Looks like all those people who just gushed over the score in Dark Knight will still be able to enjoy it, but its composers will not be considered for an award at the Oscars.
Zimmer, Howard and the other three individuals — music editor Alex Gibson, ambient music designer Mel Wesson and composer Lorne Balfe — reportedly signed an affidavit stating that the score was primarily the work of Zimmer and Howard.
That apparently wasn’t enough for the majority of the committee, which was also supplied with documentation indicating that more than 60%, but less than 70%, of the score was credited to Zimmer and Howard.
In a nutshell, there are rules that say that to be considered for an Original Score Oscar Award would be disqualified as this expressly excludes from eligibility all scores assembled from the music of more than one composer. (Academy Rule 16 B Part 5 Subsection F – no, I didn’t just make that up)
There are other rules that exclude collected tracks as a soundtrack, or scores used in other mediums etc. This has to be an original piece meant for this movie alone. And this was.
But within their rules, if there are too many cooks in the kitchen, no matter how good the meal, it cannot be recognized. Zimmer and Howard were even given express permission from those credited to take the full credit for the work and were still turfed.
Guess what they say is true. Nice guys finish last.
These guys try to give proper credit to the inspirations and collaborations that lead to their masterpeice and for it they are not recognized for their work? Amazing that “BEST PICTURE” is accomplished with every last hand, volunteer, employee, actor, director, and every other breathing soul that participated in that film, but for the score, if others help out you are considered less than worthy of recognition.
