incredible Hulk” #95, written by Greg Pak with interior art by Carlo Pagulayan and Marshall Rogers:
The final issue of the first act of Planet Hulk comes to a close, and what a fun ride it has been so far. Through the course of this issue Greg Pak manages to pack (no pun intended) in so much information, action and intrigue that a second reading of the first four issues are a must for anyone who is enjoying this titles.
…
A great end to the first part of a Hulk mega-event. Looking for some classic Hulk action, with no punches pulled, then look no further. Planet Hulk is a success.
Visit Newsarama to read the full review.
“Incredible Hulk” #95 is on sale now in comic book stores everywhere. And don’t miss “Giant Size Hulk” #1 (June 21) in which Banner appears for the first time on Planet Hulk, and “Incredible Hulk” #96 (July 5), which continues the saga with “Planet Hulk: Anarchy,” Part One.
Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.
Newsarama likes “Battlestar Galactica” #0
An excerpt:
Nigel Raynor is dynamic on the art, and writer Greg Pak manages to properly reflect a number of personalities from the series. I believe that fans are going to be happy, and this generally good-looking book may attract some new ones as well.
For the full review, visit Newsarama.com
The French dig “Battlestar Galactica” #0
The French review blog Critique BD has given three and a half stars to “Battlestar Galactica” #0, written by Greg Pak with art by Nigel Raynor. Here’s the key paragraph, translated into an approximation of English using Altavista’s Babelfish:
In short, this episode 0 in due form allows to an introduction protagonists with the beginning of an account which is announced extremely interesting, the whole told through boards carried out well. For an investment of only 30¢, it is an invitation which cannot be refused!
Click here for the full review (in French!)
“Battlestar Galactica” #0 is in comic stores now. Issue #1 hits stores in July — tell your local store to save you a copy! Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.
Greg Pak’s “X-Men: Phoenix – Warsong” coming in September!
Saturday at Wizard World Philadelphia, Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada revealed that Greg Pak is writing “X-Men: Phoenix – Warsong,” a sequel to his top-selling “X-Men: Phoenix – Endsong.” With art by Tyler Kirkham, the five issue mini-series will begin in September. In an interview for Newsarama, Pak set up the story:
The key stories are Chris Claremont’s legendary Dark Phoenix saga in Uncanny X-Men #100-137, Grant Morrison’s New X-Men #114-150, and X-Men: Phoenix – Endsong. But rather than get into a point-by-point plot breakdown, maybe the best way to introduce the story to new readers is to talk about the big emotional throughlines… So here goes, two and a half decades of Phoenix stories in one paragraph:
The Phoenix saga is about a young woman named Jean Grey who discovers an insanely powerful cosmic force called the Phoenix within herself. The power allows her to save her friends and the world. But the power has a destiny beyond human understanding and the potential for horrifying destruction. So if our heroine loses control, she could destroy everything and everyone she knows. Ultimately, the love she experienced as a mere human, the strength of her bonds with her friends and her husband, gives her the ability to control her powers and save the world. But to do so, our heroine sacrifices herself and dies, passing on to another plane of existence to incubate, finding all her pieces so that she can understand and fulfill her destiny as the Phoenix. Will the enormous power of the Phoenix, beyond human comprehension and morality, threaten the world again? No one knows. But the love of her friends stays with our heroine to help and guide her as she grapples with the responsibilities and temptations of the Phoenix.
The key plot point readers should know as they launch into Warsong is that after Jean Grey last died in X-Men: Phoenix – Endsong, a tiny firefly representing a fragment of the Phoenix approached a group of young telepathic women known as the Stepford Cuckoos. What does the Phoenix want with the Cuckoos? Does it bear the terrible power of Dark Phoenix or the enormous love of Jean Grey? Who the heck are these Cuckoos, anyway, and why haven’t any of the X-Men ever asked where they came from? And what’s up with Scott and Emma? All these questions and more answered only within the pages of X-Men: Phoenix – Warsong!
Pak further teased the contents of “Warsong” in an interview for ComicBookResources.com
… I’m going to go out on a limb and spill the beans right here: ‘Warsong’ is not another Jean Grey resurrection story. It’s an essential Phoenix story, and therefore ultimately an essential tale for understanding Jean Grey. But we’re keeping the story fresh by exploring some untapped corners of the Grant Morrison run that are giving us a fantastic way to develop our characters and themes from surprising new angles.
“X-Men: Phoenix – Endsong is now available from Amazon.com at a 35 percent discount.
ComicBookResources.com interview | Newsarama interview
More from FanboyPlanet.com on “Incredible Hulk” #95
An excerpt:
Marvel has anointed a few writers as their next big thing over the years – Greg Pak is finally the one they promised.
2006.06.02 – Greg Pak to appear at Wizard World Philadelphia
“Incredible Hulk†writer Greg Pak will attend the comic book convention Wizard World Philadelphia this weekend. On Friday, June 2, Pak will be on the “X-Men X-Changes†panel at 11 am and the “Mondo Marvel†panel at 2 pm. He’s also slated to sign at the Marvel booth on Friday and Saturday in the early afternoon. For more information about the convention, visit the official website.