In a captivating panel discussion at Deadline Contenders Film: Los Angeles, director Jason Reitman and music composer Jon Batiste revealed the unconventional approach they took in crafting the score for their latest collaboration, Saturday Night. Batiste shared how the music was intentionally designed to be the "villain" of the film, serving as an allegory for the relentless pressure of time that the characters face.

Defying Expectations: Music as the Anti-Score

Reitman and Batiste's creative partnership on Saturday Night was marked by a bold decision to eschew the traditional orchestral score in favor of a more unconventional approach. Batiste explained that after numerous discussions with the director, it became clear that the music would not follow the typical mold of a film score. Instead, it would serve as an "anti-score," a deliberate subversion of audience expectations.

Capturing the Essence of the Moment

Batiste's approach to composing the score was rooted in the idea of capturing the energy and vibes of the moment, rather than relying on a pre-conceived musical framework. He described the process as a live, in-the-moment creation, where the composer would watch clips of the film, let the energy of the scene transmit to him, and then immediately compose and dictate the music to the band. This spontaneous, improvisational approach allowed the music to become an integral part of the filmmaking process, informing the editing and shaping the overall tone and rhythm of the movie.

The Villain Within: Music as an Allegory for Time

Reitman and Batiste's decision to position the music as the "villain" of the film was a deliberate choice, with the composer explaining that the music served as an allegory for the relentless pressure of time that the characters in Saturday Night faced. The score was designed to never provide a sense of resolution, even by the end of the film, mirroring the constant ticking of the clock that looms over the characters' lives.

A Live, Immersive Experience

The live, in-the-moment approach to composing the score also created a unique on-set experience for the cast and crew. Batiste described how the entire team would often stay on set to witness the music being created, turning the process into a "second shift" of sorts. The energy and excitement of the live performances captivated the crew, who were treated to a "free concert" as the music was being composed and recorded.

Embracing the Unexpected

Reitman marveled at Batiste's ability to compose and direct the music in real-time, with the director noting that the composer's process of "calling out notes" and mouthing everything out made little sense to him initially. However, as the music began to play, Reitman was struck by the sheer power and emotion it evoked, a testament to Batiste's ability to capture the essence of the moment and infuse the film with a palpable sense of energy and urgency.

A New Approach to Film Scoring

Batiste's unconventional approach to the Saturday Night score represents a departure from traditional film scoring methods. By immersing himself in the filmmaking process and capturing the energy of the moment, the composer was able to create a score that not only informed the edit but also became an integral part of the overall cinematic experience. This innovative approach, as Batiste noted, is "the new way" of composing for film, blurring the lines between music and storytelling.