How to write a TV theme tune - BBC Newsnight

How do you write music for a story that changes every day?
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George Fenton has composed for numerous BBC news programmes and ahead of Newsnight’s 40th birthday he let us into his studio to explain how you write the ultimate television theme tune.
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight
Twitter: / bbcnewsnight
Facebook: / bbcnewsnight

Пікірлер: 82

  • @sanbell
    @sanbell4 жыл бұрын

    1:34 My favorite news theme ever.

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    1988

  • @Greenpoloboy3

    @Greenpoloboy3

    4 жыл бұрын

    It was used in 80's and 90's. Is a superb piece. Wished they still used it sometimes, maybe for 10PM news

  • @Greenpoloboy3

    @Greenpoloboy3

    4 жыл бұрын

    @DoubleDS9 agreed

  • @elbecko7969

    @elbecko7969

    3 жыл бұрын

    IT IS SUPERB

  • @ishmael2586

    @ishmael2586

    2 ай бұрын

    Same. Superior to the shite they use today. For me it sounds very British.

  • @elbecko7969
    @elbecko79693 жыл бұрын

    I am absolutely overwhelmed with this. I never knew that one man wrote all those BBC News themes. They are so incredibly powerful and noble. I can't express how impressive his composing is. I remember these pieces of music from when I was very young. I'd also love to know who created the visuals for the introductions. They need to commission Mr Fenton again and ditch the drumming and bleeps that they currently use. The Bergerac theme is cool as too. The bass and percussion!!

  • @tvfromvcr8331
    @tvfromvcr8331 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing composer! The 9 o'clock News theme is just brilliant. It's also fascinating to know that he has scored many a Hollywood film including Groundhog Day and You've Got Mail, two of my favourite films!

  • @markwilliams8488
    @markwilliams84883 жыл бұрын

    1:34 Stationed at RAF Welford June 1991 - Jan 1993. This theme blew me away. I'd try to hear it every evening. Scary powerful, so dramatic. And the graphics hearken back to an earlier era. Unforgettable.

  • @givemethevalium
    @givemethevalium4 жыл бұрын

    Had no idea the same person had written all those iconic themes. His BBC news theme (particularly the first version of it) is the greatest news theme of all time, IMHO

  • @Clavinovaman

    @Clavinovaman

    4 жыл бұрын

    Very good point. I did know, but sadly with his news themes, he never gets an on screen credit.

  • @marianokrause-merkel1840

    @marianokrause-merkel1840

    4 жыл бұрын

    You may be referring to the 1988 one, the one that is very MARTIAL!

  • @meherenow6312
    @meherenow63122 жыл бұрын

    "compressing it all into 9 seconds" - that says it all - George Fenton, another genius along with David Lowe and Alan Hawshaw. To think that most modern TV has done away with theme tunes...

  • @Clavinovaman

    @Clavinovaman

    2 жыл бұрын

    Indeed, we live in the world where Tv themes have been replaced by 'sound' rather than music per say. Inane Marc Sylvan type 'sound' is what producers want now.

  • @cricketexplained8526

    @cricketexplained8526

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Clavinovaman I don't mind that, but what really gets me is BBC using about 10 variants of one news theme.

  • @frazzleface753
    @frazzleface7534 жыл бұрын

    The 90s 9 'o clock news theme was unbeatable. I also like George's work for KPM. 'Computer Crime' for example.

  • @Darren79
    @Darren793 жыл бұрын

    A great composer - George Fenton. I didn't realise he'd done sooo many of the news programme themes!

  • @dotnb
    @dotnb2 жыл бұрын

    The one that sounds like Thor throwing thunderbolts, the 1988 bbc news theme is my favourite! A master at work.

  • @garyhunt8067
    @garyhunt80673 жыл бұрын

    Love the dramatic tune from the 9 o'clock news

  • @MPPelli
    @MPPelli4 жыл бұрын

    Fenton is a legend. Bergerac - one of the greatest tv themes ever.

  • @Clavinovaman

    @Clavinovaman

    4 жыл бұрын

    Agreed. But was rearranged later in the shows run, which didn't have quite the same appeal.

  • @MPPelli

    @MPPelli

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@Clavinovaman Very true. The original (with Jack Emblow on the accordion, afaik) is definitely the best.

  • @WolfieVII
    @WolfieVII4 жыл бұрын

    1:33 is still one of my all time favourites, the percussion hits in the first half of the theme reminded me of a heartbeat to add to the feeling of 'immediacy' he mentions in this video. Either that was intentional, or I'm thinking too much into it 😂

  • @Greenpoloboy3

    @Greenpoloboy3

    4 жыл бұрын

    Is awesome

  • @rbrooks2007
    @rbrooks20073 жыл бұрын

    Somewhere there is a daytime TV schools programme where he talks about where he started out by writing for plays at college and then approaching local amateur theatre companies and then is given a task to write a song around a single line of music. A most interesting man.

  • @QuizWriterMark
    @QuizWriterMark11 ай бұрын

    1990's BBC News Theme were utterly bombastic and powerful!

  • @bigh210670
    @bigh2106702 жыл бұрын

    This man has wrote so many themes to the history of television he is a genius. My favourite of all time is BBC Breakfast from the early beginnings it was almost like the tv was waking up. Thank you so much Mr Fenton

  • @robalexander8065
    @robalexander80652 жыл бұрын

    George also wrote the PM theme used from 1988-1997 for Radio 4. It reappeared on Leap Day 2016, along with calls for it to be reinstated.

  • @MePeterNicholls
    @MePeterNicholls4 жыл бұрын

    9oclock news at 1:33 still gives me goosebumps

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    From 1988, remixed in 1991 in parts.

  • @Greenpoloboy3

    @Greenpoloboy3

    4 жыл бұрын

    its awesome

  • @TabassumTahminaShaguftaHussein
    @TabassumTahminaShaguftaHussein4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much indeed for sharing the behind the music story.

  • @pjsretrogamesmusicandwrass5795
    @pjsretrogamesmusicandwrass57952 жыл бұрын

    George's music is lit 💪😎...The A major phrasing and the calypso feel on "On the Record " , memories ...

  • @MrMittens1974
    @MrMittens19749 ай бұрын

    Fenton's score for the 1984 film 'Company of wolves' is a masterpiece.

  • @jacksugden8190
    @jacksugden81904 жыл бұрын

    Initially George Fenton did a demo track for the editor of Newsnight in 1982, subsequently he was commissioned to produce 5 tracks, there have been six versions preceding this 2019 version, which in my opinion was too fast and now running out steam on previous versions. 1993 was my favourite. The 1986 version was as fast as the 2019 version. 1982 - 1986 original version 1986 - 1993 1993 - 1998 1998 - 2006 2006 - 2010 2010 - 2019 2019 -

  • @recreationprofilestv8849
    @recreationprofilestv88492 жыл бұрын

    George & David, the Goat in BBC news composition. Fantastic 🎉🎉

  • @fusionsuper34
    @fusionsuper342 жыл бұрын

    They should have kept the 1993 theme. That was the best one up there with the 2006 version.

  • @tpc.9159
    @tpc.91594 жыл бұрын

    Longer History, More Serious but More Vibrant than David Lowe's theme, I prefer NewsNight as my personal favourite - You know it will be something serious when you hear it (not an ordinary news bulletin). Look forward to 28 January 2020 - 40th Anniversary for NewsNight. Can't help but will say "Good Evening" every time after the tune ends. The most standard way to pronounce these two words.

  • @merciasafetyservices6992
    @merciasafetyservices6992 Жыл бұрын

    Legendary George Fenton

  • @slyph63
    @slyph633 жыл бұрын

    I love this piece. It kind of rounds off the day.

  • @yellowledbutter
    @yellowledbutter2 жыл бұрын

    Extraordinary talent

  • @henridobbs2423
    @henridobbs24234 жыл бұрын

    Cheers for this guys awesome.

  • @NewRepublicMapper
    @NewRepublicMapper2 жыл бұрын

    They should collaborate with David Lowe and make a Fusion of Past and Present BBC News Themes

  • @AndrewHsieh96
    @AndrewHsieh964 жыл бұрын

    One of the best news themes I've ever heard, same with the themes from the 90s (my early childhood). Great work, George! 👍

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    Which one?.

  • @Clavinovaman

    @Clavinovaman

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes, Newsnight and Channel 4 News (Alan Hawshaw) are the best news themes. David Lowe's current BBC News music has long outlived its welcome.

  • @AndrewHsieh96

    @AndrewHsieh96

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@jacksugden8190 1993-1997

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@AndrewHsieh96 What do you mean please?.

  • @123brownjames
    @123brownjames4 жыл бұрын

    Absolute legend 😊 so many theme tunes wow

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    Not enough current affairs

  • @Dr.Fiendish
    @Dr.Fiendish2 жыл бұрын

    The theme for the Tom Bell series Out was fantastic.

  • @MostlyLoveOfMusic
    @MostlyLoveOfMusic4 жыл бұрын

    Awesome

  • @malacca1951
    @malacca1951Ай бұрын

    I'm a huge fan of Mr Fenton (particularly his Alan Bennett connections!) But sorry that there are so many 'Kindovs/Sortovs'! ("A Kindov like a flash; Sortov like as it were; Kindov Rock; Kindov moves; Kindov give; Kindov sense; Sortov trippy; Sortov evoke; Kindov a gumshoe; Kindov image; kindov down at heel") Kindov interesting!

  • @SwedebearSe67
    @SwedebearSe673 жыл бұрын

    Shorter is always more difficult. It's true in any media, writing, music, video...

  • @Clavinovaman
    @Clavinovaman4 жыл бұрын

    One of the most talented composers. Super chap. Like the update of the theme, but the new logo is naff - looks like a neon sign from a dodgy nightclub or 'British Rail meets Newsround'. Pity the Producer who has an ear for music doesn't have an eye for a good brand. _Now lets have a full programme about George's music..._

  • @sillygoose635

    @sillygoose635

    4 жыл бұрын

    i highly disagree.

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    Me too about the new arrangement, as time for a change with a new sense of direction, how many times can we reinvent the wheel....

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    Think this new arrangement, now time for a change with a new sense of direction, how many times can we reinvent the wheel....

  • @joeshimwell1269
    @joeshimwell12694 жыл бұрын

    wow like the new newsnight branding it needed an update tbh, I'm a big theme tune nerd haha

  • @jacksugden8190

    @jacksugden8190

    4 жыл бұрын

    12 versions so far since 1981. Latest was in 2010.

  • @AlphonseWeebay
    @AlphonseWeebay18 күн бұрын

    Howard Goodalls red dwarf them kicks ass too

  • @co101
    @co1014 жыл бұрын

    And now I press the replay icon...

  • @peter-jamesmmbago8721
    @peter-jamesmmbago87213 жыл бұрын

    Newsnight sounds like a Thomas Tallis Medieval madrigal at first ...

  • @dtwdvne
    @dtwdvne3 жыл бұрын

    Interesting

  • @robgweston965
    @robgweston965Ай бұрын

    Anyone know the notes for the nine o’clock news?

  • @anthonyglee1710
    @anthonyglee17103 жыл бұрын

    Wow, this guy is a genius. Love the BBC News theme for the past 20 years. One of the best is 1980’s BBC Breakfast News intro.

  • @stretchmorgan
    @stretchmorgan4 жыл бұрын

    Great to see papaer & pencil instead of Sibelius.

  • @andreaknowles78
    @andreaknowles782 ай бұрын

    Bergerac!

  • @frcluc
    @frcluc Жыл бұрын

    Make a documentary about or interview Danny Elfman, the greatest theme composer in history.

  • @ahdhudbbh
    @ahdhudbbh3 жыл бұрын

    The theme is the only good thing about Newsnight since Jeremy Paxman left.

  • @peremeesz
    @peremeesz2 жыл бұрын

    Newsnight. Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

  • @juanhernandez2858
    @juanhernandez28583 жыл бұрын

    Hellowfrommexico

  • @chrisashley3200
    @chrisashley32003 жыл бұрын

    As long overdue new management is ushered into the BBC, please please please can the new Director-General recommission George Fenton to replace the utter banal dross of a so-called theme tune that has plagued the BBC news output since around 1997. The news theme tunes of the 1980s from 1:16 to 1:42 still send me into goosebumps. Strong, impactful melodies that accurately convey the drama and reality of a news broadcast. The One O’Clock and Six O’Clock news themes from that era are particularly excellent. Much much more please of that genre!

  • @gustavohernandeza.890
    @gustavohernandeza.8902 жыл бұрын

    What an achievement: to create memorable, attention-grabbing news themes that are stand out on their own.

  • @sharlenemusiclover3486
    @sharlenemusiclover34864 жыл бұрын

    Now submitting #CIAFF2020 peace and love ❤️ Colorado Intl. Activism Film Festival #Denver

  • @SomersetFilm
    @SomersetFilm3 ай бұрын

    Does he get paid every time it's used? That's the key question. 🙂

  • @AndrewOTodd

    @AndrewOTodd

    Ай бұрын

    Yes, all composers receive a royalty each time their music is broadcast, even if for a few seconds. Meaning in the 1980s and 90s, Mr Fenton would have done very well indeed as his music virtually wall-papered the TV schedules.

  • @bluntycunty6952
    @bluntycunty69524 жыл бұрын

    MUG MUG MUGS

  • @culttelevision
    @culttelevision4 жыл бұрын

    When the BBC was the trusted source of non-sensationalist real journalism until John (Lord!) Birt came in under Thatcher and ruined it by introducing the internal market, which over 30 years turned the BBC into a strange organisation. Now BBC News is full of a very odd minority demographic of activists which is why the news bears little resemblance to most of the audience's real existence. Fenton' 1984 Six O'Clock news theme was epic and signified that the REAL news was coming in. I did my work experience at the BBC in November 1988 and remember sitting in the viewing gallery above the Six O'Clock news studio going live and when the countdown starts and you were sat above the set and you heard the first few bars of the theme, it really was very exciting. His 1988 9'O Clock News theme was the second epic one to my mind. Hearing the Berlin Wall coming down with its underscore were defining moments in life: tvark.org/?page=media&mediaid=123658

  • @baragonkunfan94thesecondar60
    @baragonkunfan94thesecondar604 жыл бұрын

    am i the only non-british 15 year old? all i see are rambling british boomers just non-stop talking about the past. calm tf down.