Looking For Orchestral Composer - The Mirror of Malevolence: Dark Fantasy Puppet Film
ABOUT THE MIRROR OF MALEVOLENCE:
The Mirror of Malevolence is a dark fantasy adventure series told entirely with marionettes and shadow puppetry. In the town of Dreary, where no happy wish ever endured, twelve-year-old orphan, Henry Button, seeks to escape his wicked foster mother. This film has played in festivals and won 5 awards for Audience Choice, Best Visual Effects, Best Talent, Best Animated Film, and Best Visionaries.
The Mirror of Malevolence: Chapter One - The Dreary Orphanage, is the opening pilot adapted from my upcoming middle-grade fantasy novel. When a runaway orphan’s wish dims, his bitterness feeds life to a sinister reflection. In an attempt to restore his hope, the rebellious flaerie tasked with guiding his fractured wish, unveils corruption within her magical realm, linking them to confront the dark force that threatens their worlds. Step into the haunting world of malevolence.
The Mirror of Malevolence is thematically and stylistically similar to Coraline, Harry Potter, Annie, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and The Dark Crystal, with elements of whimsy and horror.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Before I release the short online, I wanted to explore options for an alternate cut with an original score.
Instructions/Deadline: Thu, Oct 22, 2026 12:00AM EDT
Please include your portfolio and/or piece of music reminiscent of the story's spirit.
Please submit your work to the casting page here;
The Mirror of Malevolence: Dark Fantasy Puppet Film (Chapter One) | Casting Call Club
PAYMENT RATE; $100 starting rate per minute of finished music. (Rate has been updated to better compensate the work involved.)
Info: The full film is 13 minutes. Aprox. 10-12 minutes require music. My budget for the entire composition would be up to $1500. We can negotiate price if I reach out for interest.
Payment: Paypal, Cashapp.
Country: USA
Overall Musical Style:
I am looking for something timeless, but not too subdued or digital sounding. My idea for the music is something twinkly, whimsical, dreamy, and haunting, played in orchestral and lullaby-esque styles. Here’s two motifs that are present through the story.
Main Theme/Mirror Theme:
Beautiful, Entrancing, Dramatic, Horrific. I like the idea of the Mirror as the main theme and title.
Think of Dracula (1979) The opening theme is super dramatic but plays in softer variations throughout the film. Swan Lake’s theme is beautiful and entrancing but grows gothic/horrific as it builds to the Black Swan. The Mirror in tone is much the same, a beautifully eerie presence, pulling one’s darker desires. I imagine the allure of it similar to when Frodo is tempted by the One Ring. An eerily romantic tragic theme which grows bolder and more classically-horror driven in dramatic moments.
- Music references:
Dracula (1979) by John Williams – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkAUJkbhd-RhCKviO4EZLrPLWMg65KyXT&si=XC2wdflx88LRLFdK
Main Title and Storm Sequence
Night Journeys
The Love Scene
End Titles
Swan Lake by Pyotr Tchaikovskey –
Swan Lake (Ballet Suite), Op. 20: I. Scene (Swan Theme) https://youtu.be/7L8Cpl6U9-A?si=-tyN0MOd32m6UnwY
The Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore – The one ring theme
The One Ring Theme
Henry’s Theme:
Wistful, Lonely, Twinkly. A feeling of youthful wonder like a soft lullaby tune of longing dreams.
It could be interesting in fitting moments to have an undertone of darkness or connection to The Mirror theme, similar to how Anakin’s Theme briefly bridges into Darth Vader’s theme, when his anger lashes out.
Music references:
Home Alone by John Williams - Somewhere in my memory - John Williams (Home alone soundtrack)
Somewhere in My Memory
Hook by John Williams - When You're Alone ((From "Hook" Soundtrack))
When You’re Alone
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by John Williams - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVYyjhfI93m15MKBbUNB6BH0QiRY--LhC&si=u1-00mw2bf32erMW
Family Portrait
Lonely First Night
Leaving Hogwarts
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace by John Williams – Anakin's Theme
Anakin’s Theme
Coraline by Bruno Coulais - Dreaming- Coraline Soundtrack
Dreaming
Alone Alone- Coraline Soundtrack