I’m currently doing the score for a feature that I wrote, directed and star in. And . . . whaddayaknow . . . it’s actually . . . good?
And I’m painfully aware of how egotistical the title sounds. But I honestly couldn’t afford to pay anyone else for the time it took/takes. Im 20k in and broke, with another 5k soon going to a sound designer. Can’t skimp on that. I’m a musician (graphic artist too, hence the image) and the score is something I’m pretty proud of. It’s a thriller/psych/horror film coming in at about 2 hours and my forte was always trip/hip hop with very ethereal vibes so it kinda lends to the atmosphere the film needs. It’s working. The more foley, adr and music I add - the tighter it’s coming together and I’m starting to see it for what it ought to be. I wrote the script with music in mind so I guess I shouldnt be too surprised that it’s that transformative.
We shot on an Arri Classic with a myriad of Zeiss lenses. Had a decent sound crew but couldn’t afford to keep them on every scene. Thusly, I’m doing a LOT of foley/adr. And I’m actually decent at it. Who knew rolling your fist in a bowl of dog food sounds exactly like footsteps on gravel? And that peeling/crunching onion skin makes for great sounds of a dead person walking? Flipping beach towels sounds like bird wings?
I guess all that to say - I’m just stoked. Almost 3 years since starting the script and wow . . . what a labor and experience it’s been. Broke some bones, made a bunch of friends, bled (a lot) and even shed some well-deserved tears. I’m in love with the process, though it’s a torrid affair. I’m just glad to see it through. When I’m no longer around, it’s the art that I’ll be leaving behind. I guess I’m just happy it’s good.