Giovanni Spinelli

Testimonials

Jeremiah Kipp, writer, director and producer ("Pick Up", "Slapface", “Sins”, “Perfect” and "Cookie"):

Giovanni is a total artist. Immersive. Gets into the mind of the movie through his music. Depth. Clarity. Makes the story telling richer. One of the smartest guys in the room.  Working with Giovanni was a deeply gratifying experience.  From our very first meeting, he was sensitive to the needs of the film, collaborative in his storytelling, and very open to creative exploration. You never doubt the result will be something very special, and Giovanni has a high standard of musical excellence that doesn't interfere with his work flow.  He's an incredibly talented artist and craftsman... I hope we have many more collaborations in the years to come.

Director Allison Argo (Winner of Six Emmy Awards) - ("The Last Pig"):

Giovanni is passionate about his art. He is willing to step well beyond the status quo in search of the right voice, tone and emotional colors for a film. He also understands the magic a live instrument brings to a score; he's able to artfully weave live with synthesized music to achieve an organic, dynamic sound. The cues that Giovanni wrote for my film are not simply music - each is an experience that catches the viewer by surprise and carries him/her deeper into the film.

Nathan Buck, Director/Producer ("Before El Fina’ - “Cupcake” - “Swaatch"):

Giovanni has composed music for four short films and one feature for me, and I can say without question that he is one of the most responsive and intuitive creatives in ANY film-related discipline that I have worked with. Giovanni particularly thrives on time-critical projects and without fail can be depended on to deliver to spec on, or before, deadlines. Most importantly, Giovanni has just the right balance of ingenuity and flexibility - capable of producing something brilliant, and then equally willing to modify it or return to the drawing board if it doesn't fit a particular project. I have no hesitation in recommending Giovanni Spinelli: an extremely talented, hard working composer who will always add value to your project. I hope to work with him again!

Director Brian Dilg ("Leaving Ashland", "Double Negative" and "Itch"),  Chair of the Photography Department, New York Film Academy:

It has been my great pleasure to work with Giovanni as a composer on several projects since we met in 2004, as well as to enjoy his work on additional film, theater, and dance productions. He is first and foremost a superb composer and musician who brings a peerless work ethic, a broad awareness of music and film history, and a deeply considered and researched approach to every piece of music he writes. But what truly forges lasting professional relationships are exceptional people with whom it is simply a joy to work, and in that respect Giovanni has few peers. To know him and spend time working with him is to be continuously immersed in a vast spectrum of musical ideas, stories, cultural references, and impressions that reflect the trans-continental life that he has led, the many languages he has mastered, and the depth of his passion and curiosity. As a director, I feel fortunate to have been able to collaborate on several film projects with him in the last decade, and look forward to continuing that fruitful partnership for many more decades to come. No one works harder; no one brings a more singular voice and artistic ability to a project.

Directors James Pellerito and David Barba ("Pop Star On Ice", "Be Good Johnny Weir",  "Anatomy of a Male Ballet Dancer", "American Cheerleader", "Baby with the Bathwater" and "Maree"):

Working with Giovanni Spinelli is like working with many different composers because he is a master of so many different music genres.  Giovanni is a classically trained musician and composer yet he is just as comfortable composing pop ballads, dance music, punk tracks, bossa nova jazz, slavic folk music or quiet, reflective musical score moments.  For our documentary film POP STAR ON ICE, starring iconoclast figure skating champion Johnny Weir, we in fact asked Giovanni to produce all of these genres and he delivered brilliantly.

Giovanni composed the haunting and achingly beautiful score for our film "MAREE" (TIDES) (Special Mention at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival).  The film has played around the world in more than 125 festivals, winning over 25 awards.  The only consistent compliment we've heard from film programmers to audience members is that the music breaks their hearts.

Giovanni is also comfortable in different arenas.  He composes music for bands, chamber ensembles, theater and television.

Beyond the talent, Giovanni is a pleasure to work with because he is extremely fast, creatively open and he 'gets it'.  We would strongly recommend Giovanni to any filmmaker or television producer provided the work does not conflict with our own!  Giovanni's involvement guarantees that the project will be better.

Director Eva Depoorter (“The Widow”):

I first met Giovanni on a film set in Brooklyn, NY.  It was cold and for me, too early to function properly.  Luckily, the director sent us out for coffee, and that’s when Giovanni and I properly connected: our European roots, humor and the right amount of coffee, would become the foundation of a future collaboration, i.e. The Widow. After having watched the rough cut, Giovanni immediately got to work and revealed how profoundly engaged and artistic he is. The process of working with a composer was new to me, but Giovanni guided me with stamina, never losing touch with his own perception, always maintaining a balance between his vision and mine… Until they beautifully came together and defined The Widow’s core: a poignant, sensual and visceral ode to loss. 

Xin Ying, Choreographer and Principal Dancer, Martha Graham Dance Company ("Lamentation"):

Giovanni's music is the dance partner I've been dreaming to have.  Expressive but not over the top. Supportive while providing contrast.  Just the right amount of resistance to make the movements have more range and volume.

Megumi Eda, Choreographer, Dancer and Multimedial Artist (“Just a Theory”):

I don't know how he has so much energy or where he finds the time! Once he starts working with me, he is like a machine, he almost can’t take a break. He is so passionate and very generous with his time and ideas. I am also impressed that Giovanni can make just about any type of music. Thank you Giovanni for making inspiring music for my dance film “Just a theory “ ...and please work with me again!

Ilaria Malvezzi, writer, actor and producer ("Open"):

Giovanni came highly recommended by my dear friend and close collaborator, director/writer Jeremiah Kipp.  Working with Giovanni greatly exceeded all my expectations. Giovanni embraced the material with great sensitivity, respect, modesty, enthusiasm and an impeccable work ethic.  His spirit of collaboration, patience and professionalism are unmatched.  Giovanni is a true and gifted artist and it has been a delight and an honor to have him on my team.  His presence, contribution and most of all his pure and childlike heart have been essential to make my vision come to life.  Giovanni transforms into gold everything he touches.  I couldn't recommend him more highly and I hope to share many more projects with him.

Director James Phillip Gates ("Private Life of the Master Race"):

I had the pleasure of working with Giovanni on a revival of Brecht's political masterpiece 'The Private Life of the Master Race' for my theatre company. His compositions were both provocative and highly mood-evoking, they never interfered with the play, but wholly supported it's journey. I can attest to his dedication, the high quality of his output, and, having since seen other projects he has worked on, his versatility. A talented composer for sure.

Paolo Cherchi Usai, Resident Curator Telluride Film Festival, Co-Founder, Pordenone Silent Film Festival (D.W. Griffith's "True Heart Susie"; F.W. Murnau's "Sunrise"):

Spinelli’s work in silent film music reveals a fresh, non-deferential approach to the live accompaniment of cinema classics. His mix of sensibility, competence and sheer enthusiasm for this precious art form provides audiences of the newest generations with a chance to discover silent cinema for what it really is – a timeless display of creativity and beauty.


Writer/Director Jason Wade Hammonds ("Jacknife Memoriam" - "Diane Skyhawk" - "American Way"):

Giovanni is an inspired genius.  Working with him on my last three films has been a real treat.  He seems to be always inventing something new and this always works to my advantage.  I get clips of maybe 5-10 pieces prior to filming and it always helps drive the direction of the film.  He has an amazing talent for melding the classical and the contemporary, creating something that could only be an original Spinelli.

Zishan Ugurlu, Resident Director, La Mama Theater (Strindberg's "The Father"):

Giovanni's music sparkles and soars in a style which is rich and inspiring. It unveils the human soul with the quality of the greatest masterpieces.

Meissa Hampton, Director ("A Social Cure"):

Giovanni was a treasure.  We had a tight deadline and he stepped in and brought our Feature documentary to completion.  He was fast and responsive.  It can be difficult to find someone with whom communication is easy and efficient. Giovanni was that someone - he understood the tone and intent of the project and made adjustments easily and comprehensively.  He’s proactive and consummately professional.  I feel very lucky to have found him and that I was able to work with him.

Playrwright/Director, Richard Caliban ("Teatro Slovak" - "Cabaret Cucaracha/Les Funky Bitches Fantastique"):

Giovanni is a kick ass musician who can fuse classical influences with rock, jazz, latin, or just about any other genre. I've done some pretty crazy theatrical stuff with Giovanni and he has composed some amazing work-- outright songs as well as background ambiance. He's also done musical direction/arranging and always made my music much more sophisticated and interesting. We play live in a band together too -- Les Funky Bitches Fantastique. He's a good guy. You should hire him whether it's for a film, a play or a cabaret act or whatever.

Thomas Barnes, director, writer, producer and instructor at the New York Film Academy ("Porgies and Bass"):

Giovanni is a badass film composer and a passionate collaborator with an insane work ethic! His score will make your film better.  And you will have a great time doing it!

Producer Philippe Brenninkmeyer ("Bis Gleich"):

Giovanni is a musical wizard.  The music that he composed for our film "Bis Gleich" is so phenomenal that it elevated the film to heights we could have only dreamed of in our wildest dreams.

REVIEWS

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-- Sonic Cinema (on "Pickup")