From his groundbreaking work as co-founder and frontman of DEVO to a remarkable career composing for film, television, animation, and games, Mark Mothersbaugh has spent decades creating music that is unmistakably his own. Join Mothersbaugh for an intimate conversation with award-winning songwriter, composer, and former studio executive Robert Kraft, exploring the creative journey that took him from the stages of the late 1970s new wave movement to collaborations with some of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation.
The conversation will dive into Mothersbaugh’s long-standing creative partnership with Wes Anderson, beginning with Bottle Rocket and continuing through films including Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It will also explore his approach to creating musical worlds for major studio productions such as The LEGO Movie, Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, A Minecraft Movie, and Hoppers, alongside stories and insights from a career spanning more than 150 film, television, game, and commercial projects.
Together, Mothersbaugh and Kraft will unpack the relationship between composer and filmmaker, the challenge of finding a film’s musical identity, and the instincts and experimentation that have defined Mothersbaugh’s work across genres and generations. For film lovers, music fans, composers, and anyone fascinated by the creative process, this special VIFF Talk offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from an artist whose music has helped shape some of the most memorable moments on screen.
Want more Mothersbaugh? Mark will be joining us at the Vancouver Playhouse on Oct 8 for VIFF Live: An Evening with Mark Mothersbaugh as he performs an exclusive concert alongside an 11-piece ensemble and special guest artists.
Book your VIFF Talk: Stories Behind the Music tickets and get $5 off your ticket to the VIFF Live by selecting the available add-on.
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Guest
Mark Mothersbaugh
Mark Mothersbaugh is a Grammy-, BAFTA- and Emmy-nominated composer, producer, designer, and visual artist whose work has become part of the pop culture consciousness. He began his career as the musical architect and front man of the seminal, Grammy-nominated new wave band Devo. Their Brian Eno/David Bowie-produced debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We are Devo was certified Gold before their hit album Freedom of Choice went Platinum.
Through the years, Mothersbaugh has transformed into an award-winning composer for film and television. His credits include a range of projects from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse to Thor: Ragnorak (2017) and, most recently, A Minecraft Movie (2025). Mark has also created the sound for many award-winning commercials and video games. He continues to perform with Devo and can be seen as the art teacher on the popular children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba.
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