Domingo 6 Dic 2009, 11:06
Music, for me, is oftentimes the spark that ignites my creativity…or the slow fire over which I turn my thoughts.
I use it to help me build worlds in my imagination, concentrate thoughts into ideas, and shape ideas into reality.
Recently, I was given my final assignment for a writing class. I will be using what limited writing talent I have to compose a Treatment for a potential screenplay. (A Treatment can be described as an extremely-shortened version of a script.)
I've already settled on my story idea. Don't laugh…
I want to write a zombie story.
But…instead of a gory action/horror in which a character wields might and wit against an outside force, I want to create a story that focuses on the emotional changes people undergo in a situation that overwhelms them. Drama.
Here's where you come in:
I'm asking you Last.fm'ers and some of my other friends to help me develop a soundscape for the story. I want to pool together a collection of songs that tell each scene (as you envision it) through the emotional thrall of music.
I've wanted to do this for some time–to see what happens when a group of ideas from separate people come together to form a whole. And to see it done in such a way that uniquely expresses each friend’s tastes and personality.
As I reach certain phases in the story, I’ll send one or two of you a shout or message with a short description or a story segment. It'll be your choice for the song selection.
Here's an example:
Scene:
“They woke up on the rooftop to the warm glow of sunlight washing across their skin.
Michael sat up and quietly began to repack his bag as Adam leaned forward sleepily and stared in the space in front of him; they both were careful not to wake up his little brother who slept on. Michael paused from his packing and stared at Adam, then followed Adam’s gaze across the rooftops in front of them and was stunned into silence. Everything was so still—so quiet. The sun was still low in the azure sky, but its angle was just right to turn the rooftops in front of them into little islands of color, splashed with the shine of chrome and aluminum air-ducts.
He stared at the strangely peaceful sight until a stiff gust of wind carrying the thin odor of smoke broke his trance. The chaos they had escaped from the night before wasn’t so far away.
He broke his gaze from the rooftops, turned, and carefully scooped up Caleb.
But as he shouldered the little boy onto his back, he turned once again towards the other rooftops and faced the sun. If a day could shine like this—despite the grim horror of what they had faced the night before—despite what still lies ahead after leaving this rooftop—he knew…they were going to make it."
Song Idea: