Interview: Alan Snelling

It is our immense pleasure to share our conversation with Audio Engineer/Composer Alan Snelling. [Excerpts of this interview were included in our arc of episodes devoted to the score to STAR WARS - we are delighted to be sharing the full extent of our conversation with you on today’s podcast].

Alan began his career in the late seventies as the assistant to audio engineer Eric Tomlinson at Anvil Studios in Denham, England, where he shortly became involved in such landmark projects as Star Wars, Alien, and Superman (to name but a few). In our delightful and long-ranging chat, Snelling recounts unforgettable stories from the recording sessions of these treasured films. Along the way, we'll encounter the likes of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Richard Donner, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer, and the composer who left perhaps the greatest impact on Snelling and Tomlinson - John Williams. Alan is an incredible craftsman, phenomenal storyteller, and an incredibly generous human being; experiencing his wisdom is a true privilege. Enjoy!

 Listen to Interview: Alan Snelling

Return of the Jedi (1983) - John Williams - 20th Century Fox (Richard Marquand, dir.)
  -The Return of the Jedi
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - John Williams - 20th Century Fox (Irvin Kershner, dir.)
  -Lando's Palace
The Great Train Robbery (1978) - Jerry Goldsmith - United Artists (Michael Crichton, dir.)
  -No Respectable Gentleman
Star Wars (1977) - John Williams - 20th Century Fox (George Lucas, dir.)
  -The Land of the Sandpeople
  -Inner City
  -Main Title
  -Rescue of the Princess
  -Cantina Band
  -The Desert and the Robot Auction
  -The Princess Appears
Dracula (1979) - John Williams - The Mirisch Corporation (John Badham, dir.)
  -To Scarborough
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - John Williams - 20th Century Fox (Irvin Kershner, dir.)
  -The Training of a Jedi Knight
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - John Williams - Paramount Pictures (Steven Spielberg, dir.)
  -A Thought for Marion / To Nepal
Brideshead Revisited (1981) - Geoffrey Burgon - Granada Television (Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, dir.)
  -Julia's Theme
Ladyhawke (1985) - Andrew Powell - Warner Bros./20th Century Fox (Richard Donner, dir.)
  -Phillipe Describes Isabeau 
Star Wars (1977) - John Williams - 20th Century Fox (George Lucas, dir.)
  -The Throne Room and End Title
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - John Williams - 20th Century Fox (Irvin Kershner, dir.)
  -The Wampa's Lair / Vision of Obi-Wan/Snowspeeders Take Flight
  -Jedi Master Revealed / Mynock Cave
  -The Imperial March
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1984) - John Williams - Warner Bros (Richard Donner, dir.)
  -The Departure
Superman (1978) - John Williams - Warner Bros (Richard Donner, dir.)
  -Leaving Home [5M3]
  -Prelude / Main Title March
  -Can You Read My Mind (Alternate Instrumental)
  -The Flying Sequence
A Pinprick of Light (2018) - Alan Snelling - Stranger Than Paradise Prod. (Kasra Karimi, dir.)
  -Manfred's Room

Alan Snelling
http://www.up4loud.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0811074

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