Christopher Willis and the Music of Cat Burglar

Join us on June 10 as special guest Christopher Willis joins us to discuss his Emmy-winning score to Netflix’s interactive cartoon Cat Burglar (2022). The show was the brainchild of Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, who wanted to expand on the technology behind the choose-your-own-adventure Black Mirror episode “Bandersnatch”, while also creating a loving homage to the work of MGM animation pioneer Tex Avery in the 1940s and 50s. The music, in turn, pays tribute to the work of MGM’s resident musical genius Scott Bradley. Whereas Carl Stalling typically worked with the entire Warner Brothers studio orchestra, Bradley at MGM worked with a smaller group, part big band and part Schoenbergian chamber orchestra. Chris embarked on a deep dive into Bradley’s work, scoring the show for the same line-up used for countless Tom & Jerry cartoons. Where Cat Burglar notably differed from the classics, of course, was that the music had to adapt in real time to the almost limitless number of possible paths the player might take, forcing him to grapple with how 1950s cartoon music can meet the demands of a 2020s video game.

This is an in-person event taking place at the Laemmle theater in NOHO! You do not have to be an ASA member to attend, but we offer discounts to our members.

We will provide coffee and pastries prior to the event. The theater concession stand will also be open.

5240 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

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