Giona Ostinelli Explained

Giona Ostinelli
Occupation:Composer, producer, musician
Website:belousova-ostinelli.com
Birth Date:12 March 1986
Birth Place:Vacallo, Ticino, Switzerland

Giona Ostinelli (pronounced as /it/; born 12 March 1986) is a Swiss–Italian composer who resides and works in Los Angeles.

Ostinelli is best known for his critically acclaimed work on Netflix's hit fantasy series The Witcher. The Witcher Original Soundtrack Album, featuring songs and score composed and produced by Ostinelli and his scoring partner Sonya Belousova, has achieved commercial success and critical recognition. The album debuted #1 on iTunes Top Soundtracks[1] with the enormously successful hit single "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" #1 on iTunes Top Soundtrack Songs[2] and #1 on Billboard Digital Rock Songs Sales.[3] The album charted #4 on iTunes for Top Albums (behind only Eminem, Breaking Benjamin, and Chase Rice)[4] and in the top ten in every major territory in the world. "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" broke into the Billboard charts: Billboard Top Current Albums,[5] Billboard Top Album Sales,[6] Billboard Top Soundtrack Albums,[7] and The Billboard 200.[8] The song has quickly become a viral sensation and a worldwide phenomenon.Thrillist "the biggest banger of 2020,"[9] Entertainment Weekly "a viral hit,"[10] Esquire "the best part of Netflix's series,"[11] The Verge "the hit song of the season,"[12] while Forbes stated that "the viral earworm became just as famous as the show."[13]

Ostinelli has written scores for over 35 feature films that premiered at Sundance Film Festival,[14] Tribeca Film Festival,[15] [16] Cannes International Film Festival,[17] South by Southwest Film Festival,[18] [19] among others. Ostinelli's score for breakout psychological thriller Darling released by Lakeshore Records and fan favorite Mondo Records has been described as "one of the most interesting and innovative soundscapes".[20] His soundtrack for POD has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards for Best Original Score.[21]

Ostinelli is also known for his work on Tobio: The Puppet Master (Тобио: Мастер Кукол) – a theater production directed by George Dolmazyan (Георгий Долмазян), recipient of the Russian Ministry of Culture Award.[22] [23] [24] Tobio: The Puppet Master premiered on 23 April 2013 at the Moscow State Theater U Nikitskikh Vorot (Московский Государственный Театр у Никитских Ворот) in Moscow, Russia.[25]

The Huffington Post described Ostinelli as "an innovator with "surprise" coded into his DNA".[26]

Early life and education

Ostinelli was born in Vacallo, Switzerland. His mother, Mariella Ostinelli Socchi, is a well-known Swiss painter.[27] Ostinelli started playing drums at the age of 5 and piano at the age of 9. He holds degrees in film scoring from Berklee College of Music and University of Southern California Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program where he was a selected protege of renowned film composer Alan Silvestri.[28]

That was so special to me because I grew up listening to his [Alan's] music and never thought that one day I would have such a fantastic opportunity of meeting him. Alan and I spoke a lot, especially about the business side and inner relations of the industry, which was incredibly valuable for me at that early stage of my career.[29]

Career

Film and television music

Ostinelli's soundtrack for The Mist was released in 2017 by BMG Records. The record contains exclusively Ostinelli's score for the show.[30] Based on the Stephen King's novella of the same name, The Mist has been reimagined for television by Christian Torpe and stars Frances Conroy, Alyssa Sutherland and Morgan Spector.[31]

In 2016 Ostinelli wrote the score for Darling, a breakout psychological thriller directed by Mickey Keating starring Lauren Ashley Carter, Sean Young and Larry Fessenden. Ostinelli's original soundtrack was released by Lakeshore Records, with fan favorite Mondo Records releasing a special edition on vinyl.[32] The score received a wide critical acclaim being praised by Film Music Critics as "one of the most interesting and innovative soundscapes", The New York Times described it as "a soundtrack alternating among ambient Lynchian strains and snatches of hard-core rock",[33] and IndieWire stated "what builds the unsettling atmosphere in Darling is the fantastic sound work that enhances the imagery on screen".[34]

In 2016 Ostinelli scored Keating's action-thriller Carnage Park that received its world premiere at Sundance and played at the SXSW. The A.V. Club raved: "Carnage Park's score is full of unnerving dissonance, fueling the sense of dread... But for all the off-kilter instrumentation and recording techniques, Ostinelli always keeps a notion of harmony and melody underneath the surface. It's perfect for Carnage Park because the score works on different levels, much like the film."[35] Collider stated that "the sepia color palette pairs perfectly with Keating's shot selection and Giona Ostinelli's original score. Together they manage to cover an especially impressive range between classic western heist flick and sheer nightmare."[36] Carnage Park marks Ostinelli's fourth collaboration with Keating having previously scored Keating's POD, compared to "the best of the X-Files" by Richard Whittaker of The Austin Chronicle.[37] "POD is a solid and nihilistic thriller that will get in your head and under your skin. One of the reasons for this is the music by composer Giona Ostinelli," – writes Sinful Celluloid.[38] Ostinelli's score for POD was shortlisted for the 2016 Academy Awards.[39] Another collaboration of Ostinelli/Keating is Lionsgate's Ritual,[40] "aided greatly by the atmospheric musical score composed by Giona Ostinelli… Ostinelli's soundscape helps the plot move quickly and really gives you chills up the spine during many scenes in the film," – depicts Robyn Andrew of Cryptic Rock.[41]

Ostinelli wrote the score for Two-Bit Waltz starring Academy award nominees William H. Macy and David Paymer, Jared Gilman, Rebecca Pidgeon and Clara Mamet from executive producer Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet.[42] Directed by Clara Mamet Two Bit Waltz premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival[43] with Danny Gonzalez of The Examiner calling Ostinelli's score "musical magic". Same year Indigenous featuring original score by Ostinelli premiered at Tribeca. From Kilburn Media and producers of Chef and End of The Tour Indigenous was described as "the most intriguing film screening at this year's Tribeca Film Festival" by Bloody Disgusting.[44]

Ostinelli's other notable film credits include M.F.A. starring Francesca Eastwood and Emmy nominee Clifton Collins Jr.,[45] The Boat Builder starring Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd and Golden Globe nominee Jane Kaczmarek,[46] Like Me starring Addison Timlin and Larry Fessenden, Carter High starring Emmy winner Charles S. Dutton, MTV Movie Award winner Vivica A. Fox, Pooch Hall and BET Award winner David Banner from the executive producer and former NFL star Greg Ellis,[47] [48] How Sarah Got Her Wings[49] starring Teen Choice Award nominee Derek Theler and Lindsey Gort, Christmas Switch starring MTV Movie Award winner William Baldwin and nominee Denise Richards,[50] Little Loopers starring Grammy nominee Natalie Imbruglia, Golden Globe nominee Rob Morrow and Mark Moses,[51] Ghost Squad starring Emmy nominee Kevin Nealon, The Remains starring Todd Lowe, Brooke Butler and Maria Olsen, Recovery starring Rachel DiPillo, Samuel Larsen, James Landry Hébert and Kirby Bliss Blanton, Opening Night starring Grammy nominee Cheyenne Jackson and Anthony Rapp,[52] Little Miss Perfect starring Lilla Crawford.

In 2015 Nickelodeon premiered The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery with original score by Giona Ostinelli.[53] [54] The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery premiered #1 ranked program at its time in re K6-11 demographic. Same year Ostinelli scored CBBC TV pilot Zombies Next Door.

Ostinelli has been invited to contribute original music and orchestrate many films and television series including Homeland (Showtime), Elementary (CBS), Game Change (HBO), (FOX), Minority Report (FOX), Community (ABC), New Girl (FOX), Happy Endings (ABC), Bones (FOX), Before I Go To Sleep (Millennium Films, StudioCanal), Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (FOX), Abduction (Lionsgate), among others.

Music for theater

In 2012 Ostinelli was commissioned by the MOST Theater (Театр МОСТ) of Moscow, Russia to write an original score for Tobio: The Puppet Master (Тобио: Мастер Кукол), directed by George Dolmazyan (Георгий Долмазян), the recipient of the Russian Ministry of Culture Award.[22] Tobio: The Puppet Master premiered on 23 April 2013 at the Moscow State Theater U Nikitskikh Vorot (Московский Государственный Театр у Никитских Ворот).[55] [56] The commercial announcements of the show heavily advertised the score being "written for the show by Hollywood composer Giona Ostinelli" ("музыка, написанная для спектакля голливудским композитором Джионой Остинелли").[57] [58] [59]

"Tobio reminds me of a beautiful film with sudden transitions and change of scenes. One – and there's a foggy city street and scurrying around shadows with huge umbrellas. Two – and in stuffy scarlet light there're Eastern beauties ringing their bracelets dancing for their Peacock king. Three – and there's funny corps de ballet flying around a diva soloist and quarreling opera prima donnas. George Dolmazyan with mild irony and flawless taste builds a spectacular, bright and atmospheric show," – describes Alisa Nikolskaya of Teatralnaya Afisha (Театральная Афиша).[60] ("Тобио" напоминает красивый фильм с мгновенной сменой кадров. Раз – и появляются туманная городская улица и снующие тени с огромными зонтами. Два – и вот уже в душном алом свете восточные красавицы звенят браслетами, танцуя для своего Короля-Павлина. Три – и смешной кордебалет порхает вокруг красавца-солиста и ссорящихся оперных примадонн. Георгий Долмазян с мягкой иронией и безупречным вкусом выстраивает эффектное, яркое, атмосферное зрелище.)

Works

Film

YearTitleDirectorProduction Company
2015The Boat BuilderArnold GrossmanBlue Creek Pictures, Reunion Films
2015Carter HighArthur MuhammadSweet Chariot Productions
2015DarlingMickey KeatingGlass Eye Pix, Alexander Groupe
2015Carnage ParkMickey KeatingDiablo Entertainment
2015How Sarah Got Her WingsGary Entin and Edmund EntinMarVista Entertainment
2015Christmas TradeJoel SouzaBrand Inc. Entertainment
2015PODMickey KeatingAlexander Groupe, Illium Pictures
2015The RemainsThomas Della BellaDiablo Entertainment, EBF Productions
2015Little Miss PerfectMarlee RobertsFace Your Beast Productions
2015RecoveryDarrell WheatDiablo Entertainment, EBF Productions
2015Ghost SquadJoel SouzaBrand Inc. Entertainment
2015Little LoopersJim ValdezBrand Inc. Entertainment
2015Way of The Monkey's ClawMarc PriceNext Exit
2015I Am EvangelineChristine RogersBriarbird & Co
2015SorrowMillie LoredoFilm Vérité Productions
2015Ditch Day MassacreJoe HendrickWater Tree Media
2014Two-Bit WaltzClara MametEBF Productions
2014IndigenousAlastair OrrKilburn Media
2014Opening NightJack Henry RobbinsEBF Productions, Marina Productions
2014Happy CampJosh AnthonyFlower Films, Hogtown Productions
2014To SurviveStephen FolkerNo Pebble Films
2014Happy LogGary R. ThiemanGRT Productions
2014The Night StalkersChelsea Stardust PetersN/A
2014WashedDavid HefnerSmoking Cat Films
2013RitualMickey KeatingEBF Productions, After Dark Films
2013MagpieMarc PriceNowhere Fast Productions
2013Realm of SoulsChase SmithSpirit World Productions
2013PerditionChase SmithSpirit World Productions
2013Drowned OutNicholas K. Lory and Leo ClaussenZissou Pictures
2009Ecoviews: Three Stories From The Chesapeake BayBrad AllgoodN/A

Television

YearTitleDirector / CreatorProduction Company & Network
2023One Piece (soundtrack)Matt Owens and Steven MaedaTomorrow Studios / Netflix
2019The WitcherLauren Schmidt HissrichThe Sean Daniel Company / Netflix
2017The MistChristian TorpeThe Weinstein Company / Spike TV
2015The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School MysteryWill Eisenberg and Aaron EisenbergPrincipato-Young Entertainment / Nickelodeon
2014 (additional music)Robert Cochran and Joel SurnowImagine Television / FOX
2013Destroy The Alpha GammasScott Brown50,000 Ronin Productions
2013Edge of NormalAmanda OvertonWonderly
2013Red ScareLee CitronN/A
2013VigilanteCiaran Michael VejbyN/A
2013Bite NightMagee CleggSubway
2012Game Change (additional music)Jay RoachHBO
2012Elementary (additional music)Robert DohertyHill of Beans Productions / CBS
2011Happy Endings (additional music)David CaspeFan Fare / ABC
2011Community (additional music)Dan HarmonUniversal Media Studios / NBC
2011Homeland (additional music)Alex Gansa and Howard GordonTeakwood Lane Productions / Showtime
2011Second Chance CharlieAmanda OvertonN/A

Short films

YearTitle
2015The Girl in the Green Dress
2015Luke 8
2015Bed
2015Kafka
2014Decay
2014Zari
2014Collared
2014A Hot Night in Georgia
2014Daniel
2014Without You
2013Desdy
2013After Hours
2013Unrequited
2013Shelton's Oasis
2013Check Out
2013Conscious
2013Little Reaper
2012The Concession
2012The Chemist
2012Brutus
2012Bobby's Girl
2012Angel
2012In Half
2012Most High
2012My Infinity
2012The Beast
2011Birth Mark
2011Smell My Feet
2011Getting Back En Pointe
2011A Made Man
2011Fallen
2011Ruby Slippers
2011Kev Ntsiag To
2011A Perfect Day
2011L & R
2011Out of Hand
2011The Frog Prince
2011Wedding Night
2011Uzak
2011You Talk And I will Shoot
2010Due
2010Breaking The Circle
2010Pillow Talk
2010Scal's Big Tip

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResult
2014The Streamy AwardsBest Original ScoreNominated[61]
2014IAWTV International Academy of Web Television AwardsBest Original ScoreNominated[62]
2012Telly AwardBest Use of MusicWon[63] [64]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: iTunes Top 100 Soundtracks. PopVortex. en. 2020-02-19.
  2. Web site: iTunes Top Soundtrack Songs. PopVortex. en. 2020-02-19.
  3. Rock Digital Song Sales. Billboard. 2020-02-19.
  4. Web site: Netflix's The Witcher Soundtrack is Now Available Online. VGR. 2020-01-25. VGR. en. 2020-02-19.
  5. Top Current Album Sales : Page 1. Billboard. 2020-02-19.
  6. Top Album Sales : Page 1. Billboard. 2020-02-19.
  7. Movie Soundtracks: Top Soundtrack Albums Chart. Billboard. 2020-02-19.
  8. Top 200 Albums Billboard 200 chart. Billboard. 2020-02-19.
  9. Web site: Fact: 'Toss a Coin to Your Witcher' Is the Biggest Banger of 2020. Stefansky. Emma. 2020-01-22. Thrillist. 2020-02-19.
  10. Web site: 'The Witcher' viral hit 'Toss a Coin to Your Witcher' is finally available on Spotify and Apple Music. EW.com. en. 2020-02-19.
  11. Web site: The Song From 'The Witcher' Is Actually a Low-Key Fantasy Banger. Miller. Matt. 2019-12-30. Esquire. en-US. 2020-02-19.
  12. Web site: Netflix blew the release for 'Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,' the hit song of the season. Gartenberg. Chaim. 2019-12-30. The Verge. en. 2020-02-19.
  13. Web site: A Month Late, 'Toss A Coin To Your Witcher' And The OST Are Finally Here (Legally). Tassi. Paul. Forbes. en. 2020-02-19.
  14. Web site: Carnage Park Review: Mickey Keating's Latest Sundance. 2016-01-27. Collider. en-US. 2016-05-22. 2016-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514194746/http://collider.com/carnage-park-review-ashley-bell-mickey-keating-sundance-2016/?. dead.
  15. Web site: Hot Tribeca Trailer: Chupacabra Horror Pic 'Indigenous'. Deadline. April 11, 2014 . 2015-10-09. en.
  16. Web site: Monterey Media and Tribeca Alum Clara Mamet Partner Up for 'Two-Bit Waltz' Distribution. Indiewire. July 17, 2014 . 2015-10-09.
  17. Web site: Cannes Court Métrage Festival de Cannes. registration.cannescourtmetrage.com. 2015-10-08.
  18. Web site: ASCAP Composers Score the 2015 SXSW Film Fest. www.ascap.com. 2015-10-08.
  19. Web site: Bloody Disgusting's SXSW 2016 Recap! – Bloody Disgusting!. 2016-03-23. Bloody Disgusting!. en-US. 2016-05-22.
  20. Web site: Soundtrack review: Darling (Giona Ostinelli – 2016) – A small measure of peace. soundtrackdreams.com. 2016-05-22.
  21. Oscars: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Among the 112 Films Eligible in Original Score Category. Billboard. 2016-05-22.
  22. Web site: Тобио: мастер кукол. www.afisha.ru. 2015-10-09.
  23. Web site: Георгий Долмазян – Фотографии, биография, фильмография – Афиша. www.afisha.ru. 2015-10-09.
  24. Web site: Георгий Долмазян. Актёрская школа "Талантино". 2015-10-08. 2016-03-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035330/http://www.kinotalantino.ru/teacher/16-georgiy-dolmazyan.html. dead.
  25. News: Мальчик Тим отправляется в путешествие с мастером кукол. MSK.kp.ru -. April 17, 2013 . 2015-10-09 . Ольга . Журавлева .
  26. Web site: Scoring Big With Prolific Young Film Composer Giona Ostinelli. The Huffington Post. August 28, 2015 . 2015-10-08.
  27. Web site: Memore copertina 2/2007 Città di Mendrisio. www.mendrisio.ch. 2015-10-08.
  28. Web site: Q&A With Composer Giona Ostinelli. futurecomposer.com. 2015-10-08.
  29. Web site: Composer Giona Ostinelli Creates Musical Magic With "Two Bit Waltz". January 8, 2015. The Examiner. Gonzalez. Danny. August 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190810113512/https://www.gionaostinelli.com/#!/zoom/c1vr7/image_20es. dead.
  30. Web site: Soundtrack for Spike TV's 'The Mist' Series Released Film Music Reporter. 2017-08-06.
  31. News: 'The Mist': Spike's Stephen King Adaptation Begins Production In Nova Scotia. Petski. Denise. 2016-07-18. Deadline. 2017-08-06. en-US.
  32. Web site: Darling: Score By Giona Ostinelli Out On 4/1, Psychological Thriller Opens In Theaters 4/1. 2016-03-29. Film Music Daily. 2016-05-29. 2016-03-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160330013144/http://filmmusicdaily.com/2016/03/29/darling-giona-ostinelli-preview/. dead.
  33. News: Review: 'Darling,' a Horror Outing. Webster. Andy. 2016-03-31. The New York Times. 2016-05-29. 0362-4331.
  34. Web site: 'Darling' Dir. Mickey Keating on Being Inspired by Classic Horror to Form Highly Stylized Nightmares. Aguilar. Carlos. SydneysBuzz. 2016-05-29.
  35. News: Take an exclusive look inside the mind of a composer with Carnage Park's Giona Ostinelli. 2016-06-22. 2017-08-06.
  36. Web site: Carnage Park Review: Mickey Keating's Latest Sundance. 2016-01-27. Collider. en-US. 2016-05-29. 2016-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514194746/http://collider.com/carnage-park-review-ashley-bell-mickey-keating-sundance-2016/?. dead.
  37. Web site: SXSW Film Review: Pod. austinchronicle.com. 2015-10-08.
  38. Web site: Interview: POD Composer Giona Ostinelli. sinfulcelluloid.com. September 4, 2015 . en. 2015-10-08.
  39. Oscars: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Among the 112 Films Eligible in Original Score Category. Billboard. 2016-05-29.
  40. Web site: Retro-Horror Pic 'Ritual' Lands Buyers. Deadline. April 5, 2013 . en. 2015-10-08.
  41. Web site: Ritual (Movie review). crypticrock.com. January 22, 2014 . 2015-10-08.
  42. Web site: Monterey Media Acquires Clara Mamet's 'Two-Bit Waltz'. Deadline. July 17, 2014 . 2015-10-09. en.
  43. News: A Night Out With Clara Mamet Debuting Her Film 'Two-Bit Waltz' at the Tribeca Film Festival. The New York Times. April 18, 2014. 2015-10-08. 0362-4331. Jacob. Bernstein.
  44. Web site: [Tribeca '14] Blood-Sucking Chupacabra Gets 'Indigenous' -]. bloody-disgusting.com. March 21, 2014 . 2015-10-08.
  45. Web site: Composers Giona Ostinelli and Sonya Belousova Premiering Two New Films at SXSW. Weinkauf. Gregory. 2017-03-13. Huffington Post. en-US. 2017-08-06.
  46. Web site: Christopher Lloyd Starring in Indie Film 'The Boat Builder'. The Hollywood Reporter. August 13, 2014 . 2015-10-08.
  47. Web site: Trailer: Charles S. Dutton, Vivica A. Fox, David Banner in Film Based on Controversial 1988 Carter High School Football Team. Shadow and Act. 2015-10-09.
  48. Web site: A Former Dallas Cowboy Revisits Friday Night Lights. MMQB. Vrentas. Jenny. 7 August 2015 . August 7, 2015.
  49. Web site: Lindsey Gort Tapped For 'Heaven Sent'; Katie Garfield Joins 'Birth of a Nation': Film Castings. Deadline. May 16, 2015 . en. 2015-10-09.
  50. Web site: Cannes: 13 Films, Brand Inc. Sign Multiple Film Deal. Variety. May 17, 2015 . en. 2015-10-09.
  51. Web site: Tika Sumpter Cast in James Brown Biopic 'Get on Up'; Boyd Kestner, Natalie Imbruglia Topline Indie Comedy 'Little Loopers'. Deadline. November 15, 2013 . en. 2015-10-09.
  52. Web site: Cheyenne Jackson & Anthony Rapp Set to Star in High School Drama Club Comedy Opening Night. Broadway.com. 2015-10-09.
  53. Web site: Nickelodeon Orders Two Animated Series, Greenlights Four Live-Action Pilots. The Hollywood Reporter. September 26, 2013 . 2015-10-09.
  54. Web site: The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery Trailer. www.nick.com. 2015-10-09. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042420/http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/massively-mixed-up-middle-school-mystery-evergreen-trailer.html. dead.
  55. Web site: "Афиша": спектакль "Тобио: мастер кукол" поставили в театре МОСТ. m24.ru. 2015-10-08.
  56. Web site: Тобио: мастер кукол. www.afisha.ru. 2015-10-08.
  57. Web site: Тобио: Мастер Кукол. Time Out. 2015-10-07.
  58. Web site: Театр МОСТ покажет лондонскую сказку для всей семьи. www.teatral-online.ru. 2015-10-07.
  59. Web site: Тобио: Мастер кукол – Отдых с детьми – OSD.RU. www.osd.ru. 2015-10-07.
  60. Web site: "Тобио: Мастер кукол", Ф. Велиев, Г. Долмазян – Театральная Афиша. www.teatr.ru. 2015-10-07.
  61. Web site: 4th Annual Winners & Nominees. The Streamy Awards. 2015-10-08.
  62. Web site: 2014 IAWTV Awards Nominees and Winners. International Academy of Web Television. 2015-10-08. February 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206080343/http://www.iawtv.org/2014-iawtv-awards-nominees-and-winners/. dead.
  63. Web site: Giona Ostinelli. Movli. 2015-10-15.
  64. Web site: Most High – We won another two Awards!!! Congrats to... Facebook. www.facebook.com. 2015-10-15.