Film Scoring
Our passion is creating just the right music to augment and enhance the emotional message of a particular scene. Music can make all the difference!
The Process
In our most recent project “Bugtussle”, a short film by Derek Sitter, James worked together with local musician and songwriter Johnny Bourbon to create a country inspired score that was tailor made to each scene. The process involved a viewing of rough scenes with Derek during which we’d discuss the moments where music could help carry the emotional content of the scene.
This clip shows how music is communicating the gravity of the situation in a style that sets the emotional and stylistic tone of the scene. Derek had expressed the desire to have a score that was country sounding as the film is supposed to take place in Bakersfield California.
Scoring the scene
Here is an example where the score works to augment and support the acting to set the emotional intensity level of the scene. In this scene, the score helps create two completely different moods as circumstances change in the story.
For this film Derek had conceived the idea that the score’s emotional intensity and the “darkness” of the of the music should progress throughout the film to help express the increasingly dire circumstances of the characters.
Setting the Tone
Here is another example of the score supporting the storyline and adding color to the dialog. The music helps set the tone for the story and creates a lighter emotional section.
All instruments here played by James, including: Electric Guitar, and Pedal Steel Guitar.
Augmenting Intensity
In this part of the film the music uses the same instrumentation (electric guitar) but in a completely different way and introduces a much more dark sound to help support the point in the film where main character has an emotional breakdown.
Outro
This outro really sets the tone of the end of the film and as in every great short film, the score and cinematography here really creates the sense that the end of the film is a new beginning.
