Young Adult TV Show

Indigo Line Productions went overseas to find our talented Music Supervisor/Composer, Rob Neary, who hails from England.  Rob recently completed his work for the pilot, and so I asked him some questions so fans could learn more about him.

1. How did you get involved in music?

My father bought me an electric guitar and lessons for my 16th birthday as Eric Clapton’s father did the same to him, and the rest is history. Over time I evolved from chasing the hit record to using my passion for movies and television by writing music for film/TV and have had many successful placements in commercials and media projects worldwide.

2. What are some programs/films/shows where we can hear your music?

My music features in the soundtrack to the Golden Globe winning film The Wrestler. Films this year featuring my music include Jeffie Was Here (makers of Hoodwinked) and The Way.

You will be able to hear my music in the Smithsonian Network TV documentary The Rivals due to be broadcast in Fall 2010. My track “Skater Punk” was used in the US National TV spot for the DVD launch of the hit film Couples Retreat (2010). I have also had music used in corporate websites, TV, Radio and internet adverts as well as audio media, toys and computer games.

3. What was the creative process behind selecting the music for Young Adult?

Everyone that knows me won’t deny that I have a creative and large imagination. I am very visual and see music in a scene, and this process helps me tie the two together. I always try to think outside of the box as well a use tried-and-tested means for a scene. The question a music supervisor should be asking [in the spotting process] is “Do we really need music?” as it is easier to add too much music and harder to limit it to only where it is needed.

4. What are some of your favourite television shows?

Well, being English, I love the old comedies like One Foot in the Grave, Father Ted, and Fawlty Towers. For US shows, I love LOST, Desperate Housewives, Fringe, and Heroes. I am a big animal documentary fan too.

5. How old is a ‘young adult’ and why?

Maybe in the UK it’s 20-24, and I guess in the US: 24 upwards? I guess a young adult is someone fresh on the market, doing their first job, and has a large group of friends. These are the days that shape your life.

Rob has done great work for the show. To see (and hear!) more of Rob Neary, check out the links below:

Rob’s website: www.robneary.com

Rob’s Production Music library: www.license.robneary.com

Also, Rob always has new tracks coming out. Click here to follow him on Twitter!

During one scene of Young Adult, the boys watch a show within our show. We needed some people to play the voices of the characters of that show, so I called in some of my all-stars.

Susannah Wells

Susannah Wells and I have worked on several projects together, including at least one other TV pilot. Her big, expressive eyes and fiery red hair make her a favorite actress to work with. You can catch her in a short film by Ishu Krishna debuting soon where she plays a government agent as well as in the cast of Work Place from Director Nick Gay.

Ryan Gillis

Ryan Gillis and I have performed live together as improv artists in Slow News Day during last year’s Fringe Fest. This is when I discovered Ryan’s natural comedic timing as well as his willingness to do anything to help a project. He also did Props for YA as well as appearing briefly as an extra.

Derek Jones

Derek Jones recently returned to acting after many years in hiatus. I’ve never met anyone with such an outstanding mix of sardonic and goofy humor. He will be joining Susannah and I in Work Place and Stacy Wilson and Lauren Abramson in the sketch troupe Won’t Play in Periora.

Michelle Murad

Michelle Murad and I have been in at least four projects together (we counted the last time we saw each other at an audition!) including one where I smothered her with a pillow. She has extensive credits on IMDB as well as a gift for learning new things quickly. I’m thrilled to include her in the YA family.

Mike Blejer

Mike Blejer and I have met on the set of a short film where we shared two scenes together. Since then we’ve been on different projects, but are reuniting as I direct the web series pilot of his popular standup routine, Symbology. I snagged him to provide some voice work for the show before he gets too big for me to afford him.

We had most of our cast and crew from 48 Hour Film Project, but needed to finish it off.  Aditi, a schoolmate at American University, asked me if  I knew any DPs for the pilot she was producing “Hard To Be Me”.    ”Hard To Be Me” is a spec tv pilot Created by Edward Robert Bach, Directed by Erik Cieslewicz, and Produced by Virginia Ryker, Aditi Desai, Edward Robert Bach, and Lauren Gildner.  Aditi mentioned she was shooting with a Sony EX1 and a Letus DoF adapter. I said I can do it and I had the same setup.  She didn’t know that I knew camera work.  When I got there, I learned that Gene, who was our gaffer for 48 Hour Film Project, was one of the DPs.  I didn’t know he DP’d.  I ran into tons of other great people on set.  So, we welcome to YA from “Hard to be Me”: Vinson, Kit, Gene, Allen, Matt, Aditi, Nadine, and Sabra.

Enjoy some production stills mostly taken by Nadine, except the one of herself of course.

Al booming it up

Gene with his toys

Ishu with her Cam

Nadine in Front of the cam instead of Behind

Matt taking a break from sound

Sabra at Work

Aditi Producing

Young Adult may be my baby, but I’m also getting the chance to stretch my acting muscles in a few other projects.  One of those is from creator/director Ruben Najera and Comcast.  It’s called Singled, and it’s about newly single Ed (played by yours truly) as he pieces his life back together after his girlfriend of several years abruptly dumps him when they move to the city.

I mention this project also because YA’s own Nick Gay (‘Slate’) plays one of my new drinking buddies in the pilot episode.  Below is a great promotional photograph taken by Adrian of the Singled crew.

Singled is a fun project, and I’ll be sure to post the link to watch the pilot online once it’s up.  Nick and I also get to stretch our range since our characters on Singled are the polar opposites of Slate and War in Young Adult.

I participated in the 48 Hour Film Project for the 6th time in Washington, DC this year.  My friends Mike Morsey and Matt Melnicoff worked with me on the project last year, and were eager to participate again this year.  I sent out a note to the folks working with me on The Gym.  J.W. Crump said he would love to act, but also be part of the writing team.  He rattled off some ideas to me, which I instantly loved.  I brought him on board to the writing team without hesitation.

Our writing sessions went very well, and we churned out a screenplay in record time in the history of my participation in 48 Hour Film Project.  I was happy to learn that Mike, Matt, and J.W. got along and enjoyed writing together.  Thus, formed the beginnings of the “Young Adult” writing team.  See a video below of our writing session.

Below is a picture of us on the Open Bar set:

Mike, Ishu, J.W., and Matt on the set of Open Bar

Watch the film Open Bar below:

- Ishu

Several of the Young Adult cast and crew were lucky enough to meet and work together on The Gym, a spec TV pilot created by Erika Grace Allen.  You can find out more about The Gym by going to their website.  Lauren, Nick, Ishu, Dan, Ian, Lisa, and me are featured in some great on-set pictures that were recently released.  Take a look below!

[All pictures are copyright Happy Banana Productions and taken by the talented and fratty Mike Cuthriell]

Executive Producers J. W. and Ishu - totally in charge now

J. W. becoming 50% less blotchy.

Sound Guru Dan Ostroff

DP Ian Rushing and Nick Gay ('Slate') - being very professional at all times

Lauren ('Vikki') getting her hair purty-fied.

More makeup for J. W.

Lisa Denny calls the shots