A relatively new group, their impact on Oscar voting is in flux so we’ll see how well they do this year.
SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS & LYRICISTS AWARDS
Best Original Score for a Studio Film
American Fiction
The Boy and the Heron
Killers of the Flower Moon (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Thomas)
Oppenheimer (Wesley, Peter, Thomas)
Saltburn
Wesley Lovell: Oppenheimer has won most of the awards but never underestimate the legend of Joe Hisaishi, though I doubt he’s going to beat out second-place finisher Killers of the Flower Moon.
Pete Patrick: I expect this to go to Oppenheimer like just about everything else, but Killers of the Flower or a surprise win by American Fiction are also possible.
Thomas La Tourette: Oppenheimer has dominated this category, though personally I found it a bit overbearing, and I expect it to easily win.
Best Original Score for an Independent Film
American Symphony (Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Peter)
Ferrari (RU:Thomas)
Mushka
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
The Zone of Interest (Wesley, Peter)
Wesley Lovell: None of these are Oscar nominees, so it’s difficult to say for sure which will win. Mica Levi seems a much more likely winner for The Zone of Interest, but American Symphony‘s Jon Batiste write an entire symphony, so he has to be considered a prime contender as well.
Pete Patrick: A category that hasn’t gotten much attention, for which The Zone of Interest seems most likely to be singled out.
Thomas La Tourette: American Symphony was the only score that made the Oscar shortlist, so I think it could win here.
Best Original Song for a Dramatic or Documentary Visual Media Production
Better Times – Jacob the Baker
Can’t Catch Me Now – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
It Never Went Away – American Symphony (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Thomas)
Road to Freedom – Rustin (Wesley, Peter, Thomas)
Slip Away – Carmen
Wesley Lovell: One of these songs was nominated for the Oscar, which is surprising considering the prominence of the the title I’m citing as winner. “Road to Freedom” probably has the best chance since everyone thought it would be nominated, but don’t count out “It Never Went Away,” which is that sole Oscar nominee on the list.
Pete Patrick: I would guess Lenny Kravitz’s song from Rustin with the tune from American Symphony poised to upset.
Thomas La Tourette: The rousing “Road to Freedom” feels like a winner over the Oscar-nominated “It never Went Away.”
Best Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production
All About Me – The L Word: Generation Q
The Fire Inside – Flamin’ Hot
I’m Just Ken – Barbie (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Thomas)
Peaches – The Super Mario Bros. Movie
What Was I Made For? – Barbie (Wesley, Peter, Thomas)
Wesley Lovell: Three of the Oscar nominees are here and while sentimentality might win out at the Oscars, professional songwriters are much more likely to get how well “What Was I Made For?” was written. Since it’s also the Grammy winner for Song of the Year, a songwriters award, I can’t imagine it losing, though if it loses to “I’m Just Ken,” then the Oscar should be a slam dunk.
Pete Patrick: One of the songs from Barbie will win, more likely “What Was I Made For?” than “I’m Just Ken” but anything else would be a shock.
Thomas La Tourette: The Barbie songs have been dominating the awards and I think that will continue here. I will give the edge to “What Was I Made For?” to win over “I’m Just Ken.”
David Raksin Award for Emerging Talent
After Death (Wesley, Peter)
Commitment to Life (RU:Wesley)
Home Is a Hotel (RU:Peter)
The Land of Dreams (Thomas)
The Naughty Nine (RU:Thomas)
Wesley Lovell: I don’t know any of these films by name, so I’m make a guess.
Pete Patrick: No commentary provided.
Thomas La Tourette: No commentary provided.
