On Friday, March 29, at WonderCon 2024, BMI and White Bear PR collaborated to host a panel called The Musical World of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The panel featured composers Jeremy Zuckerman and Takeshi Furukawa, who discussed their work on the beloved series. Zuckerman, an Emmy winner, composed the score for the animated series, while Furukawa, a BAFTA nominee, scored the live-action series.
The panel took place at the Anaheim Convention Center and was moderated by Chandler Polling from White Bear PR. During the discussion, Zuckerman and Furukawa delved into the similarities, distinctions, nuances, and thematic elements that influenced their compositions for the Avatar series. They shared their experiences working on the series and how they approached creating music that captured the essence of the story and characters.
Zuckerman’s score for the animated series was a standout among fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender. He discussed his creative process behind crafting music that brought Aang, Katara, and Team Avatar to life through sound. Meanwhile, Furukawa talked about his approach to scoring the live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender. He shared insights into how he worked with director James Cameron to create a unique soundtrack that complemented both his own style as well as Cameron’s vision for the film.
The audience at WonderCon got a behind-the-scenes look at the world of Avatar through the eyes of two talented composers who brought it to life musically. Zuckerman and Furukawa shared anecdotes, challenges, and successes from their time working on the series, giving fans a deeper appreciation for the music that accompanied Aang’s adventures.
Overall, this panel offered a unique opportunity for fans to learn more about what went into crafting one of television’s most iconic scores. With insightful discussions between two accomplished composers who have worked on both animated and live-action versions of Avatar: The Last Airbender
