The work of the child actors in a musical film begins with singing rehearsals. Iiro Rantala’s music, which mixes styles, is a trademark of the Ripper films.
*Wild Machine* is the sixth *Rapper* film by composer and pianist Rantala.
– I get a lot more feedback on this than I do on the jazz piano strumming.
– Many people don’t even know anything about the other side, they just ask when the new Räppääjä is coming,” Rantala laughs.
Iiro Rantala says he is happy that a decent slice of the budget for the *Räppääjä* movies is still reserved for music making. Comparison with international productions can still be discouraging, to which the viewer of course compares domestic films. Finnish films compete for the audience with Disney, Pixar and other giant million-dollar productions.
The soundtrack of the first *Risto Räppääjä* movie literally played in many families at the time. At that time, music was listened to from CDs, which tended to get scratched when handled by children.
Playing with Iiro Rantala’s styles and genuinely funny music caught my ear.
Songs are described by moving your lips, but the easiest way is to sing along
– These could be real songs, and not any movie songs, sums up Otso.
Both wonder how much effort was put into the film’s music. Otso Törmälä says he can only guess what the whole process has been like. How long has it taken and what has been done by the time the singers received the material with notes to practice with.
Both Meri and Otso have been into music since childhood. Both say they also compose. Singing film music was fun and the songs were recorded already in the spring before the summer filming.
Presenting them in the filming was then its own thing.
– When we were filming the singing scenes, they played in the background and we had to sing along. It was as if I had to act out the song with my mouth, describes Meri.
– Yes, a slip, specifies Otso and continues:
– It’s a bit special, but I bet you don’t notice it, unless you know it. It seems that they are sung on the spot.
Child actors are retiring from their roles too quickly
– In the spring, when the production decision comes from the film foundation, we start feverishly looking for children. And before the summer filming, they have to learn everything, songs, lines and film acting, says Salomaa.
For adults, the project is one among many. Children usually play their first and often their last role. Salomaa says that child actors often \”retire\” from their roles after the first film.
The next race starts before the next movie. Otso and Meri were such a good pair that the team would love to make another *Räppääää* with them, but is there enough time? In a couple of years, now 12-year-old Otso Törmälä may already be a mustachioed two-meter teenager.
The music in the film must include a playlist for young people
The target audience of the *Räppääjä* films consists of 8-12-year-old precocious children, who were mostly born with headphones on. Those in the age group consume huge amounts of music and are particular about genres.
Iiro Rantala says that a young moviegoer needs to find similarities in movie music to his own playlist.
*Risto Räppääjä ja villi kone* tells the story of how a video game bought at a flea market takes over Risto, and a little bit also the downstairs neighbor Lennart Lindberg.
– Miko (Renfors) and I listened to a lot of game music for this movie.
*– Räppääji* usually has quite a bit of actual rap music, but for this game I wrote a mash-up story that also includes rapping. It rings throughout the movie, Rantala says.
The Ripper also appeals to audiences unaccustomed to cinema screens
*Risto Räppääjä ja villi kone* can be seen in 140 theaters throughout Finland during the premiere week. Production companies follow the film’s success with special interest. During the corona lockdown, a new generation grew up that has never been to the movies. Rimbo Salomaa notices that the parents are also a little embarrassed.
– In the preliminary procedures, we were asked if a small child can come to the cinema and if there is anything scary in this movie.
– We assured that Risto Räppääjä are absolutely allowed for all ages, Salomaa smiles.
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