I couldn’t help but notice that last week’s movie I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses was the first film score to be written by Howard Shore, a legendary film composer who many may not realise is Canadian. Here at Hollywood North Magazine, we endeavour to highlight Canadian talent, but I’ll be the first to admit that the lion’s share of the spotlight ends up falling on those most visible among the film crafts: actors and writers.
While these professionals certainly deserve their share of the glory, I’d like to use this week’s column to highlight some other prominent Canucks who have devoted their talents to other areas of the film industry. Even if you haven’t heard their names, you’ve almost certainly seen their movies:
HOWARD SHORE (Composer)
Born in 1946 in Toronto, Shore may have started his film career with one of the worst titles reviewed on this site, but more than made up for it in his subsequent collaborations with horror legend David Cronenberg and master auteur Martin Scorcese.
Winning three of his four oscar nominations. Shore’s sublime and thrilling music can be heard in such films as The Fly, The Silence of the Lambs, Mrs. Doubtfire, Se7en, and his most legendary and likely everyone’s favourite: The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
PAUL CAMERON (Director of Photography)
Born in 1958 in Montreal, Cameron was raised in New York City and considers Woody Allen’s former cinematographer Gordon Willis among his chief influences.
Composing images for both the large and the small screen, Cameron’ work can be seen in such titles as Gone in 60 Seconds, Collateral, Man on Fire, 21 Bridges, and HBO’s Westworld of which he also directed two episodes!
GRAHAM YOST (Screenwriter)
If you were an action film junkie in the 1990s, chances are Graham Yost was behind at least one of your favourites. Born in 1959 in Eboticoke Ontario, Yost’s father Elwy was the longtime host of TVOntario’s Saturday Night at the Movies which may have caused young Graham to be bit by the movie bug at a young age (tale as old as cinema!).
Starting with the Fox sitcom Herman’s Head in 1991, Yost moved up the ladder to start spilling ink on such action classics as Speed, Broken Arrow, and Hard Rain. He also penned one of the best movies I’ve reviewed on this site: The Grizzlies!
Next week: Whistler Film Festival 2024!