For the past couple of weeks, I've been writing the score for Markwell Presents' 'YAiR' project, titled 'Monochrome'.
The play is about a class of highschool teenagers making websites to explore and communicate their most profound fears, dreams, and desires. They basically aim to recreate the stereotypes of highschool - the brooding quiet sociopath, class joker, annoying philanthropist, etc. The characters are played by a cast of 15-18 year olds, and they're all nice kids and good actors.
I was brought into the creation period a little late - the project has been running for 10 weeks, and I've been here for 2. Over those two weeks I've been drafting music which practically revolves around one motif. I call it 'Emma's Candle', and it's this soft, sweet tune which reemerges all over the place. The audience probably won't hear it, but it was in the trailer, appears in 2 darkroom scenes, once at the end, there's an ambient track with the same chord progression, and it's played backwards as the 'antagonist's theme.
Aside the main theme, there's a 'Victims' tune which emerges to add sympathy to characters. The songs the directors love are the piano tune, a specific dark drone for a character, and this gothic/tedious piece which starts with a single chime which evolves into a grotesque clash of guitars and piano. Its the only song which made them go 'Wow', and they've pointed out several times how it enhances the scene wonderfully. I'm very happy that they appreciate at least a couple.
My influences for this have been really varied. I had to create a piece that was bittersweet - soft and thoughtful, since there had to be a sound which reminded me of school days. The rift itself was inspired by Dupéré (of course) and my recent infatuation with The Banquet OST (Tan Dun with Lang Lang). The electronic effects were influenced by The Social Network and Black Swan. The recording quality was directed at Balmorhea's 'Constellations' album. A really strange blend of sources.
The process has been a little tricky. I actually recorded all the piano pieces on my iPhone, and although we discussed possibly using a recording studio, we ran out of time. The other music is frustratingly, and obviously, synthesized. I need to get a new program, and/or a new microphone that cancels out noise. The only tune I didn't write was the hip-hop frog music theme which plays when the actors introduce themselves and the characters.
All in all, when I finally heard the score tonight, paired with the video, acting, and lighting, it was delightful. I'm thrilled to have been in the project, and it will look great on my resume. The preview is tomorrow night and Monochrome plays until Friday night at Judith Wright. Great to finally have something off my chest. Now, still need to finish Process and get started on Creative Indistries. =|
Markwell Presents and the YAiR ensemble present 'Monochrome' at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. Tickets are $15, and is showing until May 27. Book by visiting Judith Wright's website or by calling (07) 3872 9000.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Malfi
Friday, May 20, 2011
La Boite on Wednesday Night
So, Wednesday was badass. I had to skip Edward Gant because of Process Drama, but we were walking to Room 60 at about 8pm, and I realised we could stop by at La Boite and schmooze with the other ambassadors so we could get some free booze. Interestingly, there was a huge bucket with wine and beer but no-one seemed to be in sight, even though we had just passed a lot of people leaving the theatre. We stood awkwardly in the lobby for a couple of minutes, before Liz popped out of the elevator (and could tell we just showed up for drinks). We sheepishly followed her outside, but got right into the drinking. Yey. Just what I needed. Next time when I don't have so much work I WILL GET WASTED AND CONFRONT MY FEARS.
As it happened, David Berthold joined us. I think I was at Beer #2 by then, so I was more than happy to tell him that the new promotional artwork for Gant sucks (I'll butcher it in my review of the show... tee hee...). Tilly and I chatted to him for about half an hour, before we were joined by the cast. By #4 I walked back over and accidentally trashed Dralion to a former sound operator. It also turned out that Paul Bishop is Stephen Bishop's (the clown from Varekai) brother! I shook his hand (hey, I was a little tipsy) and told him I really loved Stephen and Joanna's act. But I had nothing to say about the show at this point since I still haven't seen it. Har har.
So then after that, about 10 of us heading down for drinks at Room 60! Liz and David came too and we were talking about the book and loads of other stuff. Mr. Berthold said "crash the opening night" and I said I would have, but I had to go to the last rehearsal of Yair. Should have gone afterwards though, since the trains were cancelled from a bombscare. Oh well. Anyway, was an awesome night. Missing my Thursday night drinking sessions, but Wednesday after Process seems to be the ticket.
Nick did the honours on the latest task, which was to 'ask a friend to do something destructive'.
Anyway, I've wasted my entire day just fucking around. I've got too many assignments to do, and I'm auditioning tomorrow for a play I've never heard of, and I need to finish Process tomorrow. Heading into uni.
As it happened, David Berthold joined us. I think I was at Beer #2 by then, so I was more than happy to tell him that the new promotional artwork for Gant sucks (I'll butcher it in my review of the show... tee hee...). Tilly and I chatted to him for about half an hour, before we were joined by the cast. By #4 I walked back over and accidentally trashed Dralion to a former sound operator. It also turned out that Paul Bishop is Stephen Bishop's (the clown from Varekai) brother! I shook his hand (hey, I was a little tipsy) and told him I really loved Stephen and Joanna's act. But I had nothing to say about the show at this point since I still haven't seen it. Har har.
So then after that, about 10 of us heading down for drinks at Room 60! Liz and David came too and we were talking about the book and loads of other stuff. Mr. Berthold said "crash the opening night" and I said I would have, but I had to go to the last rehearsal of Yair. Should have gone afterwards though, since the trains were cancelled from a bombscare. Oh well. Anyway, was an awesome night. Missing my Thursday night drinking sessions, but Wednesday after Process seems to be the ticket.
Nick did the honours on the latest task, which was to 'ask a friend to do something destructive'.
 |
| I love the 'etc' thing in the corner! |
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
My Rant About Doctor Who
I'm bored of Doctor (Dr) Who. More specifically, I'm bored of its settings.
I started watching it in 2005 when the series was re-newed and we had Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, and before it was cool to watch Dr. Who. I think I remember being made fun of because I said I watched it. Whatever, I enjoyed it a lot back then. One thing I remember my brother saying was 'Do they ever go anywhere other than earth?'. Of course my brother usually pisses me off when he remarks at everything on TV. But he has a point.
Since the (new) Series 1, I can't really recall that many episodes where the show isn't based on Earth. They're veering down the 'Star Wars' path of not ever going anywhere except for well established places...except Star Wars confines itself to about 10 worlds. Dr. Who only has one, with rare exceptions.
Dr. Who is typically set on:
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WENT TO VISIT OXNARD IV??????????????????
FUUUUUU. Call me old fashioned, but I liked the old (retro) Dr. Who, when they had romantic doctors and his sexy companions gallavanting around other planets. It was actually a good novelty at the start, since it was fun to see Cardiff and London on TV, but fuck me dead it shits me off now to no end. In Season 5, 11 out of the 13 episodes were based in/around/on/under/fucking Earth. The two that weren't were cash-ins on the Blink episodes (which were originally based on Earth).
I'm not bothering with the new episodes. They're probably based on Earth.
I started watching it in 2005 when the series was re-newed and we had Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, and before it was cool to watch Dr. Who. I think I remember being made fun of because I said I watched it. Whatever, I enjoyed it a lot back then. One thing I remember my brother saying was 'Do they ever go anywhere other than earth?'. Of course my brother usually pisses me off when he remarks at everything on TV. But he has a point.
Since the (new) Series 1, I can't really recall that many episodes where the show isn't based on Earth. They're veering down the 'Star Wars' path of not ever going anywhere except for well established places...except Star Wars confines itself to about 10 worlds. Dr. Who only has one, with rare exceptions.
Dr. Who is typically set on:
- Earth (eg. New York)
- An older version of Earth (eg. New York)
- A new version of Earth (New New York)
- Under the surface Earth
- The Moon (above Earth)
- A Space Station (above Earth)
- An alternate reality (usually on Earth)
- A post apocalyptic Earth
- A comet/mining area above Earth
- Things that resemble Earth (A space highway, the Titanic, a magic library)
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WENT TO VISIT OXNARD IV??????????????????
FUUUUUU. Call me old fashioned, but I liked the old (retro) Dr. Who, when they had romantic doctors and his sexy companions gallavanting around other planets. It was actually a good novelty at the start, since it was fun to see Cardiff and London on TV, but fuck me dead it shits me off now to no end. In Season 5, 11 out of the 13 episodes were based in/around/on/under/fucking Earth. The two that weren't were cash-ins on the Blink episodes (which were originally based on Earth).
I'm not bothering with the new episodes. They're probably based on Earth.
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