SOUND DESIGN
Sound design is the essence behind all great shows. From the pre-show music, to undertone music, to pivotal music and featured songs of a musical and the energy of a curtain call, the music created and selected is as important as the any other design. Sound design is by far my favorite category of any show. However, bad design or simple things as a poor microphone mix or feedback can ruin an extraordinary show as much as a bad actor or poor lighting. I like to say that " a violin played correctly can be the most beautiful instrument in the world; played poorly it is the most horrific sound in the world." The same is true for feedback and interference.
Below are sound design projects in which I, with the help of a listed person, have created for specific shows in which I have written, created, and composed music for specified productions. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I have had creating.
Below are sound design projects in which I, with the help of a listed person, have created for specific shows in which I have written, created, and composed music for specified productions. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I have had creating.
MASH MACHINE
The idea of this Sound Design Project was to mash together a series of sounds and compose them into a completely different composition. Several items were used such as: Machine Gun, Jet Fly By, Hammer Drill, Scanner, Explosions, Radio Transmission, Wind through a Tunnel, Door Slam, Man Hole Cover Slamming, Sizzle on Burner, Pulsating Sweep, Train Bells, Grating Cheese, Fax Machine. the combination of sounds created an Apocalyptic Robot in rhythmic time.
| rip3_2.mp3 |
EIGHT LONG YEARS - Theme Song (Oh No, Not Them!)
UNDER CONSTRUCTIONThe idea behind the basis of this song was to create a theme song for the play that had a "catchy" melody and reminded listeners of an old prime time TV series from 60's to 70's. Once the melody was thought of I was assisted by Paul Richardson, pianist, and Andrue Sullivan, musical score. The track is entirely piano, played by Richardson.
| onnt.mp3 |
STUDIO DISCO
Studio Disco contained a mixture of one hit wonder cover songs and original compositions. The original compositions were written and recorded by myself and Andrue Sullivan. Below are a few of the original songs, performed in July/August 2008 at the Jonesboro Dinner Theatre in Jonesboro. Attached is a medley of the original instrumental track samples that were featured in the show to get a feel of the rhythm created. Sounds were created in Garage Band and on a recording board. I am very proud of the 70s Disco vibe created.
| sd_medley.mp3 |
LIFE AND FIRE - Rock Musical
Life and Fire is based on a concept cd called "Waiting On Alcatraz" that my friend, Gary Swift, and I created with our band "Primal Apathy" ten years ago. The music tells the story of a fictitious town called Terrorville and the life a young man named Zoltan Betts. The lyrics were written by Swift and I as well as the music that also included Bill Wood, Jeff Brown, Chuck Gatlin, and Anthony Childress. The story has taken several steps in development and, influenced by Tommy, is considered a rock opera. The show is scheduled to be performed for the first time in Spring 2011. The original music was
| primweb.mp3 |
| hnsne_edit.mp3 |
| tpt_edit.mp3 |
BURIAL AT THEBES
Thebes was performed ? in the Fowler Center at Arkansas State University. The idea behind Thebes was to create a pre-show that would set the mood for the opening scene of the play. The director asked that the music stay "tribal" with percussion but preferred it not sound like a drum-line or marching band. It needed to build an intensity that described the anguish and pain Antigone felt was she entered. The stage was designed to have an industrial appearance of steel columns and metal as opposed to marble. My idea was to created tensions and battles of the seven gates during the War Against Thebes (Seven Against Thebes). With multiple combinations I sampled bits of chanting monks, asian female song set to ambience effects, flutes, thunder (representing Zeus), horses, marching soldiers, sword clashing, scraping metal, and various drum styles for each gate. For Antigone's entrance, I chose a low mourning musical tone. The music was a success. I received many requests for copies of the music. Overall, the director was pleased and the music, costumes, and set complemented each other throughout. Thebes Medley 3 are samples of the opening to Gate 4; Thebes Medley 2 are gates 5 through 7.
| thebes_medley_3.mp3 |
| thebes_medley2.mp3 |
NICE PEOPLE DANCING TO GOOD COUNTRY MUSIC - Theme Song
The show was my second sound design for a production at Arkansas State University's Theatre Department. The show was presented in November 2010. The idea of designing sound for Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music was to create a story during the pre-show and intermission which described the characters that would be featured in each act. In addition, I chose to write and record a theme song to be played as the last musical piece of the pres-show going into the blackout. The script called for specific songs to be sampled at specific times but and addtional design was added. As design, the story took place outside and on top of a bar. Therefore in between the tracks heard as the door opened, music was continuously played that was heard as a low rumble and thumping so that it was not evident what was being heard but that it was behind walls. For pre-show, I wanted the music to take you across the country to the state of Texas where you would meet a certain type of man. In the life of these men who are living out their dream as motorcycle riders, beer drinkers, and renegades, audience members would receive and understanding of who they were. Songs selected consisted of I've Been Everywhere" (Johnny Cash), "What I Like About Texas" (?), "I Like Beer (Tom T. Hall), "Good Ole Boys" (Waylon Jennings), ?. The intermission featured the women in their lives as well as the relationship they have for each other, as they grow apart and serve more as partners instead of lovers. Songs chosen were "Don't Come Home A Drink'in" (Loretta Lynn),
The theme song was named after the title of the show. The idea of it was to create a catchy tune that people would sing to themselves without realizing it but was a pleasant song describing the bar and the people they chose to attract. The sample of the song is below.
The theme song was named after the title of the show. The idea of it was to create a catchy tune that people would sing to themselves without realizing it but was a pleasant song describing the bar and the people they chose to attract. The sample of the song is below.
| theme_song2.m4a |
