John Jesensky on Interesting Collaborative Efforts Stimulating Innovation in Hollywood

As a longtime Hollywood composer and conductor, John Jesensky possesses a unique understanding when it comes to the many nuances and subtleties capable of transforming an otherwise ordinary film into a cinematic masterpiece. Jesensky, a veteran of countless film scoring projects, recently weighed in on the increasing number of collaborations that have produced innovative and groundbreaking techniques benefiting the world of filmmaking.

Jesensky began by pointing out how Trent Reznor’s continued involvement in film scoring easily remains one of the more exciting and unpredictable developments currently influencing the industry. Reznor, the talented frontman for Nine Inch Nails, has not pursued this endeavor on a strictly solo basis, however, as the musician-turned-film-composer has collaborated with a wonderfully diverse cast of characters on projects that range from serious, 18-hour documentaries to more fast-paced, chase genre projects like the recently released Patriot’s Day.

According to Jesensky, relative newcomers like Reznor -- especially those willing to collaborate with such a wide range of professionals on such diverse projects -- have succeeded in elevating the art of film scoring through innovative practices largely borne out of collaborative endeavors in which talented individuals are exposed to a number of unique perspectives far different from their own. Reznor, along with Atticus Ross, has thus far worked on projects with David Fincher, Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, Peter Berg, and Fisher Stevens, among many others, with each resulting in moving film scores reflecting the full range of human emotion.

Although these collaborative practices are becoming much more commonplace throughout the filmmaking industry, the concept of creative enrichment through collaborative endeavors is hardly a new one. Jesensky, along with a number of fellow veteran composers and conductors, has long advocated for an increased focus on collaborative efforts between professionals of seemingly disparate backgrounds. Through increasing access to these productive collaborative pairings, the entire industry stands to reap tremendous rewards while a creative endeavor that is already recognized as instrumental in the art of filmmaking is held even higher aloft.

Jesensky also pointed out that even with the clear benefits associated with a greater sense of open-mindedness regarding collaborative projects, selectivity should nonetheless remain a significant consideration whenever a new opportunity arises. Some opportunities, of course, will always be total no-brainers, including, for example, Jesensky’s most recent collaboration with filmmaker Joe Russo or Reznor’s recent decision to accept an offer from Ken Burns to work on his latest documentary concerning the Vietnam War.