Meet award-winning composer, John Altman, whose credits as a film score composer include Funny Bones, Beautiful Thing, and so many more. He also scored the tank chase sequence in the James Bond film GoldenEye and arranged and produced the Academy Award-nominated period music for James Cameron’s film Titanic. John moved from London to LA (sort of) 23 years ago to pursue music
(photo by Craig T. Mathew)
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?I had just won the Anthony Asquith Award for film music (BAFTA) for Hear My Song directed by Peter Chelsom. It became a very popular movie in the US and I was offered the opportunity to score some US films so I came over and went straight into a screening from the plane. I managed to fall asleep – luckily waking up in time to discuss the score with the producers and director!
What one thing do you miss from home?
Although I had (and relinquished!) a Green Card I technically don’t live in LA – I maintain a place here but am bi – (or tri) continental these days. I always missed watching the cricket but thanks to the miracles of modern science I now am able to when in LA.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus the UK?
They are very different places in virtually every respect – I flip an automatic switch to ease back into one or the other. However since I am back and forth I am used to making that switch pretty quickly. (Did I mention the weather?)
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I’m really into the history of the city and rue the fact that so little attention is paid to the great days of Hollywood and that so much of old Los Angeles has been destroyed – I’d certainly recommend an investigation into the whole area around Adams and the Hollywood Historic Hotel for a start – they’re pretty much as they were in the Twenties.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here ?
LA, more than most cities, really is what you make it. My second son, who was producing the Graham Norton Show on British TV, and his wife are about to make the move and I’ve told them that it’s a great place to be if you take charge immediately – don’t be daunted by the city and its reputation.
John has a performance this Saturday at Desert Rose Restaurant, 1700 N. Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz. (www.desertroserestaurant.com). Reservations recommended.
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