Thomas Newman: American Beauty (1999) Cheerleading Scene
For this given scene I am going to change Newman’s piece called “Root Beer” to my own. I want to use the same instrumental elements he uses in his compositions for this film because I want my score to fit in with the film as a whole and not just in this particular scene. In American Beauty Newman’s instrumentation consists of:-
- marimba, xylophone, tablas, banjo, ukulele, detuned mandolin, steel guitar, ewi, and piano.
‘It has characteristics of new age world music, which effectively conveys the alienation that suburbia inflicts upon the film’s characters.’ (Filmtracks, 2008)
‘Signatures of Thomas Newman’s music are his use of tuned percussion, distinct melodies, and the use of piano in more sombre moments’. (A. Green, 2011)
Here is the my score to the given scene American Beauty:-
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21489514/task%206%20american%20beaut%20finished.mov
Here is the REDONE score to American Beauty:- (IS THis Better?? )
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21489514/american%20redone%20task%20six.mov
Report
The objective for this task was to create a score using percussion instruments to the given scene from American Beauty. I wanted to highlight the body movement of Angela when she’s slow dancing and use silence between shots from her to Lester to give off a tense yet erotic motion. I have taken Thomas Newman’s compositional approach of using tuned percussion instrumentation and adapted this to my own. I have applied these approaches by using tams, triangle, cymbal, timpani’s, bass drums, snare and a percussion kit.
( I had not applied any new audio or musical techniques in this task): I have applied XXXXXXXXXX
This task is an example of practice as research in that I am creatively exploring tuned percussion and how to adapt it effectively into my task. This is evident as the tuned percussion I used highlights different elements and creates build ups and an erotic tension between Angela and Lester well. I would give myself a 2.1 for this task as the use of tuned percussion instruments in this scene worked effectively and has given me pleasing results.
References
A. Green, 2011, Thomas Newman, the New York Times Company webpage found at: http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalcomposers/p/thomasnewman.htm. Last accessed on 22/03/2011.
Filmtracks, 2008, Thomas Newman, webpage found at: http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/american_beauty.html. Last accessed on 22/03/2011.
Sammy, this is good work. I am not sure though, what you added during the cheerleader section, was it a vibraphone and a drum roll? I like your take on this, using percussion but not as typically rhythmic. The report lets you down a bit as it is repetitive and you MUST learn some new audio and music technique, thnk hard ! and if needs must, go back and try and innovate on what you have. Also, a little more atmos on the perc during the sexy dance scene (more reverb or a larger room, not too much just to make it more spacey and pardon the pun ! ) well done. Fix these things and the report and you are into 1st territory !
awesome, In the cheerleading section I used a drum roll and a timpani which is following the rhythm of the brass I believe, yes i know the report is weak in this and i shall re-do/word it asap, along with reverb in dance scene. Thank u Julio