Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1345045
2021 SCL AWARDS I 21 Blanchard went on to compose his first complete film score for the following Spike Lee joint, 1991's Jungle Fever. In The Score interview, he recalled the writing process for the film and how Lee pushed him artistically for not only that project, but all of his scores for the filmmaker. "The thing about our relationship is that Spike always challenges me. He was like, 'Man, I want you to write for the Boys Choir of Harlem.' I'm like, 'Okay…' How do you write for choir? Let me figure that out." Lee and Blanchard talked in depth to The Score about the writing process for the project that followed, the 1992 film Malcolm X. Again, Terence remembered that Spike pushed him and the rest of the film's crew to be creatively authentic. "Spike had us all scared, 'cause Spike would say, 'Man, you can't fake it, because that's just gonna show up. You gotta be real.' And he was right." Lee's insistence for excellence paid off: In 2010, the Library of Congress selected Malcolm X to be preserved in the National Film Registry. Three decades of collaboration have not only produced notable achievements in filmmaking history for Lee and Blanchard, but also a unique, recognizable style for the team. "There is a sound and a vibe to the things that we've done," said Blanchard. "And it's interesting because, even [for] the people who come up to me and say, 'I like what you and Spike do,' I think, I can't do that for anybody else. Even if they try, it doesn't work because they don't make movies like he does." "With Spike's films, you always see him upping the ante every time he does something, which makes me want to up the ante every time that I work with him," Blanchard mused. "And that's always what you want in any type of artistic relationship." Terence was at the piano and he was playing this melody. I said, 'Hold up! Hold up! What is that? " " –SPIKE LEE