Kenneth Hall stands next to a poster of Rudy, one of his many credits as a music editor. (USC photo)
In memoriam: Kenneth Hall
The longtime music editor worked on an A-list of Hollywood films, from E.T the Extra-Terrestrial and Patton to Poltergeist and L.A. Confidential
Professor Kenneth Hall, holder of the Ken Wannberg Endowed Chair in Music Editing at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, died Aug. 25.
Hall joined the faculty in 2005 and, in addition to overseeing and teaching many courses on sound, taught “Directing the Composer,” a class so popular that alumni would come back for the final session as an impromptu reunion every year.
Hall is remembered as a warm spirit who genuinely loved teaching and took a personal interest in his students’ growth.
Ken brought an incredible passion and sense of fun to the classroom.
Elizabeth M. Daley
“Ken was beloved by all of us — students, faculty and staff. He will be deeply missed as an artist, a teacher and a friend,” said Dean Elizabeth M. Daley. “Ken brought an incredible passion and sense of fun to the classroom, and his love of teaching touched the lives of countless graduates. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Hall edited more than 950 films and TV productions in his career. He was associated with several Oscar-winning and nominated films, including E.T the Extra-Terrestrial, The Amityville Horror, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Patton, Under Fire, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Hoosiers, Basic Instinct, L.A. Confidential and Mulan.
He worked with some of the most respected and talented film composers in the industry, such as John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Alex North, Henry Mancini, John Barry, Bill Conti, Maurice Jarre, Lalo Schifrin, Marvin Hamlisch, Lionel Newman and Miklos Rozsa.