tag:thegffo.com,2005:/blogs/gffo-news?p=1GFFO News2024-02-03T21:05:50-08:00The Grand Feature Film Orchestrafalsetag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/73455252024-02-03T21:05:50-08:002024-03-13T23:59:38-07:00GFFO - Exciting 2024 Season!<p style="text-align:center;"> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/97a1fcf541ac063ac2db2f81ea5624af21d47be8/original/2024-film-logo2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p> </p><p>There's a lot to be excited about in 2024 as the talented artists of The GFFO hit the ground running with impressive offerings! From the early days of Thomas Edison's studio films to the magic of silent features of the 1920s to the fantastic animation and sci-fi of the 1940s and 50s, look for outstanding performances in our ever-expanding repertoire of epic cinema! Of course, we do it all with a LIVE orchestra!</p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-huge" style="color:#c4c4c4;"><strong>Coming soon:</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>Charlie Chaplin's THE KID</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>Tom Graeff's TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE </strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>Warner Brothers' A CORNY CONCERTO</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>Fleischer Brothers' SUPERMAN: The Magnetic Telescope</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>and more exciting work ahead!</strong></span></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/73437552024-01-31T20:47:50-08:002024-02-04T17:25:45-08:00THE GFFO to Perform a World Premiere LIVE Sci-fi Adventure<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/89405734d91656a0d0eb5a4318dc9601e7d91805/original/teenagers-from-outer-space-poster-crop.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>As avid GFFO fans know, we usually do at least one campy SCI-FI film yearly – just for fun! <o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big"><strong>We’re proud to announce the following:</strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p>From the movie orchestra who brought you Plan Nine from Outer Space and Little Shop of Horrors, The GRAND FEATURE FILM ORCHESTRA presents <span><strong>TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE!</strong> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/746b5dc6eb39ceaaa5ecbd7ed61050cb2121db6c/original/thor-raygun.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />Alien interplanetary teenage ranchers in flying saucers come to Earth to raise their man-eating monster lobster herd. That's right!! Gigantic lobsters threaten all of humanity! Thor (the evil alien) wreaks havoc, as Derick (the good alien) and his earthgirl, Betty, work to save the world from destruction by seafood.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span class="text-big"><strong>Will they succeed?</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Find out as we present TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE – LIVE orchestra with the movie on Sunday, May 26th at 2:00 pm at Journey Downtown Theater – 308 Main Street – Vacaville, CA. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/2f4797aac136a1736a5a2b6998e23fb22b079cbd/original/not-from-this-world.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">There is much to unpack in this fantastic adventure film directed by would-be low-budget movie-king Tom Graeff. To start with, how was it ever greenlit for production and distribution by none other than movie behemoth <strong>Warner Brothers – the owner of DC?</strong> Teenagers From Outer Space was created in 1959 with a paltry $14,000 budget. Their sci-fi movie props had toy ray guns, a painted toy flying saucer, and a plastic model human skeleton for extra hilarious excitement! </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The GFFO will use some of the best music on Earth to turn this film into an epic adventure you won't want to miss!<o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/85c478ef5adb1cc3c4e8f12a82ce2c05271a122f/original/plan-to-return.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Get ready to join us on May 26 as we give this little hidden gem the GFFO treatment with a live orchestra score using the music of Arnold Schoenberg, Edward Elgar, and George Gershwin!</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="/event-calendar" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Event Calendar"><span class="text-big"><strong>Tickets are available here!</strong></span></a></p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/14f3acf61a1fb81a0d794425c9393a9e3f833aad/original/title-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/73043582023-11-15T16:32:39-08:002024-01-31T20:30:58-08:00How the GFFO Prepares for the Movie Performance<p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/8ab772dfcd618d1204331fc4b3e476e9359710ee/original/gffo-sherlock-session.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:#c4c4c4;"><i><strong>Pictured – Grand Feature Film Orchestra members at a logistics session for Sherlock Junior</strong></i></span></p><p><strong>It takes from three to six months to prepare for a GFFO performance.</strong></p><p>One can't just go to the movie music store and buy music for these LIVE film concerts. They must be painstakingly procured, arranged, composed, restored – whatever's necessary to bring back the wonder originally intended for the movie-going audience. Sound effects must be realized and brought back using practical and digital means to enhance the story. Researching availability and licensing is key to putting the program together. </p><p>Members of the GFFO attend educational sessions, engineering logistics meetings, and rehearsals to not only play the music well, but to synchronize that music perfectly to the action on the screen. This includes on-the-spot improvisation, composition, and special orchestration. </p><p>Serious student musicians are welcomed to the GFFO to work beside professionals in order to learn the art and study the history of film music and sound effects from its early roots. Twenty-four two-hour educational sessions are necessary before the full orchestra rehearses together. At That point, it's a run-through to shake out any technical and logistical problems and then on to the performance!</p><p>The GFFO has a resident professional composer, an arranger, a conductor, a producer, a mechanical engineer, a business administrator, an accountant, a safety coordinator, professional musicians, as well as a host of others to make the GFFO movie magic possible! </p><p>The result of this labor of love can be seen at our upcoming movie concerts, such as the world premiere show: Sherlock Junior on November 19th! </p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><strong><u>Tickets are available now!</u></strong></span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong><time>Sun, Nov. 19</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time></span></p><p style="text-align:center;">Journey Downtown Theater<br>308 Main Street – Vacaville</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/73041632023-11-15T12:13:13-08:002023-11-15T17:32:59-08:00Interview with Evan Losoya<p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/f2d0173fedaec4969516f79e44e5cf1d2705cbce/original/img-6193.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span style="color:#c4c4c4;"><strong>Compose/performer, Evan Losoya at the piano</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong>Before our last orchestra rehearsal, I had a bit of time to ask a few questions to share with the orchestra and fans.</strong></span></p><p><strong>GFFO:</strong> What do you like about film composition?</p><p><strong>Evan Losoya:</strong> I think it's a refreshing opportunity to compose for film. When I am working on stand-alone compositions, I often seek inspiration from extramusical sources. With film music, I am guided by what happens on the screen. The musical content comes easier for me when I have something to look at or react to. I also like the challenge of timing each scene to the music -- sometimes, I have to come up with ways to extend the music by just a couple more bars to fit the duration of the scene.</p><p><strong>GFFO: </strong>Do you have any thoughts about Buster Keaton and his movies?</p><p><strong>Evan: </strong>After working on two of his movies, I can say that Keaton was extremely dedicated to pushing the limits of physical comedy. Even with his most death-defying stunts, he still managed to keep his famous 'stone face.' It's amazing how effortless he made it seem despite the fact that he broke his neck during the railroad water tank scene in Sherlock Jr.</p><p><strong>GFFO: </strong>Why is it important for events like the California Festival to support new and innovative composers?</p><p><strong>Evan: </strong>Composers rely on these kinds of opportunities for their music to be heard. There is a whole sea of composers who are active in the contemporary music scene today. We need this kind of support to help motivate us to keep going with our art. It is also important to note that trends in classical music change very quickly. Festivals bring to light musical innovation.</p><p><strong>GFFO:</strong> Do you have any thoughts about the GFFO and the Nov 19th, 2:00 pm performance at Journey Downtown Theater - Vacaville?</p><p><strong>Evan: </strong>Having attended past GFFO performances, I know it's going to be a fun show. The members have tackled some seriously difficult music in the past so I'm certain they will do great on Sunday. With that said, I'm very much looking forward to coming back to Vacaville for this performance.</p><p><strong>Evan, We're proud to be able to present this amazing score with the movie for the first time!</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><strong><u>Tickets are available now!</u></strong></span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong><time>Sun, Nov. 19</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time></span></p><p style="text-align:center;">Journey Downtown Theater<br>308 Main Street – Vacaville</p><p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72990812023-11-05T13:56:47-08:002023-11-15T10:22:21-08:00Sherlock Junior Trivia<p><span class="text-huge"><strong>Did you know?</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/62a6e113e0010595b1f86ec537a6a0f8bd408c9a/original/snapshot-4.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span class="text-big" style="color:#c4c4c4;"><strong>--An expert at pool trick shots--</strong></span><br> <strong>Buster Keaton</strong> did all of his Billiards trick shots in the movie. It took four months of practice and five days of film shooting to get it right.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/873c3c44e11e2b0a821fa6e9b93cffd28ef08353/original/snapshot-5.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#c4c4c4;"><strong>--Anything for a cool stunt--</strong></span><br><strong>Buster Keaton</strong> fractured his neck during the infamous water tank scene, but he kept working through the shoots until the end of the production. It wasn’t until years later that doctors discovered his injury.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/0dbafee9823fae1c6015b41a34746bb1cb361e28/original/adobestock-277145984.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big" style="color:#c4c4c4;"><strong>--Maybe Buster was “The One”--</strong></span><br><strong>Buster Keaton</strong> did the same pivotal stunt in <strong>Sherlock Junior</strong> without the aid of computer effects that <strong>Keanu Reeves</strong> did in the 1999 big-budget action movie <strong>The Matrix</strong>. Wait for the movie performance and see if you can figure out which stunt it is!<o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72951822023-10-28T16:43:11-07:002023-10-28T17:06:00-07:00Our cartoon featurette is also world premiere!<p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/27f714238450835008b7d2f8511fad4d0dde57ce/original/snapshot.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br><span class="text-huge"><strong>We Have an Amazing Featurette to be Performed Before the Feature</strong></span></p><p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/b7a5a968a1ed5c1033a52179e30953e54d71b90e/original/snapshot-5.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />It's tricky to do cartoon music – especially from the mid-20th century! Animated shorts such as <strong>LooneyTunes</strong> and <strong>Merrie Melodies</strong> connected sight and sound with stunning precision. With cartoon action and comedy, requiring huge mood swings lasting only seconds at a time, live presentations require huge concentration and trust between the musicians and the conductor.</p><p>After almost a year of preparation, The <strong>GFFO</strong> presents <strong>Tale of Two Kitties</strong> in the same style as its 1942 roots. Popular tunes known during those years were combined with classical music and original compositions to completely recreate the music that emphasized the exciting, crazy antics of the characters on the big screen!</p><p><span class="text-big"><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/0e540ff840e93a400585463fb203a64e53cf90ec/original/i-like-birds.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />A little about Tale of Two Kitties --</strong></span></p><p>Released in 1942, Tale of Two Kitties is about two unlucky cats (one smart – one not so much) who set out to make a meal of a poor, defenseless little bird known as Tweety. Little did they know, they were no match for the clever fowl. This is the first cartoon appearance of the famous Tweety Bird, who later became the arch-nemesis of Sylvester the Cat.</p><hr><p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/51bb7de85239dc87d8138fbe6b55b65ee9a6b95a/original/abbott-and-costello-circa-1940s.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big"><strong>The Abbot and Costello influence --</strong></span></p><p>In this cartoon, the Two Cats, Babbot and Catstello, were designed to represent the legendary comedy duo at the time, <strong>Abbot and Costello</strong> – known for their straight man/funny man stand-up routines - most notably, “Who's On First?” </p><p>Whether it was money, or availability, Bud Abbot and Lou Costello were not used in the cartoo<img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/edd8d83fe335129af0c33c3261dc5163613ca8d8/original/tale-of-two-kitties-model-sheet.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />n – opting for voice impersonations of the well-known team. Mell Blanc voiced Catstello (and Tweety) – Tedd Pierce took on the voice role of Babbot. It was clear, considering the character resemblance of the names, sounds, and appearances, what they were trying to convey in this hilarious animated short. Even the instructions for the animators use an actual pic of Abbot and Costello for reference.</p><p>Bud and Lou had big careers in radio, movies, and television from 1940 until 1965. </p><p> </p><hr><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-huge"><strong>A Tale of Two Kitties will be performed along with Sherlock Junior!</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><strong><u>Tickets are available now!</u></strong></span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong><time>Sun, Nov. 19</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time></span></p><p style="text-align:center;">Journey Downtown Theater<br>308 Main Street – Vacaville</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72943132023-10-27T00:05:44-07:002023-10-28T15:55:42-07:00What to Know Before Watching a Silent Movie<p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/2043cbac06238a2bebc0ae873fc124836f88eb42/original/adobestock-628021412.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Silent movies are amazing! They’re surprisingly timeless and exciting, but there are a couple of things to know before you attend a silent film performance - especially for the first time. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span><strong>Silent films are the ultimate multimedia experience!</strong></span><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Silent films are not silent at all! A live orchestra will be right below the movie screen, providing music and sound effects synchronized to the film! <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Think about it – a LIVE musical concert with big-screen visuals and sound effects. Today, it’s called “multimedia,” but that’s how movies were originally meant to be shown!</p><p> </p><p><span><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/0343c48a1f9cc6f12cb16ba569c226bd3a7d3df2/original/snapshot-2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Silent films are much like movies today, except the actors text each other. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">You won’t miss the spoken dialogue. Title-card texts are sometimes displayed on the screen, so you’ll know what the characters are saying, but these talented filmmakers took pride in using as few title cards as possible. Instead, they used clever ways to convey the message with just faces, actions, music, and sound effects. The stories are easy to follow and loads of fun!<br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/a7bc4f731e59e524b93e0fa448a7b976048f53f7/original/wings.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Silent film “special effects” look so real because often they </strong></span><i><span><strong>were</strong></span></i><span><strong> real! <o:p></o:p></strong></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">New fans of silent movies are shocked by how realistic the action scenes look. That’s because they weren’t always faking it. Today, a train crash would be depicted by a miniature model or CGI. But, in the silent era, in some cases, they would crash an actual train! Actors would climb the outside of skyscrapers, handle volatile explosives, or pilot actual aircraft -- all in the name of cinema entertainment. You can’t get more real than real! You can’t get more real than real!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/fce64519e30e6b323e7d83776a7a376c65c6c046/original/safety-last-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />It was the “Wild West” of filmmaking in the early days. They had no computers – no green screens – just a camera and a lot of brave spirit. Some action scenes required extremely dangerous stunts – often at great peril to the actors involved. But that was the movie business back then. It wasn’t for the faint of heart.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Their work often paid off with timeless classics that audiences can enjoy for centuries to come.</p><p> </p><hr><p><br><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/68163bd9f40bb8705a7ba26034055bd3c95bbe0a/original/adobestock-272765106.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Did you know…<o:p></o:p></strong></span></p><p>In the early days, movies were called “<strong>photoplays</strong>” or “<strong>motion pictures,</strong>” and the actors were sometimes called “<strong>movies</strong>.” That’s right – If you were an actor in a Hollywood film and someone asked you what you did for a living, you could say, “<strong>I’m a movie</strong>!”<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72797142023-09-27T20:39:32-07:002023-10-16T08:01:41-07:00The Music of Evan Losoya To be featured by the GFFO at the California Festival.<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/549815a467c4d1c6c90964f621b97a4884e39044/original/img-2207.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The GFFO is proud to present the world-premiere musical score by our resident composer and GAC chairman, Evan Losoya. This will be his fourth feature film project with our ensemble.</p><p>Evan commented on the upcoming movie score, “I'm excited about scoring another Buster Keaton film. His physical comedy never ceases to amaze me. This kind of comedy poses a challenge to me as the composer as I hope to capture all of his stunts in the musical score. In the end, seeing and hearing the finished product is very rewarding!”</p><p>Evan has served as the chairman of the Grand Arts Consortium since 2021, where he has composed and transcribed several film scores for the Grand Feature Film Orchestra (GFFO). Most recently, the GFFO performed his score for the 1928 silent comedy Steamboat Bill, Jr. starring Buster Keaton. </p><p>Evan received a BA in Music Composition from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts. He's currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.<br><br>For more information about Evan Losoya, visit his website:</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://evanlosoya.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge">https://evanlosoya.com</span></a></p><h2 style="text-align:center;"><strong>The GFFO LIVE - Buster Keaton's Sherlock Junior (1924) - LIVE Orchestra with the Movie</strong></h2><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong><time>Sun, Nov 19</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time> — 4:00 PM (PST)</span></p><p style="text-align:center;">Journey Downtown Theater, 308 Main Street, Vacaville, CA.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>Tickets for the performance are available now!</strong></span></a></p><p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72796712023-09-27T18:14:05-07:002023-09-27T18:16:03-07:00A Comedy Classic gets a Brand New Score<p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="/home" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Home"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/f2a0e79cc2a6fc4dae87dbda1916aa54d9a64ad6/original/sherlock-jr-poster-reduced.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><span class="text-big"><strong>Exciting World premiere for the Grand Feature Film Orchestra</strong></span><br>Buster Keaton is one of the silent era's greatest filmmakers and physical comedians. In this legendary feature, Keaton attempts to win the heart of his true love by solving crimes like the great Sherlock Holmes with unexpected consequences. </p><p><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong>“Self-referentiality, impeccable stunts and eye-popping cinematography: Keaton's grace and visual wit are unmatched even today.”</strong></span><br><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong> </strong><i><strong> - Sunday Times (UK)</strong></i></span></p><p><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong>“Like all Keaton comedies Sherlock, Jr., is constructed with amazing ingenuity.”</strong></span><br><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong> </strong><i><strong> - Life Magazine</strong></i></span></p><p><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong>"A master of movement and stillness, Keaton developed a comedy style that was as intellectual as it was physical…"</strong></span><br><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong> </strong><i><strong> - Los Angeles Times</strong></i></span></p><p>The GFFO Is excited to bring movie music fans this hilarious comedy feature with some of the cleverest stunts ever set to film. We're doubly excited to pair the classic film with a brand new epic musical score by our composer-in-residence, Evan Losoya!</p><p><i><strong>Also included will be a short featurette and overture before the feature – more on that later!</strong></i></p><p>It's all part of the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.cafestival.org/explore/the-grand-feature-film-orchestra/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><strong>California Festival: A Celebration of Music 2023</strong></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><strong>Tickets are available now!</strong></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72781362023-09-24T19:22:03-07:002023-09-27T17:03:53-07:00The GFFO is part of the California Festival in 2023!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/32101e08672e1ca3910e3040f70bf35cbba5e7fb/original/cafest-announce-social-v21920x1080.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra (GFFO) is proud to be part of the California Festival: A Celebration of New Music for November 2023!</p><p><i><strong>“The California Festival is a statewide music initiative showcasing the most compelling and forward-looking voices in performances of works written in the past five years.” </strong> –- CA Festival</i></p><p>Spearheaded by California's premiere orchestras – San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Sandiego Symphony – this ambitious undertaking represents 110 performing ensembles throughout the state. 95 composers representing 117 modern works will be performed.</p><p><span class="text-huge">As part of the California Festival, The GFFO will perform Sherlock Junior, newly composed by our chairman and resident composer, Evan Losoya – </span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>Sunday, November 19th, 2023</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>Journey Downtown Theater – 308 Main Street - Vacaville </strong></span><br> </p><p><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0,0%,30%);"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/0f417a593cdb9f9894ab46613bf86a402a0e14c8/original/cafest-mds-paris-1080x1080-l2210917.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />This is the enthusiastic joint statement from the founding directors:</strong></span></p><p><i><span>“California holds a unique place in music and culture, not just in the United States but in the wider world as well. It brings out the unexpected and illuminates the unseen, moving even the most reserved among us. </span></i><br><i><span> </span></i><br><i><span>For more than a century, California has been a home for musical experimentation. It is where countless composers came, fleeing war and intolerance, and found stability and freedom of expression that allowed them to transcend the strict artistic boundaries they had constructed for themselves. It is where a film industry founded by outcasts and refugees became a global cultural center, creating a constant demand for ever-more-creative musical compositions that have evolved into a genre in its own right. And it is where American composers are transforming the way music is composed, performed and heard. Today, California—a state with the economic power of a country, the ecological diversity of a continent, and the cultural diversity of the planet—represents a powerful vision for classical music. </span></i></p><p><i><span>Our three orchestras, in partnership with other arts organizations from throughout this state, have come together to celebrate the sheer magnitude of California’s contributions to classical music and to dream of new ways that we can work together to express our deep appreciation for the environment, communities and technological innovation that make this state so deeply unique.” </span></i></p><p><i><span> — Gustavo Dudamel, conductor - Los Angeles Symphony</span></i><br><i><span> — </span></i><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><i>Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor - San Francisco Symphony</i></span><br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><i> — Rafael Payare, conductor - San Diego Symphony</i></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><i><span><strong>GFFO Tickets are available NOW!</strong></span></i></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72566582023-08-14T00:57:02-07:002023-08-14T00:58:43-07:00Watching Silent Films LIVE in a Real Movie Theater is Always BEST!<p><span style="color:rgb(153,153,153);"><i><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/88801a70d1222d3f721956460d0c98c54aa0107f/original/image.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></i></span></p><p style="text-align:center;">There is romance, comedy, excitement, and a LIVE orchestra. Who could ask for more?<br>Now in<i><strong> “Immersion Experience!” </strong></i><br><br><strong>Watching silent films live in a real movie theater is always BEST!</strong><br>Silent films encourage the audience to be part of the experience! Applause and whistling on cue, and screams at the right place make the movie fun and personal. Door prizes and fun trivia, along with great food and drinks from Journey Coffee's on-site cafe in the lobby, make it an experience to remember!</p><p style="text-align:center;">As a fellow movie fan, you already know how much fun These performances are. But I'll bet you know colleagues, friends, and family members who may have never seen a LIVE silent film performance. Invite them to join us! It's amazing how fun it is to be a part of the action. <br><br><strong>Tickets are available now!!</strong><br><strong>adults - $30</strong><br><strong>veterans - $20 </strong>(use code “thankyouvets”)<br><strong>Kids, teachers, college students - free </strong><br>(Kids, teachers, and college students do not need a ticket for admission.)</p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://u648841.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=eiPe5vYnBxp8bMtABf9jy-2B04rFd4wU1p9isp34ZsugGgtmtL1dQHDlVbyP-2FlDhARsGT-2BE8sN71VSW9Af3WIAeyRmUgBDd9PyvUTOdZtMwG2K7I9eAA3RxXLE7uKHoH2d5f9pESQ5s8nrQeKkg1d7cO72vWihHTo7xVIhIkOjtjE-3DJoOk_BHgC29MMyB5gbLeWW2lJ8hoXVhluFM-2B6ftQ11-2Bf-2B2-2FSvPq-2FZ1uiMsPx6d1XrFVYaibLTvYilwoZCz5fAL8GRa-2BqwOF0kaAyaqrOEGuIH6wJEe0E6F651oxUk59lcsFvyHGLpylLqlp5QRTvKbFd6MrVCIMYqfdtmjmO3FJFdVRkAUnLKeuSkgHaJVYjNO3mHavqZUVWBkqINwFdm5qsBe5lFQwenYVh7DMPSl0mmfamNZ9IjmYfoNCxQFT0Df3SjYX4XdD7cPxiaTmNM2jCdID2p2di9k-2BKiWWvUKkomoiosqPiuLzuK7MpeqontCF6J51k5Mn-2FB1jGiA7Zx7EIrWg-3D-3D" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://u648841.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn%3DeiPe5vYnBxp8bMtABf9jy-2B04rFd4wU1p9isp34ZsugGgtmtL1dQHDlVbyP-2FlDhARsGT-2BE8sN71VSW9Af3WIAeyRmUgBDd9PyvUTOdZtMwG2K7I9eAA3RxXLE7uKHoH2d5f9pESQ5s8nrQeKkg1d7cO72vWihHTo7xVIhIkOjtjE-3DJoOk_BHgC29MMyB5gbLeWW2lJ8hoXVhluFM-2B6ftQ11-2Bf-2B2-2FSvPq-2FZ1uiMsPx6d1XrFVYaibLTvYilwoZCz5fAL8GRa-2BqwOF0kaAyaqrOEGuIH6wJEe0E6F651oxUk59lcsFvyHGLpylLqlp5QRTvKbFd6MrVCIMYqfdtmjmO3FJFdVRkAUnLKeuSkgHaJVYjNO3mHavqZUVWBkqINwFdm5qsBe5lFQwenYVh7DMPSl0mmfamNZ9IjmYfoNCxQFT0Df3SjYX4XdD7cPxiaTmNM2jCdID2p2di9k-2BKiWWvUKkomoiosqPiuLzuK7MpeqontCF6J51k5Mn-2FB1jGiA7Zx7EIrWg-3D-3D&source=gmail&ust=1692086052381000&usg=AOvVaw1KFyxvzXCa1YDpWi5-n0Nc"><strong><u>GFFO LIVE – THE LOST WORLD</u></strong></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong><time>Sun, Aug 20</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Journey Downtown Theater </strong><br><strong>308 Main Street – Vacaville</strong></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72565962023-08-13T18:59:42-07:002023-08-13T18:59:43-07:00SPECIAL VIP TABLES our LOST WORLD concert! It's our way to thank you for your generous donation!<p><span class="text-big"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/5b86ce6d860003e550d9cd09b02c91b837adbef3/original/adobestock-306598893.jpeg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><u>THE GFFO LIVE MOVIE: LOST WORLD</u></strong></span><br><span class="text-huge" style="color:#ea4242;"><strong>VIP TABLE</strong></span><span class="text-huge"><strong> - “HELP US with our bills” fundraiser</strong></span><span class="text-big"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">You can help offset the cost of the theater staff and rental fees, and more. For a donation of $250 or higher, you can reserve a free VIP table seating for up to 5 guests for our epic LOST WORLD concert! </span></p><p> </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.flipcause.com/hosted_widget/hostedWidgetHome/MTc0Mzc1" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><strong>Reserve your table for THE LOST WORLD HERE!</strong></span></a></p><p> </p><hr><p><br><span class="text-huge" style="color:hsl(30, 75%, 60%);"><strong>DID YOU KNOW?</strong></span><br>– The GFFO provides services to all students seeking to learn how to play or hone their skills in music and engineering <span class="text-big"><strong>FREE of charge</strong></span>. <span>Students get to work side-by-side with engineering, music, and entertainment professionals. Then they perform with professionals in the Grand Feature Film Orchestra’s performances.</span><br><o:p></o:p><br>– Covering licenses, rental, guest artists, rehearsals, and study & technical sessions can cost the GFFO as much as <span class="text-big"><strong>$20,000.00</strong></span> per performance. </p><p>Your ticket purchases and personal donations help offset the cost of our mission. </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.flipcause.com/hosted_widget/hostedWidgetHome/MTQ5ODI5" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge" style="color:hsl(120, 75%, 60%);"><i><strong>Donate Here</strong></i></span></a></p><p><o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72494522023-07-30T01:03:15-07:002023-07-31T15:16:54-07:00Music from some of the greatest composers contributed to this score<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/6798dca118dcd2502d5977c1f765fe1c9d20562c/original/adobestock-231777277.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Since the original score for The Lost World doesn't exist, The GFFO used some of the best of 19<sup>th</sup> and 20th-century classical music to be featured, including <strong>New World Symphony</strong>, <strong>Firebird</strong>, <strong>Sorcerer's Apprentice</strong>, and <strong>The Rite of Spring </strong>weaved into the story at just the right times! This is some of the most challenging and groundbreaking music – perfect for the film. But we needed more to complete this epic action film! The GFFO composed more than 50% of the cues specifically for this world-premiere performance!<o:p></o:p></p><p>The world premiere of The Lost World, with its unique LIVE score, and real-time sound effects, includes fun and scary prehistoric creatures that seem to be alive! Imagine how it must have felt in 1925 when this stunner of a film hit the theaters. Nobody had ever seen such a spectacle. Now for the first time in almost 100 years, this blockbuster film comes to life again with a wholly reimagined live orchestra score, special sound effects, an Immersion Experience process, and more! Who knows? You might just leave the theater believing that dinosaurs still exist!<o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span class="text-huge" style="color:red;"><strong>DID YOU KNOW?</strong></span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/6b481b0a900f34eed7c1b40ade160bec0f3642b1/original/snapshot.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><span style="color:#202122;"> After THE LOST WORLD special effects footage was previewed by the press in 1925, the New York Times published a front-page article suggesting special effects guru, Willis OBrien may have filmed real living dinosaurs for his movie, stating <i>--</i></span><br><br><span style="color:#7F7F7F;"><i><strong>"(O'Brien's) monsters of the ancient world, or of the new world which he has discovered in the ether, were extraordinarily lifelike. If fakes, they were masterpieces."</strong></i> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The silent era classic includes state-of-the-art stop-action special visual effects, bringing the prehistoric creature to exquisite realism. They seem to eat, breathe, and fight for survival. Even the audience gets involved in the story! (no time machine necessary)! It's sure to be a lot of fun!<o:p></o:p></p><p>Both LIVE Theater and Online Streaming tickets are available!</p><p><span class="text-huge">Tickets are available now!!</span></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><u>GFFO LIVE – THE LOST WORLD</u></span></a></p><p><span><strong><time>Sun, Aug 20</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time></span></p><p>Journey Downtown Theater <br>308 Main Street – Vacaville<o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72494512023-07-30T00:19:29-07:002023-07-30T00:40:37-07:00Be in the movie with IMMERSION EXPERIENCE<p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/7d74cebdda8e46d9793e9601cc58be1fcd43b091/original/adobestock-571537465.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);"><i><strong>Experiencing a movie performance like this is a rare event, indeed!</strong></i></span></p><p>It's always amazing what magic movies can create. In the beginning, the Lumiere Brothers projected flickering motion across a screen to the delight of audiences. The press for innovative ideas to immerse the audience in the story never stopped. Today modern theaters have large-screen 3D visuals and multi-channel surround sound designed to thrill. But, few are ever fortunate enough to get the highest quality experience of a GFFO movie concert. Sure, The latest Barbie Movie has colorful sets, and Oppenheimer looks and sounds great in IMax, but very few theaters have a live orchestra and sound effects team right there, providing tension and suspense. </p><p><span class="text-huge">NOW we have </span><span class="text-huge" style="color:hsl(270, 75%, 60%);"><strong>IMMERSION EXPERIENCE</strong></span><span class="text-huge"> – where the audience becomes part of the movie. </span></p><p><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);"><strong>Don't be surprised if the adventure moves beyond the screen and into the theater. It's NOT 3D – it's </strong></span><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(270, 75%, 60%);"><strong>IMMERSION EXPERIENCE</strong></span><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);"><strong>! It's a secret process that will only be revealed at the performance. NO SPOILERS!</strong></span><br><br><span class="text-huge">Tickets are available now!!</span></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge">GFFO LIVE – THE LOST WORLD</span></a></p><p><span><strong><time>Sun, Aug 20</time></strong><time> @ 2:00 PM</time></span></p><p>Journey Downtown Theater <br>308 Main Street – Vacaville</p><p><o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72354732023-06-30T21:20:36-07:002023-07-01T11:01:27-07:00THE LOST WORLD - A Legendary Film Comes to Life!<p style="text-align:center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/4dc87127874ccb513513bbd0ae1dc6867d896b18/original/the-lost-world-1925-film-poster.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br><span class="text-huge" style="color:hsl(0,75%,60%);"><i>A beloved classic gets a new premiere with a live orchestra!</i></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Professor Challenger believes dinosaurs still exist in the dark reaches of South America. When his colleagues and students mock him, he proposes that a team be assembled to travel to the Amazon rainforest to see for themselves. Challenger, along with a small group – including scientists, and a reporter, set sail for the forbidden territory, not knowing the adventure that awaits! <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/6b481b0a900f34eed7c1b40ade160bec0f3642b1/original/snapshot.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />So begins the story in this 1925 silent action film on the cutting edge of groundbreaking special effects by the Oscar-winning master action guru Willis O’Brien, who later created classics like KING KONG. Using brilliant stop-action photography, stunning practical sets, and camera work, O’Brien achieved a feat in special effects technology that later inspired such movies as JURASSIC PARK. It was said that during the 1925 premiere, many members of the audience left the theater believing that the dinosaurs were, in fact, real! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/7ff931b50ea337edc63503dfb16e784648ae4238/original/img-20230630-215350056.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />A movie such as this deserves special music and sound design. Enter THE GRAND FEATURE FILM ORCHESTRA! In what could be described as their biggest project to date, the orchestra will compose new music sequences and orchestrate works from the great classics, such as THE RITE OF SPRING, THE SOURCERER’S APRENTICE, FIREBIRD, and THE NEW WORLD SYMPHONY -- perfectly timed to the massive cinematic action. Meanwhile, our talented sound design engineers are developing LIVE sound effects machinery using experimental microphonic electro-acoustics to recreate the needed menacing atmosphere for the terrors of the Mesozoic Era. <br><br><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><i><strong><<< Pictured -- One of GFFO's LIVE Microphonic electro-acoustic soundboxes used to create epic sound effects</strong></i></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0,75%,60%);"><strong>Critics agree! This is a movie to see</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span class="text-small" style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><i><strong>“As soon as the thrilling sequences are reached, where the explorers are seen in the supposed habitat of the living dinosauri, brontosauri, allosauri, and other prehistoric monsters, there is no end of excitement.”</strong></i></span><br><span class="text-small" style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><i><span><strong> </strong></span><strong>--Gordaunt Hall, New York Times (1925)</strong></i></span><br><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>DETAILS:</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>GFFO Presents THE LOST WORLD</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>Sunday, August 20<sup>th</sup>, 2023 --- 2:00 pm.</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>Journey Downtown Theater – 308 Main Street – Vacaville, CA</strong></span><o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72138442023-05-22T22:51:23-07:002023-05-22T22:51:52-07:00GFFO Is proud to announce our Summer sound effects engineering project!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/6400695bd9ba1259cdf2d7677bda0dd9c9f7274f/original/ms-hs-effects-engneering.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>Creating effects that match the films we score is what we're all about. And nothing is more fun than seeing the results as we design, build, and perform machines that make our films exciting. </p><p>Our GFFO effects student engineers get to work with professionals to create effects for movie steam trains using real steam engines and more. So if you or someone you know is interested in steam and mechanical engineering and practical sound effects techniques, this program is for you!</p><p>Sound effects will be presented live along with the Grand Feature Film Orchestra along with the movie.</p><p>Interested engineering students – middle and high school level can join. </p><p>Fill out our easy online application <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/join-our-orchestra-information-and-application" data-link-type="url">HERE</a>.</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72136712023-05-22T21:53:52-07:002023-05-22T22:11:42-07:00Summer 2023 adventure begins!<p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="/join-our-orchestra-information-and-application" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Join our Orchestra - information and application"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/3698a7ceb7675c2b76de8756df6b48e79d2a13f1/original/working-flyer.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br><span class="text-big"><strong>It's that time of year! </strong></span></p><p>The GFFO is proud to present our Summer Orchestra Program. It's a chance for talented and creative students and community members of all levels to join our orchestra for an amazing adventure. We'll be creating and performing a brand-new film score for a feature-length action movie. We'll also be creating one-of-a-kind sound effects machines, and score a comedy cartoon. </p><p style="text-align:center;">We accept musicians of all levels beginning to advanced.</p><p style="text-align:center;">The program is available to</p><p style="text-align:center;">– Students 6th to 12th grade</p><p style="text-align:center;">– College students </p><p style="text-align:center;">– Adult community members</p><p style="text-align:center;">And as usual, all programs are<span class="text-big"><strong> FREE</strong></span> </p><p style="text-align:center;">Fill out our easy online application <a class="no-pjax" href="/join-our-orchestra-information-and-application" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Join our Orchestra - information and application"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72048392023-05-08T02:44:03-07:002023-05-22T22:11:42-07:00Thank You for a Fantastic Concert this month!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/47a748a144772d04a39fc29fc0951d54e1cc7161/original/snapshot.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;">We were honored to bring you the concert LIVE both the feature film and our “impossible” adventure into crazy quick cartoon music. The orchestra had a lot of fun. But this is only the beginning as we face the awesome power of Dinosaurs in our next adventure film, THE LOST WORLD, on August 20th. It will feature music from Stravinsky, the composer that changed music forever!<br><span class="text-big"><i><strong>STAY TUNED</strong></i></span></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/72019012023-05-02T19:35:54-07:002023-05-02T19:35:55-07:00MUSIC and Sound Effects LIVE to Film LIVE in Front of the Audience<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/66eba5901571ee61f290d5ec0981bf5a7dbf3cfa/original/audience-engaged.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Music and sound effects are essential to reinforce the story of the movie. Back in the early 20<sup>th</sup> century, films had no prepackaged studio sound. Each theater had its own music director, sound effects team, and orchestra. Everything had to be done just right. If the music were off, even by a fraction of a second, you’d hear romantic tones when the villain suddenly shows up and menacing sounds when a love scene is on the screen. Imagine an action film without rousing and suspenseful music. Imagine an exploding death star in Star Wars without the epic explosion sound effects! Of course, we all know there is no sound in the vacuum of outer space. But, the sound must still be there for our minds to get the full fantasy adventure experience! <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Live-action comedies and funny cartoons are even harder to perform live. Often comedy music is required to be so perfectly synchronized that footsteps, falls, splats, or even a glance from an actor is reflected instantly in the music. This perfect timing to the action is called “mousing” – named after the Disney character, Mickey Mouse.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Meet the GFFO</strong><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The GFFO is a group of community, student, and professional artists and engineers dedicated to restoring historical, legendary movies and presenting them in the traditional lost art of live orchestra and sound effects accompaniment. Each performance is entirely unique – Every performance is a “world premiere!”<o:p></o:p></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71943072023-04-20T22:18:54-07:002023-04-27T14:09:50-07:00Our GAC Chairman performs his CalArts MFA Graduation Recital Saturday April 22nd 5 pm -- streamed online<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Details:</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>Evan Losoya – MFA GRADUATION RECITAL </i> <br><i>Deconstructed and Repurposed </i> <br><i>AVAILABLE NOW ONLINE ON DEMAND</i><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/f902e3fc59030c89ae530b1543d5adaf3c987943/original/11512.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Get ready for something VERY different in this online performance! Aside from his own works, Evan will be performing music from 20th-century avant-Garde (experimental) composers. As the name suggests, the music will be what was then considered “ahead of its time.” The sounds you'll hear are unusual – even by today's standards, but their early works have hugely influenced the 21st century, especially in electronic and cinematic music. </p><p>Evan Losoya has many surprises! Not only is Evan a talented movie score composer – he's an accomplished pianist and oboist. Earning his bachelor's degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he's currently finishing up his MFA at The California Institute of the Arts. In the fall, he is heading to John Hopkins University to pursue a Ph.D. in musical composition. </p><p>Mr. Losoya continues to chair the Grand Arts Consortium, where he's held the post since 2021. He's composed multiple scores for the GFFO -- including the upcoming silent comedy classic, Steamboat Bill Junior!</p><p>You can catch his recital HERE live on YouTube.</p><p> </p><center><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_z5n9d9gER0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p></center><p> </p><p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71829852023-04-02T20:45:08-07:002023-04-02T20:54:40-07:00GFFO to perform the premiere of SUPERMAN: BULLETEERS <p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/4020606da2df4b3dfa8802abb142d4f1ca1476ac/original/bulleteers4.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></span></a><span class="text-big"><strong>Superman: Bulleteers (1942)</strong></span></p><p><i><strong>The GFFO continues its quest to restore and perform all nine episodes of the famed Fleischer Brothers animated SUPERMAN series with episode #5 – BULLETEERS (1942). </strong></i></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/2929f76fe8cf7e784d73dc54c1b3a520da20d8d4/original/bulleteers1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>A band of criminals threatens to destroy the city with their unstoppable bullet rocketship. This looks like a job for SUPERMAN!<br><br>In 1942, this job was for the famous Fleischer Brothers Studios, an animation company famous for the characters BETTY BOOP, POPEYE, and many other cutting-edge early cartoons. The brothers set out to make the technicolor masterpieces after landing the most expensive contract for animated shorts up to that time. Paramount Studios awarded $5.4 million (2023 dollars) for nine 1-reel (approximately 8 minutes) cartoon episodes. There were a total of 17 episodes, but the brothers left the project after the 9<sup>th</sup> installment. What they created is heralded as some of the most innovative high-quality animation set to film. These hand-drawn marvels have been restored to their rich visuals and presented in 4K for the performance.<a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/home" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/e66a09d91cc42bb23bdc0c8abfe0a424202f1b6b/original/bulleteers2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a></p><p><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);"><strong>The GFFO - LIVE music with the movie - Keaton's STEAMBOAT BILL JR. </strong></span></p><p><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);"><strong>plus </strong></span></p><p><span class="text-huge" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);"><strong>SUPERMAN - BULLETEERS 1942</strong></span></p><p>Sun, May 7 @ 2:00 PM- – <span> </span>Journey Downtown, 308 Main Street, Vacaville, CA.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(230,77,77);"><strong><u>Tickets available here</u></strong></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71829062023-04-02T16:57:37-07:002023-04-02T17:07:23-07:00GFFO to Present a Buster Keaton Comedy Classic<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/1cfae90133af677b758a00bced06b42ae91f5178/original/steamboat-bill-jr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><strong>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra proudly presents Buster Keaton’s silent film classic STEAMBOAT BILL JUNIOR (1928) in a 4K big-screen restoration premiere with a LIVE musical score COMPOSED by Evan Losoya!</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/b6d42f725147b39e9211122acedd5d3cc7030854/original/steamboat3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Keaton plays William Canfield Jr., a young college student who meets his father, whom he hasn’t seen in many years. Bill Sr., a hardened riverboat captain, is not too thrilled to see his cityfied son, not realizing that he may be needed to save his steamboat from the clutches of his rich and powerful evil nemesis. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Known for his death-defying stunts and deadpan comic presence, Buster Keaton will seemingly defy the laws of physics throughout this adventure. The famous fight against a strong wind and life-threatening scenes involving collapsed buildings will surely amaze audiences, young and old!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/b50b1cc74b0f9617e7a8e75aaa6a10cafc6dbd02/original/steamboat2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>The score will be performed by <strong>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra</strong> and composed by the GAC chairman and resident composer, Evan Losoya.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tickets are available for the live in-person show at the amazing Journey Downtown Theater, or if you can’t make it in person, you can also purchase a live-streaming ticket. </p><p><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(30, 75%, 60%);"><strong>The GFFO - LIVE music with the movie</strong></span><br><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);"><strong>Keaton's STEAMBOAT BILL JUNIOR</strong></span><br><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);"><strong>plus </strong></span><br><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);"><strong>SUPERMAN - BULLETEERS 1942</strong></span></p><p>Sun, May 7 @ 2:00 PM- – <span> </span>Journey Downtown, 308 Main Street, Vacaville, CA.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0,75%,60%);"><strong><u>Tickets available here</u></strong></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71563702023-02-18T00:41:52-08:002023-02-18T00:41:53-08:00Let's Make Movie Music -- Apply now to Join Our Orchestra<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>It all begins on March 1st! Apply now!</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/577096/72adadf887c4a38705f836724e2f15ef373d7be3/original/french-horn-pic.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br>The GFFO takes pride in our contribution to film score history with restorations and new creative music for some of the most incredible and exciting movies in history!</p><p>It starts with the orchestra. <strong>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra</strong> is a collaboration of students and professionals dedicated to the love of music and movies! </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-huge" style="color:hsl(0, 75%, 60%);"><strong>JOIN THE ORCHESTRA!</strong></span><br><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);"><i><strong>Orchestra membership is free.</strong></i></span></p><p>If you or someone you know plays a musical instrument, consider joining us for this world-premiere adventure.</p><p>We accept students with both middle and high-school-level strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/join-our-orchestra-information-and-application" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-huge"><strong>Click here to apply and for more information</strong></span></a><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thegffo.com/join-our-orchestra-information-and-application">https://thegffo.com/join-our-orchestra-information-and-application</a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71477892023-02-02T15:45:53-08:002023-02-02T15:45:53-08:00Thank You for our great adventure into space!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/b805a25725a8fe6230cb40c2943eb60f0525d2d7/original/snapshot.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span class="font_small"><span style="color:#999999;"><em><strong>Criswell, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE</strong></em></span></span></p>
<p><br>We were excited to have such a large and enthusiastic audience at the PLAN 9 concert On January 29th!</p>
<p>Congratulations to the door prize winners and to the orchestra and all of the volunteers, local and bay area professional artists, and fans who came from up to hundreds of miles to celebrate movie music history!</p>
<p>This was never attempted before and yet it worked! How is it possible to bring outer space movies from the past century back to life??</p>
<p>Well, in the words of Criswell, himself --</p>
<p><span style="color:#7f8c8d;"><strong><em>"We once laughed at the horseless carriage, the aeroplane, the telephone, the electric light, vitamins, radio, and even television. And now some of us laugh at outer space. God help us in the future."</em></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_large">--- Speaking of the future --- </span></strong></p>
<p>Our next concert is on May 7th beginning our series on Buster Keaton and continuing with SUPERMAN.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Details coming soon!!</strong></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71442842023-01-27T00:50:37-08:002023-01-27T00:58:33-08:00Outer Space Aliens attack Earth with PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE - January 29th at 2:00 pm<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>This Sunday, January 25th, at 2:00 pm<br>Journey Downtown Theater</strong></span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/d81c75dae61704d3f606b465d1ec65ebfcf5d984/original/p9.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE -- the anti-classic epic space adventure in its original widescreen presentation -- all with a brand new live orchestra score and for the first time in SCENT-O-VISION! It's an experience you won't forget!</p>
<p>A TRIP TO THE MOON </p>
<p>is a color movie from 1902, with each frame colored by hand. It represents what they thought would be the way to get to the moon from earth and what they would see when they arrived. An AMAZING movie that changed cinema forever! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/e503abb05ed10a52e94585cb11f3e6b1f6433f3b/original/the-moon-by-melies-small.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>PLUS door prizes and a LIVE high voltage movie effects demonstration from early cinema!</p>
<p>GENERAL ADMISSION: $30.00</p>
<p>VETERANS: $20 with password: thankyouvets</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl">GET TICKETS HERE<br><a contents="https://thegffo.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/">https://thegffo.com/</a></span><br><br>STUDENTS and teachers get in free with a school ID card (NO TICKET NEEDED)! </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71368952023-01-12T02:11:21-08:002023-01-26T02:35:30-08:00Don’t Just See the Movie – Smell the Movie -- Building an Epic - part 3<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/50777127602fc268993db211d6e326644475a5a9/original/img-20220915-194837889-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><br>Don’t Just See the Movie – Smell the Movie! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE is in SCENT-O-VISION </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">You’ve seen movies in widescreen, and you’ve seen movies in 3D! You’ve seen movies in surround sound, but you’ve probably never experienced movies like this! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What does it smell like of an alien spaceship? Find out on Sunday, January 29th at 2:00 pm as the GFFO performs PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Sure, you’ll get the amazing experience of LIVE orchestra music with the movie! But there’s more: </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE will be featured in SCENT-O-VISION </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When you come to the theater, you’ll be given your own SCENT-O-VISION CARD with your very own special scent scratcher device. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When a special number slides across the screen, gently scrape the scratcher across the corresponding numbered icon on your SCENT-O-VISION CARD. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Then take a whiff. Voila! You will be transported by smell to the action on the screen! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/c49f5888e4ccb02c70bdc10e8db08e6b3bf0efdf/original/img-20221216-231700487-hdr.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />HISTORY OF MOVIE INVENTIVENESS -- <br>You might think this is a bit crazy. However, since the first indoor movie theater in America opened in 1896, filmmakers have experimented with various creative ways to advance the cinematic arts! The first sound movie hit theaters in 1927. But, before that, the first color movie was believed to be created in 1902; the first 3D film was in 1915; and the first movie to employ smell hit a theater way back in 1916. </p>
<p>MOVIES WITH A LIVE ORCHESTRA and in SCENT-O-VISION</p>
<p><em>It's a performance you won't forget!!</em></p>
<p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra <br>PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE <br>with TRIP TO THE MOON <br>Sunday, January 29th at 2:00 pm </p>
<p><a contents="CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar"><strong>CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS</strong></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71361002023-01-10T12:41:25-08:002023-01-10T12:41:25-08:00Why Plan 9 from Outer Space is an Awesome Movie!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/a85e86d8b66b42e1cf5e134859b4515f4f431b99/original/plan-9-squared-reduced.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Question: What do you get when you take the Addams Family, Twilight Zone, and Flash Gordon and mix it with the hope of Star Wars and the random zaniness of Guardians of the Galaxy -- then cover it with the pure joy of movie making?</strong> </p>
<p><strong>Answer: You get PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE!</strong> </p>
<p>Rarely is there a movie that went so wrong that it ultimately went so right! From its hilarious storyline to the characters that could never be duplicated -- even in the Marvel universe, director ED WOOD created a movie loved by film enthusiasts worldwide for more than half a century! Plan 9 from Outer Space is a testament to tenacity. And loads of fun!! </p>
<p>The movie was so iconic that in 1994, Tim Burton created an Oscar-winning film called ED WOOD about the making of PLAN 9. Jonny Depp was cast in the leading role as the hapless 1950s movie director. </p>
<p>But this is the original from 1957, Presented in its rare original wide-screen format with many added perks that would spark the imagination of any audience member lucky enough to witness this event! </p>
<p>A brand new live score based on some of the most incredible music ever written. </p>
<p>And now -- in the 4th Dimension of high voltage effects and SCENT-O-VISION where sight and scent come together! </p>
<p>Add a real LIVE orchestra presenting the music right in front of you in the theater, and you get an experience that would make any film and music fan stand and cheer!<br><br><strong><a contents="TICKETS AER AVAILABLE NOW" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar" target="_blank">TICKETS AER AVAILABLE NOW</a></strong></p>
<p>$30 - general admission <br>$20 - veterans and active military (use promo code: thankyouvets). <br>$00 - currently enrolled college, elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers may attend free without a ticket (school ID required - limited seating available FCFS).</p>
<p><br><span class="font_large"><strong><a contents="PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE withTRIP TO THE MOON" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar" target="_blank">PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE with<br>TRIP TO THE MOON</a></strong></span></p>
<p>Sun, Jan 29 at 2:00 PM</p>
<p>Journey Downtown Theater, 308 Main Street, Vacaville, CA. </p>
<p>Program: PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE - The infamous 1957 comedy full-length feature movie classic that wasn't intended to be a comedy, this film legend will be presented with a new orchestra score and lots of electronic effect fun! This is a World Premiere! PLUS a short bonus film featurette: TRIP TO THE MOON (1902) -- The first space science-fiction film ever made! </p>
<p>These LIVE movie scores are based on works by Elgar, Holst, and Tchaikovsky. </p>
<p>All are performed in a beautifully restored historical movie theater with a LIVE orchestra below the screen synchronized to the movie's action.</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71313612023-01-02T01:25:05-08:002023-01-02T01:32:46-08:00GFFO label merchandise is great fun and great quality<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cafepress.com/thegffostore/17286903" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/42255ca7f873ce397e59141d4fab910d040927a2/original/gffo-long-sleeve-tshirt.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cafepress.com/thegffostore/17286873" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/181e79798b6b1dd77d161dcdac506ddd43f7c861/original/549-350x350-front-color-khaki.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cafepress.com/thegffostore/17286882" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/90e023f77a8111ec07f3af244d2a09efb2afdb7a/original/526-350x350-front-color-frosted.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>Shirts, sweaters, hoodies, stickers, cups & other drinkware are just a tiny sample of the <span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>hundreds</strong></span> of items for sale in our online <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cafepress.com/thegffostore/17286903" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/d9bf3c675b37808fa0960f7d5faf6b20c36d58f3/original/155-350x350-front-color-black.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a>store. Proven quality and fast service make it fun to shop.</p>
<p>Plus --- The GFFO benefits from every sale!</p>
<p>Show your support for historic movie music and the student/pro collaborative artist community that makes it possible. </p>
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<p><a contents="Click here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cafepress.com/thegffostore/17312117" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl"><strong>Click here</strong></span></a> to visit our store!<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cafepress.com/thegffostore/17312117"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/0664c88421d3c2c64f6598f084739856fcebd042/original/gffo-black-transp.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></a></p>
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<p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71310202022-12-31T20:33:08-08:002022-12-31T20:34:39-08:00A heartfelt HAPPY NEW YEAR wishes to our GFFO family!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/8953e96a8e9c421afbce01077d5413abcfd1aa06/original/2023-new-year.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Looking back on our time together, 2022 was a fantastic year of movie music magic! Presenting Oscar-winning films, restored cartoons, and even a recorded single by the orchestra, We thank you for your miraculous support and enthusiasm!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Look for an amazing season in 2023!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">HAPPY NEW YEAR</span></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71122952022-12-31T20:17:14-08:002022-12-31T20:17:14-08:00Building an Epic: Part 2 - Giving Plan 9 from Outer Space an epic score.<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/74a22af7f04fbbdcf98dd6339f0a2f8bec4eca18/original/plan-9-parts-pic.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Performing this hilarious classic is a huge undertaking. First, it needed to be treated with fun and loving respect for its tenacious history. The film had to be digitally restored to its originally intended widescreen theater presentation, some of the old sound and visual effects needed to be replaced with live practical effects, and the implementation of SCENT-O-VISION (more on that later) brings a fitting realism to the experience.<br><br><span style="color:#95a5a6;"><em><strong><span class="font_large">Then there's the matter of the music --</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p>Ed Wood’s classic PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE didn’t have an original musical score. Orchestras were too expensive for his low-budget classic back in 1957. So instead, the resourceful Mr. Woods cobbled together recorded stock music used in other sci-fi thrillers to propel his story. We shouldn't judge him harshly as this practice can be traced to the earliest films over a century ago. <br><br><span style="color:#95a5a6;"><strong><em><span class="font_large">How music started in the movies -- </span></em></strong></span></p>
<p>In the early days of cinema, each theater had its own musical director who would arrange a score for each movie by pulling classical and popular sheet music from the theater’s library. The assembled score would be performed live as the film played. Some theaters had full orchestras, while others had small ensembles or just a piano or organ player. </p>
<p>Sometimes movie studios would provide suggested musical instructions called “cue sheets” to help in the theaters’ presentations. Bigger-budgeted productions had original music composed for the film that would be printed and sent to theater directors to arrange and perform as they saw fit. When sound was added to movies, the orchestras followed with recorded scores to accompany them, but the individuality of each movie performance was lost as theater orchestras disappeared. Until now!</p>
<p><br><br><span style="color:#95a5a6;"><strong><span class="font_large"><em>The GFFO brings this time-honored tradition back --</em></span></strong></span></p>
<p>Using the early movie theater musical art, we've created and assembled a score arranged in the traditions of early silent films. We've digitally removed the stock music from 1957, leaving the dialogue intact We've curated some of the best classical music and, with creative timing and editing techniques, perfectly times the music to fit the movies. With a new LIVE orchestra score, visual & olfactory effects, and other surprises, this will be a performance of a lifetime to see! </p>
<p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will give PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and A TRIP TO THE MOON a new score performed LIVE with the films <br>Sunday, January 29th at 2:00 pm </p>
<p>Here’s Sunday’s full program: </p>
<p><span style="color:#95a5a6;"><span class="font_large"><strong>We’ll open with an overture –</strong></span> </span><br><em><strong>Pomp and Circumstance #4 by Edward Elgar </strong></em></p>
<p><span style="color:#95a5a6;"><strong><span class="font_large">Then We’ll present our featurette -- </span></strong></span><br><strong>A TRIP TO THE MOON (1902) </strong><br>This is the first sci-fi movie in history. It will be presented in its original hand-painted colors! <br>LIVE orchestra movie Score based on <br><em><strong>Overture 1812 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky</strong> </em></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><span style="color:#95a5a6;">And finally, our feature Movie of the concert – </span></strong></span><br><strong>PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1957) </strong><br>Shown in the original rarely seen “widescreen” with live music and sound effects and the exciting SCENT-O-RAMA experience! <br>LIVE orchestra movie Score based on <br><em><strong>The Planets by Gustav Holst</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Tickets are available now!!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank">Tickets are available now!!</a></p>
<p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/71065832022-11-20T00:02:03-08:002022-11-28T14:34:15-08:00A FOUNDING GFFO MEMBER PERFORMS IN LIVE AT CalArts <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/056aeee3bdf134a4ca787266752927be6784ea61/original/9379.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Evan Losoya, our GAC committee chairman, founding member, and resident composer, performed his MFA Mid-Residence Recital at The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) on November 19th. It includes his virtuosic piano and oboe </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="YuHfmAT0Ork" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/YuHfmAT0Ork/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YuHfmAT0Ork?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>The GFFO has performed several of his compositions and arrangement. His abilities, talents, and artistry are an inspiration!</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/70873452022-11-01T15:28:28-07:002022-11-18T22:54:58-08:00Building an Epic: Part 1 - Recreating the Jacob's Ladder<p style="text-align: justify;">Have you ever wondered how much science goes into movie-making? Real science is at play when you marvel at a magic fantasy film or travel to distant stars with a space epic. That's the beauty of big-screen entertainment! It's also the rich history of filmmaking that spans over a century! Even 1950s adventure movies employed some impressive practical effects. Science is a big part of what we'll explore in the latest project by the Grand Feature film orchestra. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The GFFO collaborates with trained and experienced engineers to bring some amazing innovations to emerge from the screen and onto the stage! In the case of Plan 9 from Outer Space, we'll have to do a lot of science to bring this film to life. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The legendary Ed Wood worked with severely limited funds to create Plan 9, so practical special effects were difficult to achieve. His flying saucers were model kits purchased from a toy store. The airplane cockpit was constructed of plywood and a shower curtain. But he did manage to get his hands on a bit of electrical technology -- The "Jacob's Ladder."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Featured onboard Eros' spaceship interior is the famous high-voltage device. It has no plausible explanation in the story, but it's cool for mad science -- and madder science fiction space movies!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Assembling high-voltage science-fiction gadgets are tasks the GFFO does well. Our performance will have actual LIVE demonstrations of these devices to marvel at as the original movie progresses. Of course, these fantastic devices will also be displayed to experience and study after the concert. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/575f77f6215a99ee22a3aeea32a17aaa28f497ff/original/jacobs-ladder-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#95a5a6;"><strong><em>Arcing device on the left of the image above is "Jacob's Ladder" used in Plan 9 from Outer Space (1956)</em></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/96eff035c3788629e661dcf1185edc4dfa4a7219/original/jacobs-ladder-construction1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><span style="color:#999999;"><em><strong>Constructing a modern Jacob's Ladder for GFFO's LIVE performance</strong></em></span><br> </p>
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<p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/70686532022-09-26T00:28:58-07:002023-01-26T02:35:30-08:00The GFFO heads into OUTER SPACE for our next performance project!<p>After the fantastic WINGS performance by the GFFO last August, it's only fitting that they move into higher elevations beyond earth's realm. If Space truly is the final frontier, let's look at how early films approached this wonder of the imagination and how music became an important vehicle (or should I say "spaceship") to make dreams a reality. </p>
<p>Looking at the roots of space adventures, the GFFO will go to work reviving two classics to present to you in January. </p>
<p><br><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><strong><em><span class="font_large">This exciting project includes two legendary films --</span></em></strong></span><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><span class="font_large"> </span><span class="font_xl">Georges Méliès' A TRIP TO THE MOON </span><br><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/e503abb05ed10a52e94585cb11f3e6b1f6433f3b/original/the-moon-by-melies-small.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></strong>1902 is the year that French filmmaker Georges Méliès created his most iconic short movie depicting man's first visit to our moon. Remember, this is 1902 and what they knew about space travel was limited. The charm of the notion that a rocket ship could be loaded into a cannon, pointed, and shot into the sky sparked the world's imagination. </p>
<p>Who would be waiting to greet us on the moon? Would the moon people be friendly? The GFFO will attempt to answer these questions with a brand new LIVE musical score!</p>
<p>The movie was originally presented in color back in 1902. How was this possible? Georges Méliès hand-painted the colors into each movie frame. The movie will be presented in its original hand-painted colors.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><span class="font_large"> </span><span class="font_xl">Edward Wood's PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE </span><br><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/d81c75dae61704d3f606b465d1ec65ebfcf5d984/original/p9.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></strong><br>In 1957, with the same naive energy as Georges Méliès but none of the resources to make a serious cinematic effort, filmmaker Ed Wood set out to create a space sci-fi masterpiece filled with drama and edge-of-your-seat action. However, without the funding or the talent, his production faced impossible odds. The result was a hilarious comedy still enjoyed over half a century later. </p>
<p>Why did the space aliens, in flying saucers, come to earth to administer plan 9?</p>
<p>Why did such an advanced race fail with plans 1 through 8?</p>
<p>We may never know the answer, but we'll have lots of fun exploring this anti-classic.</p>
<p>The film will be presented in its rarely seen wide-screen format with a new LIVE score and a few surprises of our own!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br><span class="font_large"><strong><span style="color:#4e5f70;">Details:</span><br>Plan 9 from Outer Space - A Trip to the Moon</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sun, Jan 29, 2023 @ 2:00PM </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Journey Downtown Theater, 308 Main Street, Vacaville, CA.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Available in-person and live-streaming!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Advance tickets are available now.<br><a contents="thegffo.com/event-calendar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar">https://thegffo.com/event-calendar</a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/70379962022-09-19T14:27:38-07:002022-09-25T23:55:25-07:00GFFO - Epic action movie -WINGS- with live orchestra coming Sunday August 21st<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/7f4859562d79b6a0c8af2fa4fa28c8308064e370/original/wings-sqare-poster.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>An afternoon of great entertainment, food, and drinks is in store<br>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra<br><span class="font_xl">WINGS</span><br>live orchestra with the movie<br>August 21st, at 1:00 pm<br><br>TICKETS <br>$30 - general admission<br>$20 - military veterans using coupon code: propsandwings</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Elementary, middle, and high school students get in <strong>FREE</strong>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Tickets are available now right here:<br><span class="font_large"><a contents="https://thegffo.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/">https://thegffo.com</a></span></p><!-- more -->
<p style="text-align: center;">The Grand Feature Film Orchestra members have been working all summer to prepare for this stunning performance! This will be our first Sunday matinee-style event with fresh popcorn, kitchen-prepared snacks, and more!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hey... It's a movie -- dress casually and have a great time as the orchestra performs the music with the film LIVE!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">WINGS is the very first movie to win "Best Picture" and has set the standard for death-defying aerial stunts and a cast of thousands! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't want to miss. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#e67e22;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Fresh WOOD-FIRE PIZZA RECEPTION right after the performance!</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Join us right after the performance for a reception with the musicians and fellow movie fans featuring fresh wood-fired pizza right after the performance on Journey Downtown Theater's new outside patio! </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/70198392022-07-21T17:59:52-07:002022-07-21T20:51:10-07:00A Rare US Performance!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/0512c65ffc13eabf70ce73a27de4786658c61ca8/original/mb-3-pursuit-at-selfridge-field.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em><span style="color:#7f8c8d;"><strong><span class="font_small">One of the many planes used in the filming of WINGS in 1927</span></strong></span></em></p>
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<p><strong>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra presents WINGS - LIVE. William Wellman's epic action film is set during World War I. Academy Awards winner for "Best Picture" and "Best Engineering Effects." </strong></p>
<p>It's hard to believe that a movie boasting top-tier movie stars, 300 skilled airplane pilots, 3500 infantry men, and 20 cameras for the war scenes would meet the fate of so many lost films of early cinema. Nobody today may have had the chance to see WINGS if it hadn't been for a film print miraculously discovered 65 years later. </p>
<p>Shortly after this amazing discovery, Carl Davis was commissioned to compose and record an original orchestra score to restore the film's epic nature, bringing WINGS to its great grandeur. </p>
<p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will perform this beautifully complex score LIVE, using visuals in the movie to adjust and keep the music in sync. This is quite an undertaking, but that's the GFFO's specialty. </p>
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<p><strong><span class="font_large">What Film Critics are Saying --</span></strong><br><br><em><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><strong>"Wings is unquestionably the dazzle and pyrotechnics of the screen fulfilled in a new sphere, and teems with twentieth-century timeliness."<br> -- Edwin Schallert, Los Angeles Times</strong></span></em><br><br> </p>
<p><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><strong><em>"In my opinion, it’s not possible to create a perfect film, but Wings, in all of its cinematic glory, comes incredibly close." <br> -- Kyle Baine, Film Threat</em></strong></span></p>
<p><br><br><em><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><strong>"This feature gives one an unforgettable idea of the existence of these daring fighters."<br> -- Mordaunt Hall, New York Times</strong></span></em><br> </p>
<p><a contents="Tickets available Here." data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar"><span style="color:#d35400;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Tickets available Here.</strong></span></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/70189562022-07-20T16:13:44-07:002022-07-21T20:39:56-07:00Putting Together Great Music with Great Movies<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/95e660ce8fc0b716c1365008bbf1fe1d6e12a38d/original/gffo-jazz-in-san-francisco2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span style="color:#999999;"><strong><span class="font_small">Student GFFO members outside Different Fur recording studio in San Francisco recording their album, "Overtures."</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The GFFO is a magical collaboration of students and professionals. Students members of the GFFO learn more than the musical parts for performance. They must learn improvisation, advanced reading skills, music theory, harmony, arranging, and orchestration. It's a lot of fun and a lot of work. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">GFFO member students are part of an intensive study of music. It's one thing to play what's written. It's another thing to read it in a different key by sight, to add cues by improvisation, and to orchestrate the music to fit the story on the big screen. Complex time changes are used in the film to correct scene transitions and action cues changing the rhythmic feel on a dime. Everything is instantaneous and often unexpected to add to the excitement. That's the beauty of cinema -- to surprise and delight! Music helps make it happen. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">They don't do it alone. GFFO students get the privilege of working with some of the most talented artists in Northern California. That's when the whole orchestra is completed, and we're ready to present the epic performances to our movie fans. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It's a real honor to work with the talented students of the GFFO! You're in for an excellent and exciting performance in August! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Details:</p>
<p><strong>Directed by William Welman <br>Musical Score by Carl Davis <br>Performed LIVE by The Grand Feature Film Orchestra <br>Journey Downtown Theater <br>308 Main Street - Vacaville <br>Sunday, August 21st at 1:00 pm</strong></p>
<p><a contents="Tickets are available here." data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar">Tickets are available here.</a></p>
<p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69956602022-06-16T15:30:39-07:002022-07-16T12:06:28-07:00The GFFO summer orchestra project is in full swing<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/edb3a2cc1ef47dddfdc628d9ea91e4ec4351267a/original/adobestock-133222030.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Having the whole summer's beautiful weather as an inspiration, the Grand Feature Film Orchestra begins its summer with an exciting score! It'll take more than 40 hours of study and rehearsal to prepare and synchronize the music to the action on the screen. In addition, the engineering team will be busy creating sound effects using engines from real World War II plane engines and more. </p>
<p>The orchestra is preparing the fantastic score created by the Carl Davis of London, England, initially composed for a special British broadcast of William Welman's classic Oscar-winning film. The GFFO will create live synchronization from this award-winning composer's music LIVE with the movie, authentic sound effects, and more surprises!</p>
<p><em><span class="font_large"><strong>Calling all interested beginning and experienced artists and engineers!</strong></span></em></p>
<p>Are you interested in getting involved with the creation of this project? Applications are available now for beginning through advanced musicians, students, and engineers. We have openings for many instruments, including brass, strings, woodwinds, sound effect engineers, and more.</p>
<p><a contents="https://thegffo.com/summer-sessions" data-link-label="Summer Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/summer-sessions" target="_blank">https://thegffo.com/summer-sessions</a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69955482022-06-16T14:06:41-07:002022-06-16T16:06:02-07:00The Sound of Silence<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/b3eeac5975ec366c7f20d1c455fd9b083f7a6166/original/adobestock-139571071.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large"><strong>PART ONE -- Movie Sound Began with Music</strong></span></em></p>
<p>Take your favorite live-action movie or cartoon, and imagine it without a musical score. Imagine Star Wars without the brassy fanfares introducing the characters at just the right time. Music in movies has always been a mainstay of the cinema. It helps to reinforce the mood, supports the story, and sometimes becomes a character of its own (think of the minor second ostinato of Jaws).</p>
<p>The music is usually the last element added to the movie before it's released. The composer must watch the scenes without the music and add the right rhythmic and melodic touch to make the film come alive. Imagine being the composer responsible for a project worth hundreds of millions of dollars as the world waits for the final musical touch before its premiere. That's the power of cinematic music!</p>
<p>Where did this tradition of music in film begin? Some might believe it started with the first talkies, but its roots go back to the beginning of moving pictures in what was referred to as the silent film era. </p>
<p><em><strong>In PART TWO, we'll explore the rich history of music and how the GFFO keeps this legacy alive!</strong></em></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69914362022-06-10T15:07:05-07:002022-06-10T15:07:05-07:00The GFFO takes to the sky to feature WINGS<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/a4430ba0da5cabfb1e1e39da94df0d8dbd7e322a/original/wings1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_thick" alt="WINGS 1927" /><br>Big-time projects require big-time efforts. The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will feature WINGS. A WWI action movie with a live full orchestra score! </p>
<p>Directed by William Welman<br>Musical Score by Carl Davis<br>Performed LIVE by The Grand Feature Film Orchestra<br>Journey Downtown Theater<br>308 Main Street - Vacaville<br>Sunday, August 21st at 1:00 pm</p>
<p>The first movie to win the OSCAR<span class="font_small">®</span> for Best Picture, this action movie features aerial stunt acrobatics that leaves audiences stunned. Newly digitally restored with original color tints, this epic action movie is made more exciting by the Grand Feature Film Orchestra's performance synchronized LIVE with the action on the screen.</p>
<p>Tickets available now<br>https://thegffo.com/event-calendar</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69552412022-04-22T22:49:18-07:002022-05-24T00:51:08-07:00A World Premiere on May 15: SUPERMAN/LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Movies with LIVE orchestra<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/6d4cd4eeb75779b87b954e3f29a571fc1ee69b35/original/little-shop-sqare-poster.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Concert Program:</strong><br><strong><em>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra performing LIVE film scores with the movies</em></strong><br><br><strong>SUPERMAN: ARCTIC GIANTS (Animated Featurette) - musical score by Sammy Timberg (1942)</strong><br>The GFFO is dedicated to studying, reconstructing, and performing historic cinematic music. Sometimes this includes The Fleischer brothers' classic Superman masterpieces that shaped the golden age of animation. Even Disney owes many of its techniques to the groundbreaking duo of Dave and Max Fleischer. The famous composer, Sammy Timberg, wrote the iconic score to these short Technicolor gems in 1942.</p>
<p><em><strong>Story:</strong></em><br>When a team of scientists uncovers a prehistoric dinosaur, they bring it to the united states to display at the Museum of Natural Science. Unfortunately, a malfunction in the refrigeration unit brings the arctic giant to life with devastating consequences. Can Superman save the day?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Original Comedy classic by Roger Corman)- musical score by Fred Katz (1960) </strong><br>Famously shot in just two days, this classic is a testament to Corman's ingenuity and effortless creativity! It also boasts the first significant role by the upcoming movie star, <em><strong>Jack Nicholson</strong></em>!</p>
<p><em><strong>Story:</strong></em> <br>A hapless young flower shop employee stumbles upon an unusual and mysterious plant that promises to make him famous but at a high price.</p>
<p><br><br><em><strong>The concert will feature the live performance of SUPERMAN: ARCTIC GIANT<br>along with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS<br><span style="color:#f39c12;"><span class="font_large">BOTH are WORLD PREMIERES!</span></span><br>Sunday, May 15, 4:00 pm at Journey Downtown Theater.</strong></em><br><a contents="Tickets available now" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/event-calendar" target="_blank"><span class="font_large"><strong>Tickets available now</strong></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69450262022-04-11T13:51:53-07:002022-04-18T09:04:47-07:00OVERTURES by GFFO -- The adventure begins!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/c5d734d7a03c374b4ddeaa1b6c66419bae55c094/original/different-fur.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span style="color:#7f8c8d;"><em><strong><span class="font_small">Front entrance of Different Fur Studios -- San Francisco</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p>There's tremendous excitement as the Grand Feature Film Orchestra (GFFO) members prepare for their first album, <em><strong> OVERTURES</strong></em>. Studio sessions can be stressful because there's pressure to make things perfect. It's good that the orchestra is recording at a legendary studio! Different Fur Studios in San Francisco was founded in 1968 and has recorded legendary artists, such as Herbie Hancock, Con Funk Shun (Project Soul), Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Primus, Taj Mahal, and DEVO. Soon, The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will be part of that legendary list! :)</p>
<p>An orchestra needs to be well prepared technically and artistically to succeed in a studio. In many ways, it's more complicated than live performance. On stage, the members can interact with the audience and the moment. However, studio work has a different vibe, relying only on each other for artistic interpretation and precision. Several takes are recorded and then mixed for the final product. A single album track can take days to complete.</p>
<p>Creative teamwork is the key. The elder members mentor the younger artists as they negotiate through the twists and turns of some very complex sonic offerings.</p>
<p>Their first single from the album can be heard <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegffo.com/audio-tracks-and-videos"><span style="color:#8e44ad;"><span class="font_large"><strong>HERE</strong></span></span></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69393532022-04-03T16:29:20-07:002022-04-03T23:11:14-07:00Happy National Film Score Day -- April 3rd, 2022<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/68163bd9f40bb8705a7ba26034055bd3c95bbe0a/original/adobestock-272765106.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><strong>A few of our favorite film score composers: </strong></p>
<p><strong>John Williams</strong> -- iconic, almost Wagnerian connection between characters and music. Just pick a character and hum their theme! </p>
<p><strong>The Newman Family</strong> (Alfred, Randy, David, Maria, Thomas, Lionel, Joey, and Emil) -- the largest and most Oscar-winning family of composers. </p>
<p><strong>Hans Zimmer</strong> - an unnerving bridge between acoustic and electronic music (think The Dark Knight action scenes). </p>
<p><strong>Bernard Herrmann</strong> - His scores are amazingly tense and punctuated by edge-of-your-seat ostinati. Alfred Hitchcock owes much of his films' excitement to Herrmann!</p>
<p><strong>Max Steiner</strong> - perhaps the father of modern film scores (think KING KONG) </p>
<p><strong>Carl Stalling</strong> - father of cartoon comedy music. The very pinnacle of "mousing" almost every movement to music. (Looney Tunes) </p>
<p><strong>Carl Davis</strong> - devotion to the restoration and scoring of silent films -- bringing them many of the scores they richly deserve. </p>
<p><strong>Danny Elfman</strong> - playful energy that can only come from a former punk rock star. (Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) </p>
<p><strong>Evan Losoya</strong> - fresh experimentation mixed with nostalgic respect for film music's rich history! (Think of his modern scores to Sunrise and Steamboat Bill Junior.)</p>
<p>Listen to Evan Losoya's orchestrations in the upcoming<a contents=" Little Shop of Horrors/Superman-Arctic Giant GFFP performance on May 15th at Journey Downtown Theater" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar" target="_blank"> Little Shop of Horrors/Superman-Arctic Giant GFFP performance on May 15th at Journey Downtown Theater</a>.</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69322802022-03-25T14:43:23-07:002022-05-01T22:12:54-07:00GFFO's new single release is coming soon<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/a30c60642d930d209a428e9188e634946ab4210d/original/adobestock-89668547.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><br>The GFFO starts every concert with an overture. Then, we select our favorites in this series of projects and record them in a world-class recording studio for an album entitled "OVERTURES!"; the first is Don Ellis' BULGARIAN BULGE, to be released as a single in April, 2022</p>
<p>In every overture, the aim is to rev up the audience and prepare them for the presented features later on. BULGARIAN BULGE is a jazz work based on Bulgarian folk dance music known for complex driving rhythmic characteristics. At your first listen, you'll notice compelling energy in the music. This is accomplished by alternating 33/16 and 36/16 meters that move the work forward in an almost magical effect. Couple that with featured solos by various orchestra members, and you have a fitting start to an exciting album!</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69252592022-03-17T18:26:55-07:002022-04-03T23:09:15-07:00THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS INSPIRED A DC COMIC BOOK AND AN AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/f5dbb617221a3a69277de0e9cd3880729bc0f9dd/original/img-20220322-005326894.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><strong><em>The story of the carnivorous terror in a flower pot has become both an icon and an inspiration for artists for over 60 years! </em></strong></p>
<p>THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, became a famous New York off-Broadway award-winning hit musical still playing today? the inspired stage play is based on the original movie with added musical numbers and a few story tweaks. </p>
<p>Guess what? It was even made into a DC comic book back in 1987! We'll have a collector's copy on display at the concert and a special surprise is planned. Don't miss it!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>You don't have to travel across the country to get your fix of vicious vegetation!</strong></span><br><br>The original movie that started it all will be shown with a LIVE orchestra here in Vacaville! The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will perform Fred Katz's original score LIVE with the movie at The Journey Downtown Theater 308 Main Street -- Vacaville. CA.</p>
<p>Sunday, May 15th at 4:00 pm (LIVE in-person or LIVE streaming)!</p>
<p><a contents="TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW - HERE" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar">TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW - HERE</a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/69150102022-03-06T01:55:27-08:002022-03-06T15:03:18-08:00The Grand Feature Film Orchestra is Hard at work preparing a live performance of Roger Corman’s LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS along with The Fleischer Brother’s SUPERMAN! <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/28a1cab40f8c5d7561359a87dd0a049b8be8e275/original/the-little-shop-of-horrors-cast-cropped.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>After the successful performance of Harrold Lloyd's Safety Last, The Grand Feature Film Orchestra sets out for a world premiere to celebrate a Korman classic with a musical score by Fred Katz. This is a first in history!</p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Details</strong></span><br>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will perform the original Fred Katz jazz score LIVE with the movie and SUPERMAN – ARCTIC GIANT orchestrated by Evan Losoya on May 15th at 3:00 pm at Journey Downtown Theater. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Tickets are Available Now - Click Here" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar"><span class="font_large"><strong>Tickets (both in-person and live-streamed) are Available Now - Click Here</strong></span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">When you think of Little Shop of Horrors, you might be thinking of the highly successful Off-Broadway stage musical or the 1980s film adaptation starring Steve Martin, John Candy, and Bill Murray. But, did you know that it began long before that?</p>
<p>Little Shop of Horrors started as a sly low-budget film from 1960 that slowly crossed into legendary cult favorite territory. I doubt anyone would have guessed its future at the time. It was shot in just two days on sets borrowed from other productions. 16 mm black and white stock was the low-cost film of choice. And flat lighting made it possible to use multiple cameras to save money and get the production in the can before their 48 hours of the actors' paid time was up. </p>
<p><em><strong>Despite its low budget, it's a good movie, and its director is the reason. </strong></em></p>
<p>Director Roger Corman was the king of B movies. His reputation for filming everything quickly and on the cheap led to a prolific catalog of profitable midnight matinee films with names like ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES, THE WASP WOMEN, ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, and, of course, THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. So good was the film and concept that it sparked a successful Off-Broadway musical, a Saturday morning animated TV series, and a high-budget feature remake in 1986. </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Movie Plot</strong></span><br>Seymour Krelborn, a bumbling employee at a flower shop on Los Angeles' Skid Row, attempts to cross a Venus flytrap with a butterwort. The result is a new type of unusual plant that becomes very popular, ensuring the success of their humble store. The only problem is that it has a unique carnivorous nature that leads to murderous results! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960) is a surprisingly charming and inventive dark comedy that might have you thinking differently about your house plants. In addition, the film boasts its own big-name actor. It features an early film role for a young Jack Nicholson as the enthusiastic dental patient.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Join us as we bring THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS in its original rarely seen widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio and SUPERMAN episode 4 - ARCTIC GIANT as the featurette performed with the original musical score by THE GRAND FEATURE FILM ORCHESTRA. <br>Orchestrations by Evan Losoya<br>Sunday, May 15th at 4:00 pm at Journey Downtown Theater<br>308 Main Street, Vacaville</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Tickets are Available Now - Click Here" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar"><strong>Tickets (both in-person and live-streamed) are Available Now - Click Here</strong></a></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/68557972021-12-31T03:18:26-08:002021-12-31T03:18:26-08:00Tickets available now -- Harold Lloyd's SAFTY LAST to be performed January 13th at Journey Downtown Theater!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/d332d7e2a8540ef438b09d5c2e7f4738aa423a04/original/harold-lloyd.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Details:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Grand Feature Film Orchestra Presents<br><strong><span class="font_large">Harold Lloyd's SAFETY LAST</span></strong><br>-- a film with live orchestra --<br>Thursday, January 13th at 7:00 pm<br>Journey Downtown Theater<br>308 Main Street - Vacaville, CA.<br>in-person or streaming-live<br>Tickets available <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="Event Calendar" data-link-type="page" href="/event-calendar"><strong>HERE</strong></a></p>
<p>You won't want to miss this concert! It's an action-comedy that can't be described. But, it has to be seen to be believed.</p>
<p>Before computer effects, movie actors had to perform their stunts for real -- right in front of the camera! Harold Lloyd's greatest accomplishment in feat's of hair-raising movie antics was his SAFETY LAST -- initially released in 1923. You'll find the action to be even more exciting than modern films when you realize that it was actually being done before your eyes. </p>
<p>"Harold Lloyd manages to make the characters sympathetic enough to carry the audience's concern on his journey of crazy stunts and mishaps. One of the best of this era."<br> - <em>Empire Magazine</em><br><br>"The other great silent comics defined their own worlds; Lloyd lives dangerously in ours."<br> - <em>Chicago Reader</em></p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/68557892021-12-31T02:39:33-08:002021-12-31T02:39:33-08:00Engineering: Steam sound effects need a steam sound machine!<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/9d3e21f3e3a01c474738c5126703d3e79efbd3ad/original/steam-first-concept.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_small">GFFO members started with a simple concept --<br><em>a quick but brilliant idea doodled at an effects strategy meeting</em></span><br> </p>
<p>Live steam effects in 1920s films such as train and alarm whistles require a special machine to give it that authentic experience. So, Kaden Connelley, Josh Feil, and Arwin Caruso set out to design a device that will eventually look as cool as it sounds. With the help of Arwin's grandfather, retired mechanical engineer Ken Blanchard, the new steam machine will be a new valuable asset to our growing original effects gadgetry. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/59166a3ca85c7c53936042d537e6933c0ee69c4e/original/steam-design-drawings.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_small">With experienced artisans, like Mr. Blanchard, learning is accomplished --<br><em>Design drawings for the steam effects machine.</em></span></p>
<p>Designing clever effects instruments is part of our engineering education program at GAC. Look for these exciting machines in action at our movie concerts! </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/68556902021-12-31T01:14:34-08:002021-12-31T01:14:34-08:00Message for New Year's Eve - Still time to help the arts in a very special way!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/ae63a5177f079123c3758407710174c15dc10be4/original/adobestock-79690200.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>The Grand feature film Orchestra is a community of experienced and aspiring artists dedicated to music and sound effects for films. This unique art goes back to the beginning of cinema when all sound was provided live to the audience as the movie played. </p>
<p>The GFFO's time and commitment to film score/effects restoration, outreach in education, and presentation are expensive. However, the results are enriching to all who participate. </p>
<p>Won't you help with a tax-deductible gift of any size? Your donation today will allow us to continue our work into 2022 and beyond. </p>
<p>All donations are tax-deductible. </p>
<p>Visit our online donation page <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="Tax-deductible Donations" data-link-type="page" href="/tax-deductible-donations"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/68260632021-11-30T18:10:13-08:002022-11-20T00:15:43-08:002022 season tickets on sale now with Improved online system<p>We're excited to bring you this fun-packed year of movie fun! From comedies to cartoons to WW1 epics, the 2022 season is full of surprises.</p>
<p>All performance tickets are on sale now with an even better ticket sales system that should bring a more convenient buying experience to our fans, including: </p>
<p>-- better cart access </p>
<p>-- better customizing for multiple purchases </p>
<p>-- easier customer interface</p>
<p>You can access our calendar and ticket sales page <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grandfeaturefilmorchestra.com/event-calendar"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/68260182021-11-30T16:59:22-08:002021-12-07T23:29:52-08:00Exciting 2022 season starts with Harold Lloyd's hilarious SAFETY LAST<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/577096/d332d7e2a8540ef438b09d5c2e7f4738aa423a04/original/harold-lloyd.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>THE DETAILS:</strong></span><br><span style="color:#d35400;"><strong>Safety Last (1923) - Feature Movie with Live Orchestra <br>Thu, Jan 13, 2022 @ 7:00PM <br>Journey Downtown, 308 Main Street, Vacaville, CA.</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#d35400;"><strong>Tickets, both Streaming and in-person available <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grandfeaturefilmorchestra.com/event-calendar">HERE</a>.</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong><em>Yes, he's hanging from a clock face in this outlandishly iconic image that defines the fun of SAFETY LAST!</em></strong></p>
<p>Probably one of the best comedies of the silent era, Harold Lloyd shows off his skills as a physical comedian with seemingly death-defying stunts as he plays a young store clerk out to impress his girlfriend. Things don't go quite as planned, and we're brought into a world of hilarity and surprises.</p><!-- more -->
<p>The film was first presented in 1923 to stunned audiences around the world. The Grand Feature Film Orchestra will perform Safety Last in its entirety with a live orchestral score as we prepare for the movie's 100th anniversary. In addition, the orchestra will premiere its newly-built steam-powered sound effects machine for this epic occasion!</p>
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<p> </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/67762612021-10-14T15:43:20-07:002022-11-20T00:14:37-08:00STEM Education is Missing a Crucial Component<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_large">It’s about STE<span style="color:#c0392b;">A</span>M</span></strong> <br><strong>S</strong>cience, <strong>T</strong>echnology, <strong>E</strong>ngineering, <strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">A</span></strong>rts, and <strong>M</strong>ath </p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#4e5f70;">“To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” <em>- Leonardo da Vinci </em></span></strong></p>
<p>The GAC believes that STEM education, though important, is missing a vital component. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math cannot solve problems alone. Instead, each discipline is tied to art for meaning, problem-solving, and asking important questions. </p><!-- more -->
<p>It’s not enough to include art without exploring the connections that creativity has to each STEM area. Whether it’s working with high voltage resonant air-core transformers to make lightning effects for a classic Superman film or using inductive interference to induce an eerie voice sound, science is no less an art form than playing the violin. That’s what we’re out to prove. That’s what we aim to instill in all participants -- the scientist, the technologist, the engineer, the artist, and the mathematician in all of us. </p>
<p>That challenge is at the core of the Grand Arts Consortium – a cooperative of artists, engineers, historians, educators, students, and enthusiasts of <strong>S</strong>cience, <strong>T</strong>echnology, <strong>E</strong>ngineering, <span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>A</strong></span>rts, and <strong>M</strong>ath. Not STEM – <strong>STE<span style="color:#e74c3c;">A</span>M</strong>.</p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestratag:thegffo.com,2005:Post/67520182021-09-20T12:15:16-07:002021-10-14T22:46:22-07:00GFFO News from September, 2021<p><em>Dear movie and music fans, </em></p>
<p><em>The GFFO had a great time presenting Sunrise and Superman this past concert Event! <br>Because of you, it was a HUGE success! </em><br> </p>
<p><span style="color:#7f8c8d;"><span class="font_xl"><strong>It's a labor of love! </strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Each film takes months to prepare. Many movies have lost their original musical scores, so sometimes, complete reconstruction has to be done. This was the case of Sammy Timberg's genius music for the animated Superman series of the 1940s. At times, in silent films, entirely new scores must be composed to replace what may have been lost almost a century ago. </p><!-- more -->
<p style="text-align: justify;">After we prepare the scores, the GFFO must study and rehearse them for synchronization. The music must be performed with split-second accuracy by the orchestra to fit with the action on screen. For us, that's the best part -- bringing the music and the visuals together. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We look forward to more exciting performances this season, including hilarious comedies, fascinating dramas, and huge surprises! We'll keep you up-to-date on our progress! <br><br> </p>
<p><span style="color:#7f8c8d;"><span class="font_xl"><strong>We're a non-profit organization</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Producing film concerts and score restoration can be costly. So what we're able to accomplish depends primarily on our financial resources. Your generous tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to further our commitment to film music. </p>
<p>Visit this link to donate <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="Tax-deductible Donations" data-link-type="page" href="/tax-deductible-donations">HERE</a>.<br><br> </p>
<p><span style="color:#7f8c8d;"><strong><span class="font_xl">Calling music students, voice acting, and sound effect engineering students </span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="font_regular"><em>Open enrolment for musicians wishing to join the GFFO and learn the art of film music across diverse musical and cinematic styles? </em></span></strong><br><br>We're accepting students of traditional and many non-traditional orchestral instruments. <br>We even have thereminists, voice actors, and sound effects engineers. </p>
<p>Visit this link to apply for orchestra membership <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="Join the Orchestra" data-link-type="page" href="/join-the-orchestra">HERE</a>.</p>
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<hr><p style="text-align: justify;">That's all for now. Of course, we'll continue to offer updates at various times, but we promise not to clutter up your inbox. The newsletter comes out once a month. </p>
<p> Cheers!!! </p>The Grand Feature Film Orchestra