The Whisperer In Darkness

So I spent about a month and a half running around the U.S. (from ND to Los Angeles to Vermont and back again) as part of the production crew for the upcoming 'The Whisperer in Darkness'.  If you haven't checked out the blog over at HPLHS, I recommend you do so! ( http://www.cthulhulives.org/Whisperer/twid-blog.html
 )
All of the crew wore numerous hats during the greater part of the principal photography session.  My function was primarily as set-sound recordist.  The duties included recording dialogue of the actors, whether through using hidden microphones in their clothing (lavaliers) or my Boom operator ( Robyn Heller - Los Angeles unit, Barry Lynch - Vermont unit) would capture audio with the microphone while I monitored and mixed it to the camera.  Robyn and I also spent a good deal of time at Universal and Warner Brothers, sorting through furniture, props and other set-dressing materials.  It was great fun.  I also exercised my paramedic skills on several occasions for minor incidents on set.

I'm back home in the studio now and all of the above mentioned experiences have inspired me greatly.  I am currently working on music sketches for the score to the film.  When I receive segments of the film, I'll start composing to picture.  As of now, I have a lot of still shots from the set that I am using to get a feel for the instrumentation I will use.  Invoking a mysterious aural accompaniment to the film will be a great challenge and I look forward to it.

Because this HPLHS production has sound and dialogue, a film composer has to find a balance between dialogue, sound effects, ambiance and music.  I can tell you from being on the set, the actors' performances were astounding and coupling music with them will be extremely rewarding.

As I am writing now, there are several principal photography scenes that need to be shot.  I anticipate going back out to assist with those soon.  Follow along at the blog linked above for more frequent updates than I publish here.  When I start to score the film and begin to work with orchestra, I will be posting more frequent updates and, possibly some video links.  Stay tuned!

2009 BSC Rising Star Alumni Award

I recently had the honor of being selected for the 2009 Bismarck State College Rising Star Alumni Award. The award ceremony was held May 14, 2009 with a dinner and program. Much to my delight, Arlene Gray (my piano teacher of many years) did an introductory speech for me. I was also asked to do a short acceptance speech. It was an incredible night, sharing that moment with my mentors, friends, colleagues and family. I shall cherish the memory. I've included the video below along with the program in pdf format. Thank you BSC Alumni Association - and to all of my mentors, friends, colleagues and family.

2009 Rising Star Alumni Award Brochure

Fischgaard Film Festival

I've recently been collaborating with Aberdeen, South Dakota-based production company Labyrinth Films.  Labyrinth Films is run by Shaun O'Connell (director) and Matt Klundt (DP).  I've worked on (2) 48-hour film festival creations along with a third short and am currently working on a film short as well.  Recently, we participated in 'Fischgaard 2009' a 48-hour film festival-style filmmaking festival in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  

In a 48-hour film festival, you basically have 48 hours to write, shoot, score and edit a film.  The entries are then screened at the festival and various awards are distributed.  In past years each team would randomly select their genre from a hat, a line of dialogue was issued and was to be used somewhere in the film as well as a character and prop.  This year, they mixed things up a bit.  Genres were thrown out and, instead, a line of dialogue from a famous film was drawn.  That line of dialogue was to help determine the thematic material of the film.  It could be literal, figurative, symbolic, whatever interpretive take you wanted to execute.  Ours was from SUPERMAN, 'fighting for truth justice and the American way.'  The result was a tongue-n-cheek look at an individual doing his part as a citizen and living the AMERICAN WAY to the best of his ability.  The result was as is linked below - and we won best film!  Of course, I scored the film within the 48 hour block as well.  Labyrinth Films was a hive of activity during those 48 hours - it's certainly a wonderful exercise - I'd recommend participating to any filmmaker or anyone part of a filmmaking team (composers, this is a true test of the "I needed it yesterday!" scenario).

AMERICAN WAY

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: The Shadow Over Innsmouth NOW AVAILABLE!

The Shadow Over Innsmouth CD

You want to know what the real horror is, hey? Well, it's this—it ain't what them fish devils have done, but what they're a-going to do!

Cover artwork by Darrell Tutchton ©2008

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: The Shadow Over Innsmouth brings Lovecraft's tale to life as it might have been adapted for radio in the 1930s. In the style of The War of the Worlds, The Shadow and our own At the Mountains of Madness,The Dunwich Horror, and The Shadow Out of Time, Dark Adventure Radio Theatre dramatizes HPL's story with a huge cast of professional actors, exciting sound effects and thrilling original music by Troy Sterling Nies (composer for The Call of Cthulhu). Discover what fate has in store for you as you delve into this cherished tale of ichthyic horrors.

In addition to the full 77 minute radio drama on CD, you'll get these carefully made props from the story to enhance your listening experience:

• A clipping from the New York Evening Graphicdescribing the government raid on Innsmouth

• A genuine matchbook from Innsmouth's historic Gilman House Hotel

• A souvenir postcard from the Newburyport Historical 

• A souvenir postcard from the Newburyport Historical Society with a picture of their prized Innsmouth tiara. The illustration was created for HPLHS by noted fantasy artist Keith Thompson

• A hand-drawn map of Innsmouth on the wrapping paper of the First National grocery chain. And yes, it really is "scratch-n-sniff". Ew.

And of course it's beautifully produced and packaged with the same deranged attention to detail that you'll find in other HPLHS products. Maybe even a little more than usual.

In a hurry? Don't want the props or a CD? Click here for the downloadable MP3 of the show. Or click here for info on our deluxe Innsmouth Combo.

FREE BONUS: Some of our friends overseas have asked if we'd provide a script to the show, so they could read along as they listen. We love the idea of people learning English the Lovecraft way. Free download coming soon!

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Price $19.50

Above: the CD, matchbook from the Gilman House hotel, a postcard of the Innsmouth Tiara, a page from the New York Evening Graphic and a scratch-n-sniff map of Innsmouth (mmm, cod).

Ascension - Video Game Soundtrack

Richard Whitwell of Decklin's Demise asked me to score his upcoming PC RPG, ASCENSION.  Ascension harkens back to the vintage PC RPG style paying homage to Bard's Tale, Wizardry and Ultima RPG game series.  I've been working on the score for some time now and will be nearing completion soon.  Game release is early 2009.  A game soundtrack release will occur shortly thereafter.  In the meantime, enjoy some samples from the game soundtrack:

Ascension - Exploring

Ascension - Guard Room

Losing an Icon: R.I.P. Richard Wright

Pink Floyd was and always will be my favorite band.  My dad raised me on a number of bands while I was young including Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Tangerine Dream, Moody Blues and many others.  Pink Floyd always impressed me the most.  Through my years of musical development, playing in rock bands and the like, it was Pink Floyd that also inspired me most.  Rick Wright was my keyboard hero through highschool and college and into present day.  Of course, Rick Wakeman was also high on the list, but Mr. Wright always mesmerized me with his choice of sounds, keyboards use of piano and so on throughout the albums.  Probably my most favorite tunes by Floyd also include Rick Wright singing lead or sharing lead with Waters or Gilmour.  The tune that immediately comes to mind is 'Echoes'.  His voice always added a very day-dream-esque quality which I believe help define their signature sound.  

When I learned of his passing, I immediately had to listen to some Floyd and I must admit, shed some tears.  

A friend of mine and I had always hoped to see Pink Floyd in concert.  When they held their Division Bell tour, we did everything we could to attend and eventually secured two second row tickets for their concert in Minneapolis (1995?).  I may not remember the date clearly, but I will never forget the concert and doubt I will see another concert remotely of the same magnitude.  

Over the years that followed, I was pleasantly surprised to see Wright's solo album 'Broken China' and his later appearances with David Gilmour in concert and his recent album, 'On an Island'.  Wright sings backup (and is easily heard) on the tunes on the hammond 'On an Island' and 'The Blue' (hammond and vocals).  Both of which give me chills.

And then, ultimately - when all hope of Pink Floyd reuniting had all but vanished, they appeared on stage for Live 8 - I watched - stunned - and then wept with join as they played.  And now, as I write this and think of Mr. Wright's passing - I'm finding it harder and harder to hold back the tears and vanquish the lump in my throat.

Wright had recently completed touring with Gilmour on his 'On an Island' tour - I just picked up the 2 disc CD and am holding off to listen to it until I have a blocked-out uninterrupted chunk of time.  Yes, I take listening to anything Pink Floyd or incarnations thereof that seriously.  As the 2 disc cd release has every song from 'On an Island' and many of Pink Floyd's earlier tunes - I am looking forward to hearing it a great deal.

According to some sources, Wright was working on an album and there's a possibility of it being released in instrumental form.  I will most certainly purchase this.  I'm assuming Guy Pratt (bassist for Pink Floyd projects after Waters exit) will have a large hand in it as he is married to Wright's daughter, Gala.  

I owe a great deal to Mr. Wright.  His part in Pink Floyd has greatly influenced me throughout my creative and waking life.  There are few artists in this world that I feel have actually improved  my quality of life.  It may not be a physical thing that can be measured, but many a moment in life has been underscored and enhanced by the sound of Pink Floyd and Rick Wright's ethereal keyboard presence.

Thank you Mr. Wright.  I'll miss you.

Richard Wright (28 July 1943 - 15 September 2008)

Quotes from the members of Pink Floyd in regards to Wright's passing are listed below:

(from wiki)

Also - on Sept. 23, 2008 David Gilmour played Pink Floyd's 1968 song, 'Remember a Day' - in memory of Richard Wright.  It is notable that this piece had never been performed live before:

In Search of Lovecraft world premiere at H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival!

I've just received word that IN SEARCH OF LOVECRAFT, a feature film that I scored last year, will receive it's world premiere at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.  The festival is in Portland, Oregon at the Historic Hollywood Theater.  More information on the festival and tickets are available at the link above.  I'm in the process of finalizing the film score CD to be available for purchase at the festival.  I'll be happy to sign your purchased copy at the festival!  See you there!