ESB 19: Mayor of Circuit City

Mar 20

James Waterman and Justin Scheid from The Band Batch are here for minutes 91-95 of The Empire Strikes Back. We talk about Threepio's analog rejuvenation, the timpani doom roll, and what happens when Star Wars voice actors are overdubbed in later editions (like how Jason Wingreen was replaced by Temura Morrison). We also get to hear Justin's favorite sound and what James considers the funniest line in this movie.

Video version of this episode is here: https://youtu.be/GLWmWl3fmHs

Join my Discord server by becoming a patron at any level: https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan

Timestamps:

0:00 - Hello there!
3:32 - ESB planted aesthetic seeds in future Star Wars content.
8:37 - Threepio's analog voice cycling.
21:54 - The role of the timpani roll in transitions.
28:05 - What differentiates the timpani from other percussion? Focused pitch, blending ability, etc.
35:40 - "He's no good to me dead." Boba Fett voice. Changing voice actors. Overdubbing.
47:09 - Jeans guy.
50:40 - Yub Nub.
55:14 - Lando's line delivery, Vader's passive-aggressive email, Threepio's aggression, and Chewie's laugh.
1:03:27 - The funniest line in the movie, according to James. Star Wars torture.
1:13:12 - "My friend" ADR with Han's punch.
1:18:25 - Han and Leia's theme doesn't resolve.
1:20:50 - Putting Vader's plan in perspective.
1:29:16 - Slower Imperial March.
1:24:44 - Hiyah claw.
1:36:53 - SWMM Questionnaire

Cues:

9M3 "Putting ThreePio Together"
9M4 "Trouble In Prison"
9M6/10M1 "Carbon Freeze"

Musical Themes:

Droids
Imperial March (Theme)
Han & Leia (A Section)
Main Theme (A Section)
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/

Where are we in the soundtrack?

"Betrayal at Bespin"
"Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader's Trap/Departure of Boba Fett"

----------

Star Wars Music Minute Questionnaire:

1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?

Justin: Nar. Ra. Tive. (Previous answers: Grandiose, sweeping, futuristic. Pew pew pew.)
James: Pew. Vrooppf. Rrrrrr. (Previous answers: Bum bum bum. The Band Batch.)

2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?

Justin: Who makes the decision to replace dialogue? (Previous: How is all the foley done?)
James: When original voice actors are replaced by new people, what are those industry conversations like? Is there something in the actors' contracts about the possibility of being replaced? What about SAG, legal specifics, etc? (Previous: What is on-set sound like? What is John Williams's writing process like?)

3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?

Justin: It Follows (DisasterPeace). Previous: Stranger Things (Kyle Dixon/Michael Stein), War of the Worlds (John William), The Village (James Newton Howard).
James: The Shining (Wendy Carlos). Previous: Untitled (David Lang), Hereditary (Colin Stetson).

---------

Justin Scheid