Hi everyone. As I continue to revise my horror script, "The Shadows," I was wondering if anyone can help me find a classical jazz song (preferably in the public domain) that can create an eerie atmosphere for a particular scene (think "Midnight, the Stars, and You" in "The Shining"). I know screenwriters don't typically add music to their scripts, but if anyone can give me some ideas, I think it can at least help me gain a clearer vision of what my scene will be like. I'd really appreciate any suggestions.
Composing : Horror Music Ideas by Anthony John Orlando
Competition Reader at Austin Film Festival ♦ Screenwriter, Author, Videographer, Actor, Cinematographer, Director, Editor, Photographer (Still)
1 year ago
Horror Music Ideas
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Great question Anthony John Orlando ! Nothing is coming to mind over here but I'll keep thinking on it. My gut instinct would be that a lot of the eerie atmosphere that source music creates in a scene is down to the juxtaposition of the visual image/narrative with the audio. If you listen to Midnight, The Stars etc. by itself, it's not particularly eerie- it's how Kubrick uses it that makes it unsettling and creates the atmosphere of the scene. Can you give us a bit more context to help people think of any possibilities for you?
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Thank you, Joanna Karselis . The scene I'm working on pays homage to that particular moment in The Shining (the protagonist enters a party full of ghosts controlled by the film's antagonist, who tries to get the hero to give his soul to him and let him control his body, offering him the chance to be free of his pain, worry, and sadness). I know the way "Midnight, the Stars" fits its scene, as the lyrics underline how Jack is hypnotized and ends up surrendering himself to the will of the Overlook Hotel.
For my scene, I'd like the song I choose to make it feel like the hero is entering a dream world where he is tempted to escape from his hard life, and the villain is telling him that he can't say "no," as it is where he belongs.
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Anthony John Orlando Fair point on the lyrics underlining, haven't seen the film in a while and didn't remember the words! Thanks for the extra context. I'm still pulling a blank here but hopefully someone here will have some thoughts.
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Some of my favorites standards with big band arrangements open with an upsurge that could be felt a bit eerie. Billi Holiday, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Hope that helps.
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Joanna Karselis Thank you. If this helps, some other candidates I considered are "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "Some Enchanted Evening," and "It's Been A Long Long Time" (but these songs are from a much later era). Nevertheless, I hope they give you an idea of the kind of sound and lyrics I'm looking for.
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Maybe "The Mooche" - Duke Ellington, but there's no lyrics.
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As Joanna Karselis says above, the eeriness of songs usually comes from the context (think nursery rhymes) unless they are specifically written to be eerie. Old jazz standards weren't written with film in mind, so you won't find exactly that. You need to look for a song that reflects the emotional world of your protagonist or that tales an opposite (ironic) position. A coupe of questions: does it have to be jazz and does it have to be from the 20's? For some reason I immediately thought of the Chris De Burgh song "Spanish Train" when I read your post - lol. It's absolutely not right, but is about a poker game between God and the Devil. The song Temptation (Diana Krall) is an idea....it's not 20's though.
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Thank you Arhynn Descy . Personally, I think jazz (something that people can dance to) is what I'm looking for. I'm looking for 20s songs because they fit the era the scene is invoking (but also to try and find songs that are in the public domain). However, I am flexible to rewriting the era to the '30s or '40s, if necessary.
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Maybe something like....
https://youtu.be/3bPsdBS8Lno?feature=shared
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Hi Anthony John Orlando , wow, already loads of great suggestions from my fellow composers here! Just a little thing comes to my mind and maybe you are already aware of that, but here it is anyway. Once you have chosen the song, if it is public domain, then you'll have to check who owns the recording you intend to use: the song might be P.D., but the recording may not and then you will still have to ask and pay for a license to use it OR you can have a pro recording a cover of the public domain song.. Sometimes directors find it easier to have a composer re-create a "sound alike" for the song they have in mind. I know it is very early days, but, since you have a specific idea in mind already, it is good to make plans and to know you have options :)
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I've always thought THE GHOST OF STEPHEN FOSTER by the Squirrel Nut Zippers would be great in a movie. They are a more modern band but play music inspired by the era. They are awesome Give it a listen. Or try some of their other cuts.
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I've always liked "My Funny Valentine". It has been performed by more than 600 artists and has appeared on over 1300 albums. Finding an obscure scratchy instrumental version would be perfect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd65yIwO6h8
4 people like this
not jazz but listen to how Philip Glass uses a simple motif well to create Helen's theme in Candyman.
As someone already mentioned, the awkwardness really is not due to the music itself, but to the incongruity of the music and the picture.
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I like Andre’s idea - Philip Glass might have some
Interesting motifs / dissonance to clarity / consonance sounds/ movements.
Remember studying P. Glass in one of my
Masters programs.