07/15/10
Chance Thomas to speak at Gaming & Electronics Expo
The Gaming & Electronics Expo, otherwise known as the GEEX show, will be held this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas will be on hand, speaking on the panel "Audio: The Special Sauce for Games" hosted by Mike Nielson of Wahoo Games. The Audio panel presentation is scheduled for 4:00 pm Saturday, July 16.
06/01/10
HUGE new score for Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment, a global leader in electronic entertainment has secured the services of HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas to create the score for a new unannounced title. Details will be posted in the coming months, as the publisher makes them available.
05/31/10
new musical gets HUGE treatment
A new musical production for stage and screen entitled, FRIDAY NITE, will feature songs composed by Chance Thomas and a team of other talented writers. The story takes place in the 1950's, transporting the audience back to the height of the era through song, story and exciting action.
05/27/10
MI talk makes HUGE impression in Hollywood
HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas spoke to students and faculty at the Musicians Institute of Hollywood today, detailing the experiences of scoring for videogames. Said student Joe Sloan, "Chance did a wonderful, truly inspiring and empowering clinic at our institute today and it was quite an experience to listen to and learn from a true innovator."
Last year's critically acclaimed videogame score from James Cameron's Avatar formed the centerpiece of the discussion.
Student Association President Kole was responsible for arranging the presentation. Said Kole afterwards, "The people who attended the event thought that your presentation was one of the best and most informative they've ever been to at MI (both students and faculty). In fact, word has spread throughout the school...a "waiting list" is forming to view the DVD!"
05/19/10
Champions Online features chance thomas music
Champions Online, Cryptic Studios long anticipated follow-up to City of Heroes and City of Villains, released with music tracks by HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas. Champions Online debuted last September, but we neglected to post a news item about it at the time. Chance composed several multi-layered music tracks for the title, based on the exclusive HUGEmusic STAX layered music mapping system. In this system, music layers are created based on inter-related maps specifying harmonic, dynamic and rhythmic anchor points. The effect of the layering is additive, so that the timbre, shape, dynamic and intensity of the music evolves as layers are combined.
05/17/10
KONG music gem discovered on YouTube
We found this old video clip of Chance conducting the Northwest Sinfonia and Choir, interspersed with gameplay video from Peter Jackson's King Kong. We hope you enjoy it.
05/03/10
international recognition for AVATAR game score
The U.K. Music Awards has called out the videogame score from James Cameron's AVATAR for Special Recognition in its annual survey of top scores throughout the film, television and game industries. In addition, Movie Music Online has awarded the music an Honorable Mention in their yearly publication of music awards and honors.
These follow the prestigious MUSIC OF THE YEAR Nomination and Finalist Award given by the Game Audio Network Guild earlier this year. A heartfelt Thank You! from HUGEsound to the leadership, staff, membership and judges of each organization.
04/12/10
Chance Thomas honored as #1 rated speaker
During the week of March 9-13, 2010, more than 18,000 videogame industry professionals converged on San Francisco for the annual Game Developer's Conference. According to the conference website, GDC 2010 offered 466 unique sessions, featuring 722 prominent speakers from across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. In an official report sent to all conference speakers, GDC Operations Manager Kara Foley wrote, "Big kudos to Chance Thomas for delivering the number one rated lecture at GDC entitled, "AVATAR Score Postmortem: High Stakes, Challenges, Universal Takeaways. Chance set the bar high...!" Our own kudos go to Video Games Live founder Tommy Tallarico, who introduced the session, to engineer John Rodd who held things together behind the scenes, and to Evelyn Donis and the Audio Advisory Board. We'd also like to send out some HUGE appreciation to everyone who attended the session, offered their enthusiastic participation, and wrote such kind evaluations afterwards. Thank you!
04/06/10
YouTube gets HUGE channel
This is kind of fun. It's a new way for interested listeners to experience our music, in most cases coupled with the visual images that inspired it. Check it out - HERE.
03/31/10
HUGE new score for EA
Electronic Arts has secured the scoring services of HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas for a new, unannounced title. Details will be posted in the coming months, as the publisher makes them available.
03/27/10
Musician's Institute of Hollywood books HUGE clinic
Chance Thomas will present his AVATAR SCORE POSTMORTEM as a clinic to the students at Hollywood's Musician's Institute on May 27, 2010. Musicians Institute is the world's leading music school based in Los Angeles, providing quality education and hands-on training for contemporary music performance in guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and voice. They also provide educational programs in audio recording, guitar making, music business, interactive game audio and films.
03/18/10
HUGE splash at GDC
HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas was a featured speaker at the Game Developer's Conference held in San Francisco, March 9-13. He first spoke on the Emotional Recipe of Music with fellow composers Tom Salta (H.A.W.X.), Marty O'Donnell (Halo), Paul Lipson (Iron Man 2) and Laura Karpman (Everquest 2), lifting the hood to explain specific ingredients of harmony, melody and rhythm contributing to feelings of terror, panic, flying, victory, exploration, etc. Great panel, very useful to young composers!
Chance also gave a GDC presentation entitled AVATAR Postmortem: High Stakes, Challenges and Universal Takeaways. This session of GDC was extremely well received by a broad cross-section of the conference. Here are a few generous quotes from attendees:
"This was the best [GDC] panel of the year. Chance Thomas not only proved himself to be an amazing public speaker, controlling the pace of the session and driving audience participation, but he is also somebody who really cares about helping the next generation of composers get on their feet." - Jayson Napolitano, Videogame Music Editor, Original Sound Version Webzine
"Chance Thomas delivered a masterful presentation of the challenges he faced while composing the score for the AVATAR video game. His highly organized analysis of the scoring process, delivered with clarity, insight and humor, provided valuable lessons for experienced game audio professionals as well as the less sophisticated among us. Bravo, Chance!" - Ron Ramin, Television Composer (Disney Channel, NBC, ABC, CBS, etc.)
"Chance presented invaluable insight into the rare and exciting process of producing a massive quantity of music - with an impossible deadline - for a video game based on the highest-grossing film of all time. His detailed account of this amazing journey both entertains and provides plenty of food for thought, giving students and colleagues an opportunity to catch more than just a glimpse of the rollercoaster that was Avatar: The Game." - Richie Nieto, Composer, Sound Designer, Satellite Sound Post
Many thanks to Evelyn Donis, Brian Schmidt, Kenny Young, Tommy Tallarico and Dave Ranyard for putting together such a stellar audio track for this year's GDC!
03/03/10
new Chance Thomas interview online at GSOUNDTRACKS now
In today's published interview, Chance talks about the past, current and future state of videogame music. He offers new behind-the-scenes details from his classic scores for Lord of the Rings Online, King Kong, Avatar and Quest for Glory V. He talks about his dream project(s), discusses film composers, and even offers a list of current music in his CD player and iPod. Read the complete interview - HERE.
02/02/10
I Saw You On TV! features Chance Thomas tunes
Releasing today, I Saw You On TV! Videogame Composers (Volume 1) includes two previously unreleased tracks by HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas. The first track, MY NATIVE COUNTRY features an inspirational melody on ethnic flute, slowly growing into an army of hand percussion and orchestra, with a patriotic twist at the end. The second track, THE YEARNING is a climbing, aspiring piece. The orchestration reaches searchingly for something of nobility, something of greatness, all underscored with a pulsing rhythm and driving guitars. Both songs, as well as a number of other great tracks by the industry's top composers, are available now for download purchase at Amazon.com.
01/19/10
AVATAR game music now online
Interested in hearing some of Chance Thomas' celebrated videogame score for James Cameron's AVATAR? Samples are now available online. Check it out here: EXCERPTS MONTAGE and FEATURED TRACK
01/01/10
HUGE studio upgrades for 2010
Happy New Year! HUGEsound is pleased to announce that we are retooling for 2010. Our recent investments in new state-of-the-art audio hardware and software upgrades will continue to keep HUGEsound at the leading edge of delivering outstanding quality music and sound to the world.
12/22/09
HUGE podcast - Tracksounds Avatar interview with composer Chance Thomas
Christopher Coleman runs a terrific soundtrack review site called Tracksounds. One of his cooler features is the Soundcast, a podcast dedicated to a particular composer or body of work. His Christmas week focus is the videogame score for Avatar. Check it out here: Soundcast
12/17/09
IGN posts new feature on Avatar game score
IGN Music Editor Brian Linder writes a terrific feature on the videogame music score from Avatar. He draws out a point of comparison between the game score and the film score, discusses the orchestral recording sessions in Los Angeles and Seattle, and touches on the sophisticated tech underlying the score's deployment in the game. Check it out here: IGN Interview
12/16/09
Critically acclaimed Mines of Moria tracks posted online
Apparently we don't get out enough. HUGEsound has just learned that for almost a year, full length music tracks from the critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, have been circulating clandestinely in cyberspace, compliments of You Tube. We've gathered three of those tracks for you and loaded them into our website music player - The Hollin Gate, Ages of the Golden Wood, and Drums in the Deep. Just click the Music button at the bottom of the frame (below) to launch the player, then select the SPOTLIGHT category. Enjoy!
12/14/09
Thomas speaks out on Avatar
Read the interview with John Gaudiosi, published on FaceOff Games earlier today. Chance offers a point of contrast in working for a James Cameron project versus working on a Peter Jackson project, offers details on the respective instrumentation of the Na'vi and the RDA, and talks about meeting with film composer James Horner. Here's the link: Face Off
12/11/09
USA TODAY calls out Avatar videogame score, labels it "IMPRESSIVE"
USA TODAY singled out Chance Thomas' original videogame music score from James Cameron's Avatar as a specific highlight in today's published review:
"The musical score by veteran game composer Chance Thomas and recorded with a 70-piece orchestra in three cities is impressive," applauds USA TODAY feature columnist Marc Saltzman. Saltzman's review is being syndicated this weekend to more than 100 Gannett Newspapers nationwide.
12/01/09
Thomas' Avatar score makes HUGE news
Several interviews and press features are newly online featuring Chance Thomas and the game music from James Cameron's Avatar. Here are a few links...
Nerdage / Deseret News / Game Culture / Line Scratchers / Fresno Bee / Game Daily / Daily Oklahoman / Industry Gamers
10/27/09
Avatar composers make HUGE connection
Composers for James Cameron's Avatar, film composer James Horner (right) and videogame composer Chance Thomas (left), meet in Horner's composition studio to preview parts of the upcoming film score. "I've been a massive fan of Horner's work ever since Battle Beyond the Stars", said Thomas. "To review music with him in person, to hear his Oscar-worthy work on this extraordinary film, to find him so professionally courteous and personally engaging has been a great honor and privilege."
10/27/09
Mormon Tabernacle hosts HUGE score
Shown with the Orchestra on Temple Square (L to R) producer Quinn Orr, Tabernacle Choir conductor Mack Wilberg and HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas.
Mack Wilberg conducts the Orchestra on Temple Square performing Chance Thomas' new signature theme for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
08/31/09
HUGE Avatar recording sessions in LA
Recording on the Legendary 20th Century Fox Newman Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, Avatar videogame composer Chance Thomas is shown here with recording engineer John Rodd. The scoring stage is visible in the background.
The brass parts in particular for Avatar were pretty intense. Some of the musicians took a moment after the sessions to show their true feelings for the composer. Also pictured are engineer John Rodd, conductor Paul Taylor, contractor Gina Zimmitti, and Pro Tools operator Larry Mah.
10/26/09
EA Releases Littlest Pet Shop: Friends
Electronic Arts has released another terrific title in their best selling lineup of Littlest Pet Shop games. Littlest Pet Shop: Friends hit retail stores last week and features an updated theme song contributed by Chance Thomas. Jenny Frogley delivered the vocals for the tune and Rich Dixon played all the guitars. Chance also designed the innovative pet language used throughout the game, as well as casting the voice talent and producing the recordings which comprise the pet's communications. Sound designers Jeff Meacham and Richie Nieto round out the title's engaging audioscape.
11/17/09
GameSoundCon HUGE success in San Francisco
Last week's GameSoundCon in San Francisco proved a big hit with its audience. With topics ranging across contracts, audio tools, sound design, implementation, RockBand Network training, career transitions and casual games, the conference offered something for everyone. Classes and panel discussions were given by an all-star lineup which included Paul Lipson, Tom Salta, Kane Mincus, Savina Ciaramella, Morla Gorrondona, Jeff Marshall, Brooke Wentz, Jeremy Bridge and event organizer Brian Schmidt. The keynote address was given by HUGEsound's own Chance Thomas. His focus on motivation, preparation and opportunity also seemed to strike a resonant chord with the audience:
"Articulate, dynamic and inspirational are just a few words that describe Chance Thomas' keynote address at GameSoundCon SF 2009. He left me with a real grasp of the commitment, passion and perfectionism required to succeed in the gaming industry."- Michael Brandeburg, Music Professor at Santa Rosa College
"Your talk was incredibly inspiring. You beefed up the self-confidence of most everybody there!"- Nicholas Duveau, Audio Director at Ubisoft Montreal
"Chance Thomas gave a great keynote - equal parts optimism and well grounded reality. His stories and delivery punctuated the need to believe in what you're doing, then back it up with good solid craft. He is precisely the kind of guy you want at the top of the industry giving a keynote. He was the perfect choice for GameSoundCon."- Michael Johnson, Composer at MJM Audio
"Thank you again for your incredible advice at the conference. You were truly an inspiration."- Claude Zdanow, Owner of Stadium Red Studios New York
PS - A final shout out to the visionary organizer of GameSoundCon, Brian Schmidt, for sensing the need and having the reach to pull this all together. GameSoundCon is the game industry's new "must-attend" event!
08/21/09
James Cameron's AVATAR gets HUGE videogame score
Ubisoft Entertainment, a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide, has selected multiple award-winning composer Chance Thomas to create the original game score for their highly anticipated holiday 2009 console title, James Cameron's AVATAR.
04/20/09
HUGE melody carries United Way
The United Way has called upon the music of HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas to underscore their message. The United Way is one of the world's largest non-profit organizations, chartered to identify and resolve pressing issues facing communities worldwide.
03/16/09
Chance Thomas to speak at GDC
HUGEsound composer and former Electronic Arts Audio Director Chance Thomas has been invited to speak at the annual Game Developer's Conference March 23-27. This year's conference is being held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. In addition to speaking at the conference, Chance also serves on GDC's Audio Advisory Board, assisting in the selection and planning of the audio portion of the conference.
03/14/09
Another great MORIA music review
Popular game music site Music4Games has published their music review of the Mines of Moria soundtrack. The site describes the score as "magical", "engaging", "well-composed" with "beautiful choral writing". The review calls out the tracks, "The Hollin Gate", "A Journey in the Dark" and "Mines of Mithril" for particular mention. Read the full soundtrack review - HERE.
03/02/09
RPG FAN reviews Moria, Angmar and QFG5
RPG Fan has posted a new retrospective on Chance Thomas, publishing three music reviews of classic Thomas scores, incuding the brand new Mines of Moria, the original Shadows of Angmar score, and Thomas' first game soundtrack, Quest for Glory V. Here's a sample comment: "Chance Thomas is one hip cat. Having composed music for film, television, and video games over the last two decades... RPGFan reviews his entire RPG-related discography in one fell swoop." Read the full story and reviews - HERE.
02/27/09
America's Most Wanted gets HUGEsound
Viewers of the television program "America's Most Wanted" recently heard Chance Thomas' original composition "Maritime Adventures" on the show.
02/17/09
Music of the Year nod for Moria score
The videogame industry's audio guild has honored the Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria score with an official nomination for MUSIC OF THE YEAR. Also called out by the guild for special recognition is the track Khazad Dum, nominated for Best Choral Song. See the full list of nominees - HERE.
02/02/09
Moria music detailed in in-depth review
A surprisingly indepth review of Chance Thomas' music work for the Mines of Moria - including a track by track analysis and critique - has been posted. In this broad and generous review you will find rare detail called out regarding the orchestration of specific tracks, thematic development and variation, live versus synthesized production, and specific implementation patterns of where (and when) you will find the music scattered throughout the game world. Uncommon and refreshing to find such depth and breadth in a game music story! Here's a sample comment: "The wandering violins are back, but this time they accompany a lush full orchestral pronouncement of the Theme. However, said theme always ends a minor step up from where you think it ought to, illustrating how all is not well in the Dwarf Kingdom. Heavy low brass are more prominent..." Read the full review - HERE.
01/02/09
EA strikes casual gold
Electronic Arts has announced over 2 million units sold of their new Hasbro games, led by Littlest Pet Shop and Nerf N-Strike. Chance Thomas directed a terrific audio team featuring Victor Crews, Jeff Meacham and Richie Nieto on both titles, and also contributed to the scores. Read the full article - HERE.
01/12/09
Mines of Moria soundtrack gets HUGE review
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector's Edition Soundtrack gets its first full review today on OSV. And we're pleased to announce that it's very favorable. To wit: "The Mines of Moria music... is strong enough to rival the film score. In some ways this music is superior to the film score." Wow. Can't wait to read what they say next...! Read the full review- HERE.
VIEW ARCHIVED NEWS - HERE