Shrek the Third (video game soundtrack)

The original musical soundtrack of the Shrek the Third video game was composed by Winifred Phillips. The original music for the video game was produced by Winnie Waldron. Additional music by Geoff Zanelli. [ [http://www.mobygames.com/game/ps2/shrek-the-third/credits "Game Credits for Shrek the Third"] Mobygames.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.] As of July 2008 the Shrek the Third videogame soundtrack has not received a commercial release, although a medley of tracks from the score is available for online streaming via the composer Winifred Phillips' website.

Background

In an interview with BellaOnline.com journalist Shelia M. Goss, composer Winifred Phillips described the process of music production on video game projects, referencing her work on the “Shrek the Third” game: " A scene in a game starts with the design document. This is where the game designers lay out their plans for how the scene will play out, what the objectives of the player will be, and what obstacles will stand in the way. I’m usually able to read over the design document for the scene to get a sense of how everything will work in the final game. Then, I’m supplied either with a video file showing gameplay for that scene, or an early version of that portion of the game so that I can play it myself. For the “Shrek the Third” game I worked with award-winning music producer Winnie Waldron, and together we studied the supplied materials very closely before we started working on the music…For “Shrek the Third”, Dreamworks took a very active role in the game’s development… I thoroughly enjoy seeing what the developers create, and I always hope that the music I write for a scene inspires them as they continue to mold and adjust that scene, refining it meticulously until it is the best it can be." [ [http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50912.asp "Shrek the Third Video Game Music Composer Winifred Phillips – Women in Music"] BellaOnline.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.]

Addressing the issues and challenges surrounding the scoring of a movie-based game, Phillips told interviewer Ismini Roby of WomenGamers.com, “…for a movie-based title, a composer has to create an atmosphere that is true to the spirit of the film, whether that film is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “The Da Vinci Code” or “Shrek the Third”. Because the game and the film are always in production simultaneously, the game composer doesn’t have access to the film or the film’s score while working. I like this a lot, because I get to invent my own musical interpretation, which is something I love to do!” [ [http://www.womengamers.com/articles/interviews/winifred-phillips-composer/2/ "WomenGamers.com – Articles – Winifred Phillips, Award-Winning Video Game Music Composer"] WomenGamers.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.]

In an interview regarding her music for the “Speed Racer: The Videogame” project with Soundtrack.net’s Rafael Ruiz, Phillips mentioned her work on the “Shrek the Third” game. “While I was working on the "Shrek the Third" game I heard that Harry Gregson-Williams listened to some of my music from the game and liked it, saying that I have 'chops'. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear that he'd said that.” [ [http://www.soundtrack.net/features/article/?id=255 "Soundtrack.net: Interview – Winifred Phillips"] Soundtrack.net. Accessed July 21, 2008.]

Describing her musical approach to the project, Phillips told GamingAngels.com interviewer Trina Schwimmer, "Shrek's world is a fantastic mix of fairy tale icons and contemporary sensibilities, which makes for a wonderfully creative playground in which to make music." [ [http://www.gamingangels.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=497&keywords=winifred "GamingAngels.com – Winifred Phillips Interview"] GamingAngels.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.]

Critical Reception

The music of the Shrek the Third videogame has received positive reviews. In his review of the videogame, Mark Smith of GameChronicles.com wrote: “The music is excellent, and I’m assuming it’s borrowed from the film, and if not, it could have been… its just that good.” [ [http://www.gamechronicles.com/reviews/wii/shrek3/shrek3.htm "Game Chronicles - Review"] GameChronicles.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.] In a review on the "Game-Boyz.com" site, the musical soundtrack is praised as "an area of strength… the soundtrack adds to the intensity and excitement of the game. It blends in very nicely with the on screen action and some of the tunes are very memorable as I found myself humming some of them well after extended time playing." [ [http://www.game-boyz.com/content/?q=node/7910 "Shrek the Third / PSP / Reviews"] Game-Boyz.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.] In describing the audio of the “Shrek the Third” videogame, Chris Meyer of GameVortex writes, “The game’s background music has a very appropriate fairy tale, light-hearted feel to it, giving the game an overall uplifting air.” [ [http://www.gamevortex.com/gamevortex/soft_rev.php/3620/shrek-the-third-psp.html "Shrek the Third on GameVortex.com"] GameVortex.com. Accessed July 21, 2008.]

References

External Links

* [http://shrekthethirdgame.com/ Official Shrek the Third Videogame Web Site]
* [http://www.winifredphillips.com/ Winifred Phillips' Website]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=159412392 Winnie Waldron's MySpace Page]
* [http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,181549/ Winnie Waldron's Developer Listing in the MobyGames Database]
* [http://www.myspace.com/winifredphillips Winifred Phillips' MySpace Page]
* [http://www.soundtrack.net/composers/database/?id=1125 Soundtrack.net Profile of Winifred Phillips]