Moonlight, La La Land Amongst Winners At The HMMA Awards

Actor/Comedian Ron Pearson was working hard to warm up the Fonda Theater's packed-to-capacity crowd attending the Seventh Annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) November 17th, 2016.  After juggling and simultaneously balancing a chair on his chin, Pearson asked the cordial crowd "What's it gonna take to get you to like me?"  Without waiting for an answer, he ran off stage, only to return seconds later with a ten foot ladder he then balanced on his chin.  As he proceeded to juggle, the crowd went nuts.

Attendees were also entertained and educated by video clips highlighting two non-profit foundations supported by the HMMA's:  The Seany Foundation and Education through Music Los Angeles  The Seany Foundation provides children battling cancer the opportunity to attend a summer camp - free of charge - where they learn empowering skills and meet other children overcoming similar odds. to Education Through Music Los Angeles provides instruments and music lessons to inner city youth who's schools have lost funding for music in their curriculum.

The HMMA nominations are selected by an advisory board and selection committee which includes journalists, music executives, songwriters and composers. The winners are determined by music-media industry professionals comprised of select members of the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), The Television Academy, the AMPAS Music Branch, NARAS, performing rights organizations, film music journalists, and music executives.   After singer/songwriter Melanie serenaded the crowd to an unplugged version of her seventy's classic "Brand New Key", the awards were presented to the deserving composers, majority of whom were in attendance to receive their awards.

The  2016 Hollywood Music in Media – Visual Media Award winners are:  

ORIGINAL SCORE – DRAMATIC FEATURE

Nicholas Britell (Moonlight) - WINNER

ORIGINAL SCORE - SCI-FI/FANTASY FILM

John Debney (The Jungle Book)

ORIGINAL SCORE - ANIMATED FILM

Alexandre Desplat (The Secret Life of Pets)

SONG – DRAMATIC FEATURE

“City of Stars” (La La Land) Written by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, performed by Ryan Gosling

SONG - ANIMATED FILM

“Can’t Stop The Feeling” (Trolls) Written by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Shellback. Performed by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick

SONG - DOCUMENTARY

“A Minute to Breathe” (Before the Flood) Written and performed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

MAIN TITLE - TV SHOW / DIGITAL SERIES

Victor Reyes (The Night Manager)

ORIGINAL SCORE - TV SHOW / MINI SERIES

Alex Heffes (Roots) History Channel

ORIGINAL SCORE - VIDEO GAME

Derek Duke, Neal Acree, Sam Cardon, Cris Velasco (Overwatch)