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How Max Steiner Invented Hollywood Film Scoring: The Man Behind Casablanca's Music
Most people know the iconic score of Casablanca, but few realize it was composed by a man who literally invented the rules of Hollywood film music. Max Steiner, born in Vienna in 1888, was a child prodigy taught by Gustav Mahler. He fled war and ended up in Los Angeles, where he transformed film scoring forever. This video breaks down Steiner's revolutionary techniques: leitmotifs (assigning musical themes to characters), Mickey Mousing (perfectly syncing music to on-screen action), and his brutal work schedule—sometimes composing for 56 hours straight. You'll discover how he turned As Time Goes By into an emotional powerhouse, why he fought for composers' rights, and how his methods still shape every blockbuster you hear today. If you love movies, you need to understand the man who gave them their voice.
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