Interview with Justin Freer: Creating the Magic for CineConcerts
On July 5, CineConcerts is coming to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, for an unforgettable experience: presenting Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in concert. In anticipation of the event, MuggleNet had the chance to speak with Justin Freer, the conductor of the show and the founder of CineConcerts.
Freer is thrilled to be able to share this magical, immersive experience with the fans:
[Harry Potter] has some of the most loyal fanbases in the world. I’ve always loved the music from the film, and I certainly have my favorite moments in the score and within the music. For me, it’s about creating a true concert and a true experience. This is something I’ve been passionate about since I was a boy.
One of the most important things to Freer is the immersive and unique nature that the live music provides; he says that this experience is truly like nothing else that fans can experience. His goal is to curate a special experience for the audience. He describes it as a “see it to believe it deal,” and he promises to make the music blow you away. This isn’t an ordinary concert at the Bowl – Freer is taking his opportunity very seriously to create a moving performance for the fans.
One of the things that gets lost in the living room is how important the music is to the picture […] I hope that by putting the music on stage, this visceral impact will surround the fans. You can relive favorite moments, and your favorite lines from the characters. It’s really all about becoming immersed in the series.
When asked about what he was especially looking forward to, Freer said he was particularly excited for the “globally iconic” venue of the Hollywood Bowl, staffed, and performed by the unforgettable Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Patrick Doyle crafted an “incredibly dramatic” score for Goblet of Fire, and some of Freer’s favorite moments include the “brass band from Hogwarts […] and the adventure in the water with Harry saving his friends.” It promises to be an absolutely unforgettable show.
Freer’s joy for CineConcerts comes from being able to dive back into the films and study the music on a deeper level, but he shared with us some of his best memories from the past shows:
One of my favorite things [about the experience] is consistent – being able to listen back occasionally to the audience and hear the laughter of children. It makes the long days and long nights really worthwhile. One of the things that separate this franchise is those younger generations when the books first came out now have the experience to relive them through the films and through the music.”
What does Freer promise to give CineConcert fans next? He aims to continue telling Harry’s story, delve deeper into the films, and explore all eight films’ “unique storylines and unique music.”
