INTRODUCTION
White Picket Fence is a short drama film directed by Isabella Hutchins, premiered in April 2024. Having previously collaborated with Isabella in Turned On, she approached me to compose the score for this project, granting me considerable creative freedom with only a general directive to enhance the drama of the narrative through music.
THE WORK
Upon reviewing the locked cut of the film, I seized upon the recurring motif of vinyl player shots, using it as a thematic anchor to maintain continuous musical accompaniment throughout the entirety of the film, creating a sense of auditory immersion. However, I also sought to amplify the dramatic tension of the story while ensuring the music remained diegetic.
The film revolves around the complex relationship between Mary and John, with Mary's unsettling actions driving the narrative. Drawing inspiration from Brazilian bossa nova and jazz, I crafted a musical backdrop reminiscent of background elevator music, reflecting the serene facade of the opening scenes. As the story unfolds and Mary's obsession becomes palpable, I introduced exaggerated vinyl distortion effects and glitchy manipulations to evoke a sense of unease and reinforce the disturbing nature of her actions.
In composing the score, I developed a 6’00’’ minutes long bossa nova tune akin to a jazz standard, allowing different instruments moments of soloistic prominence. Subsequently, I sliced and repeated sections of the tune throughout the film, extending its duration to match the narrative arc. This approach not only heightened the film's dramatic and disturbing impact but also preserved its diegetic integrity, seamlessly integrating the music into the story's fabric, making everything into a cohesive and organic piece of work.
CHALLENGES
Technically speaking, the manipulation of the track with vinyl distortion presented the most significant challenge. While I possessed prior experience in electronic music, delving into the realm of live sample manipulation was uncharted territory for me. Despite initial apprehensions, I recognized that this technique held the potential to yield the organic, atmospheric result I sought to achieve in the score.
Communication posed the most significant challenge during the production process, with delays in post-production stemming from difficulties coordinating with the large team involved. Despite ongoing dialogue with the director and sound mixer, final feedback and updates on the film's progress were lacking, culminating in my absence from the premiere. While gratified by the film's completion and inclusion on IMDb, the lack of communication from the director post-delivery left room for improvement in future collaborations.
REFLECTION
Looking ahead, while I remain committed to scoring films, my focus will shift away from getting involved in many diverse film projects. Instead, I aspire to predominantly score comedy films, having found joy and creative freedom in these projects during the 2022-23 academic year. Essentially, I’ll focus in film projects that will be a good laugh. This shift reflects a desire for greater autonomy and flexibility in my creative endeavours, allowing me to fully realize my artistic vision without constraints..