Sunday, November 25, 2012
When it comes to shooting any short movie, many filmmakers make the mistake of going with stock music for their creative venture. Why work so hard to create something new, different and engaging only to have that originality waylaid by something we’ve heard before? What’s worse, stock music cannot capture what is taking place on the screen. However, a true composer, after viewing the footage, can exploit the nuances and pace of the short with original music, while escalating the tension and highlighting the suspense.
For TOO MANY PREDATORS, I had asked Chris Messineo which composer he planned on working with for the film, and he replied, “I don’t know.” Normally, that would send me into panic mode, but Chris is a true professional I trust with abandon. When others say, “I don’t know”, that means, “I have no clue,” but when Chris says it, he means, “I haven’t made my final decision yet.” Clearly, Chris had several artists to choose from, and I couldn’t wait to hear about his final choice. Today, he announced to the crew and me that rising composer Justin R. Durban will complete the score. I’m excited as hell.
Durban has over one hundred projects to his credit, and does most of his work for the production music company X-Ray Dog (http://www.x-raydogmusic.com/). You can also visit his personal site here: http://www.justindurban.com/epic/music/. To date, most of Durban’s original work has been heard in many a movie trailer, as well as short films and features, including POWERLESS (2004), STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN (2005), and the upcoming THREADS OF DESTINY (2013).
Born in Memphis and raised in Kentucky, Durban brings an open-minded approach to music that ultimately produces the perfect sound to capture any moment on film. Relying on an eclectic mix of musical genres helps him tell the movie’s story in a unique way. For instance, when listening to much of Durban’s creative work, I often hear Goth/Industrial juxtaposed with classic music, which blossoms into vibrant, resounding melodies while incorporating heavy thrusts of suspense and power. Durban’s inventiveness is completely engaging and enthralling, and I could listen to his riveting compositions for hours. However, do not think Durban is locked into any one style. As any great artist, he lets his inspiration and passion guide him, and like a screenwriter, I have no doubt he relies upon his subconscious to often lead the way.
As the crew brought TOO MANY PREDATORS to light in ways I never imagined through varied camera angles and lighting, as did our exceptional actresses with their unique and seamless interpretations of character, Durban will no doubt do the same.
Quite often, screenwriters fear what will happen to their script once the collaborative effort goes into full swing. Yet I’m glad I’ve taken a backseat to let “nature take its course,” if you will. By allowing crew, cast and composer to bring their own creativity and vision to the tale, the story has been enhanced in tremendous ways. And in but a few short weeks, I’ll have a chance to see and hear how TOO MANY PREDATORS plays out.
I have no doubt I’ll be amazed, and I hope you will be as well.