Jack Wall(born 1964) is an Americanvideo game musiccomposer. He has worked on video game music for over 20 games including theMystfranchise,Splinter Cell,Jade Empire,Mass Effect,andCall of Duty.Wall earned a degree incivil engineeringfromDrexel UniversityinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,and, after a brief stint working in civil engineering, transitioned into music production. He worked with musicians such asJohn Cale,David Byrne,andPatti Smith,and, after performing increasingly complex production and sound engineering tasks, moved into music composition in 1995.
Jack Wall | |
|---|---|
 Wall at aVideo Games Liveevent in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1964 (age 59–60) Phoenixville, Pennsylvania,U.S. |
| Genres | Video game music |
| Occupation(s) | Composer,symphonist,conductor |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Wall immediately began working in the video game industry, composing the soundtrack toVigilance.Primarily composing in an orchestral style, by 2001 he composed the soundtrack toMyst III: Exile,which was the title he says put him on the map as a video game composer. In 2002, Wall became one of around 20 co-founders of the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) as well as senior director. In 2005, Wall, along with G.A.N.G. founder and fellow composerTommy Tallarico,produced theVideo Games Liveconcert series, having served as theconductorfor the international concert tour. His soundtracks forMyst III: Exile,Myst IV: Revelation,Rise of the Kasai,Jade Empire,Mass Effect,andMass Effect 2were nominated for and won multiple awards.[1]
Early life
editJack Wall, born inPhoenixville, Pennsylvania,[2]earned a degree incivil engineeringfromDrexel UniversityinPhiladelphiaand began a career "planning out sub-divisions and shopping malls".[3][4]At the same time he was in a rock band, as he was also interested in music. After recording a demo tape with the band, he was inspired to change career paths and quit his job to work in the music industry. He initially worked as a bartender and later started working in recording studios in Philadelphia and laterBostonand New York City, where he worked for Skyline Studios. In 1991 Wall left Skyline, and until 1994 worked as an independent music producer and sound engineer in New York City, working with musicians such asJohn Cale,David Byrne,andPatti Smith,as well as local bands. Over those three years, Wall consistently worked with Cale, eventually handling arrangement and orchestration of Cale's compositions as well as producing and working as a sound engineer. While working with Cale on the soundtrack to a movie,House of America,he watched as Cale composed thirty minutes of music in almost real time, and was inspired to begin composing music.[4]
Career
edit
By late 1995, Wall was living in Los Angeles and was married to singer Cindy Shapiro, who he had met in 1994.[4][5]She knew Ron Martinez, who was starting a video game company, PostLinear Entertainment, and he asked Wall to work for it as a composer.[4][6]He composed the soundtracks for several games for PostLinear; the first released wasVigilancein 1997.[4]His daughter Gracie was also born early in 1997.[7]After leaving the company, he composed the soundtrack to 2001'sMyst III: Exile,which was his first orchestral score and the work that he said put him on the map as a video game composer. It was also interesting to him, as it was a sequel to the first video game he had ever played,Myst.[4]Myst IIIwas nominated for theAcademy of Interactive Arts & Sciences"Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition"award, which it lost to theTropicosoundtrack.[8]
In 2002, Wall became one of around 20 co-founders of the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) as well as senior director.[9][10]The group works to promote the appreciation of video game music, as well as serve as a professional resource for video game music composers and musicians. It was developed and headed byTommy Tallarico.[10]As of 2010, Wall serves as vice chairman, after stepping down from heading the board of directors in 2007.[9][11]He continued to compose soundtracks for games such asThe Mark of KriandUnreal II: The Awakening.His work onMyst IV: Revelationin 2004 earned him his first three awards, those of "Best Live Performance Recording", "Best Original Vocal Song: Choral", and "Music of the Year" from the G.A.N.G. awards.[12]
Wall, along with Tommy Tallarico, has produced theVideo Games Liveconcert series, which began on July 6, 2005. The two had been planning the concert series, which presents orchestrated versions of music from dozens of games, for three years.[13]The concerts consist of segments of video game music performed by a live orchestra with video footage and synchronized lighting and effects, as well as several interactive segments with the audience, conducted by Wall.[14]Video Games Livewas intended to take the idea of a symphonic video game music concert, which was popular in Japan, and combine it with a rock concert to make it appealing to western fans.[15]The series is international and ongoing, with more than 70 shows planned for 2009.[16]Wall composed the soundtracks to three games released in 2005 including the award-winning score toJade Empire,and some of his works released since then have been 2007'sMass Effectand 2010'sMass Effect 2.Mass Effect's score earned Wall several awards and nominations,[17][18]as didMass Effect 2.[19][20]
Musical style and influences
edit
Although many of his works are orchestral, Jack Wall has worked in a wide variety of styles, including "heavy metal meets orchestral" and "tribal percussion".[21]ForJade Empire,he focused on using Chinese instruments andTaikodrums.[22]When writing a video game score, Wall prefers a collaborative approach with the game designers to creating the music, as he feels that the "tug back and forth of ideas" makes the music stronger. He notes, however, that he has to be flexible, and willing to create his own vision for the music. As part of this, he prefers to be able to see illustrations and game design documents before beginning, as they provide insight into the feel of the game so that his music can mesh in with it.[23]He also believes that a good video game music composer needs to have a lot of technical sound production skill to be successful.[21]Wall has said that theMystandMass Effectsoundtracks are his favorites that he has created. Wall stated that he was primarily interested in scoring games that are "interesting", and that his main concern was creating something original.[15]Although he has worked with live orchestras and synthetic orchestras, Wall recommends that game developers use a live one, despite the expense, as he feels they add a much more dynamic sound to the music and allow the composer more freedom than synthesizer samples.[24]He also wrote the book Legendary Bim Bang, the man who invented music. A picture book for ages 1 to 7[25]
Discography
editVideo games
editFilm and television
edit| Year | Title | Production company(s) | Distributor(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hard Target 2 | Universal 1440 Entertainment Living Films |
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment | — |
| 2017–2019 | Shadowhunters | Constantin Film | Disney–ABC Domestic Television (United States) Netflix (International) |
Composed with Trevor Morris |
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition[8] | Myst III: Exile | Nominated |
| 2004 | GameSpotBest of 2004 Awards | Best Original Music[29] | Myst IV: Revelation | Nominated |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Interactive Score[12] | Myst IV: Revelation | Nominated | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Original Vocal Song: Pop[12] | Myst IV: Revelation( "Welcome" ) | Nominated | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Live Performance Recording[12] | Myst IV: Revelation | Won | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Original Vocal Song: Choral[12] | Myst IV: Revelation( "Main Theme" ) | Won | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Music of the Year[12] | Myst IV: Revelation | Won | |
| 2005 | Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition[30] | Rise of the Kasai | Nominated |
| Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition[30] | Jade Empire | Nominated | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Live Performance Recording[31] | Jade Empire | Nominated | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Original Instrumental Song[31] | Jade Empire( "Main Theme" ) | Nominated | |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Original Soundtrack Album[31] | Jade Empire | Won | |
| 2007 | Game Audio Network Guild | Best Original Instrumental Song[17] | Mass Effect( "The Citadel" ) | Nominated |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Original Soundtrack Album[17] | Mass Effect | Nominated | |
| IGNBest of 2007 Awards | Best Original Score[18] | Mass Effect | Won | |
| GameSpot Best of 2007 Awards | Best Original Music[32] | Mass Effect | Won | |
| 2010 | British Academy of Film & Television Arts | Best Original Music[19] | Mass Effect 2 | Nominated |
| Game Audio Network Guild | Best Soundtrack Album[20] | Mass Effect 2 | Nominated |
References
edit- ^"Mass Effect 2 Takes 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards' Game of the Year".VegasNews – Las Vegas News.February 13, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on August 7, 2016.RetrievedMay 8,2012.
- ^Information obtained fromInteliusArchivedMarch 15, 2012, at theWayback Machine.
- ^"Get Your Game Music On".The Philadelphia Inquirer.June 22, 2006. pp. W22.RetrievedJanuary 25,2010.
- ^abcdefD., Spence (October 4, 2004)."Jack Wall Interview".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 12,2010.
- ^Shapiro, Cindy."Cindy Shapiro – The Artist's Website".cindyshapiro.net. Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
- ^"Vigilance (PC)".CNET Networks.Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
- ^Wall, Jack (January 2010)."Jack Wall – The Composer's Website – Blog – Someone is Turning 13".jackwall.net. Archived fromthe originalon January 28, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^ab"AIAS Annual Awards > 5th Annual Awards".Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.February 28, 2002.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2013.RetrievedNovember 18,2009.
- ^abWall, Jack."Jack Wall | The Composer's Website | About Jack".jackwall. Archived fromthe originalon April 24, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 13,2010.
- ^ab"Game Audio Network Guild – Our History".Game Audio Network Guild.Archivedfrom the original on February 25, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 13,2010.
- ^Dobson, Jason (February 5, 2007)."G.A.N.G. Names New President, Tallarico As CEO".Gamasutra.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 13,2010.
- ^abcdef"Game Audio Network Guild – 3rd Annual Gang Awards".Game Audio Network Guild. March 10, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on October 19, 2013.RetrievedDecember 17,2009.
- ^Eberson, Sharon (July 7, 2009)."PSO presents 'Video Games Live' to turn on new generation".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Archivedfrom the original on July 9, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 4,2009.
- ^Jean, Grace (July 2, 2007)."It's All in the Playing At NSO's 'Video Games Live'".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 4,2009.
- ^abWilson, Josh (June 30, 2008)."Interview – Tommy Tallarico & Jack Wall".Square Go.Archivedfrom the original on January 5, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^Graser, Marc (May 29, 2009)."Video Games Live's global success".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 4,2009.
- ^abc"Game Audio Network Guild – 6th Annual Gang Awards".Game Audio Network Guild. February 21, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on October 19, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^ab"IGN Best of 2007 – Best Original Score".IGN.2008. Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^ab"Video Games Awards Winners in 2011".British Academy of Film and Television Arts.Archived fromthe originalon July 1, 2011.RetrievedNovember 17,2011.
- ^abMarie, Megan (February 8, 2011)."9th Annual G.A.N.G. Nominees Announced".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2011.RetrievedNovember 17,2011.
- ^abMinnick, Doug (May 2003)."Jack Wall Composer/Producer Sr. Director Game Audio Network Guild".TAXI.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^D., Spence (April 18, 2005)."Jack Wall's Jade Empire".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon April 19, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^D., Spence (November 19, 2007)."Jack Wall Feels The Mass Effect".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon November 23, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^Wall, Jack (May 20, 2002)."Using a Live Orchestra in Game Soundtracks".Gamasutra.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^[1][dead link]
- ^"Behind The Scenes Of 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 3's' Orchestral Soundtrack".Forbes.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 4,2015.
- ^Treyarch&Raven Software(October 25, 2024).Call of Duty: Black Ops 6(PlayStation 5,Windows,Xbox Series X/S).Activision.Scene: Credits.
- ^Duwe, Scott (August 27, 2024)."Treyarch released Black Ops 6's multiplayer menu music—and it's a certified banger".Dot Esports.Gamurs.Archivedfrom the original on August 29, 2024.RetrievedAugust 29,2024.
- ^"Gamespot's Best of 2004 – Best Original Music".GameSpot.2005. Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^ab"AIAS Annual Awards > 9th Annual Awards".Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.February 9, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^abc"Game Audio Network Guild – 4th Annual Gang Awards".Game Audio Network Guild. March 23, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on July 19, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
- ^"Gamespot's Best of 2007 – Best Original Music".GameSpot.2008. Archived fromthe originalon June 19, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 18,2010.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Jack WallatLast.fm
- Jack Walldiscography atDiscogs
- Jack Walldiscography atMusicBrainz
- Jack WallatIMDb
- Jack WallatAllMusic