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Composer Jonathan Scott Friedman on How Music Adds to the Laughs in 'Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead'

When I was a kid, I grew up with the cult classic, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. It was the ultimate wish fulfillment movie; a story about kids thriving in a world without adults, and also learning some responsibility along the way. Well, BET has reimagined the film for today and created a funny romp that's sure to inspire a new generation. One of the things that tied the first movie together was the music, and this new one is the same. We had the pleasure of sitting down with the composer, Jonathan Scott Friedman, and talking about how music can add to the laughs in these kinds of movies. Let's dive in. - YouTube www.youtube.com "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" is a reimagining of a cult classic. How did you approach creating a soundtrack that honors the original while bringing something fresh and new to this version?Something about the spirit of the original 1991 film just felt fresh in today's world. It cuts against a trend toward edgy realism you see in a lot of teen-focused entertainment these days (think: "Euphoria"). But the original "Don't Tell Mom" is really quite innocent in its mischief, and that was a key ingredient we wanted to capture and recontextualize for today. It was more about inhabiting that 90s headspace and letting the music emerge from there vs. trying to make it sound like the original. That approach helped us stay true to the tone of the original while leaving enough...

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Published By: NoFilmSchool - Wednesday, 6 November

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