Urban Drama

Possibly the most moving recording session I’ve ever experienced was for this episode of ABC’s OFF THE MAP. 45-piece orchestra, excellent crew, and pecan pie. In this scene, lovely Sydney has finally decided to accept the life-saving donation of blood from her just-deceased fiance. (I did mention that this was a drama, right?!)
While this NBC pilot was a no-go, it sure provided a chance to write some fun music. Picture a big family winding through a rural country road in their station wagon, en route to visit their grandparents. (Of curse, this is for the happy, promising moments, prior to the familial dysfunction that will ensue.)
This piece is from ABC’s INSIDE THE BOX– a great pilot that unfortunately never made it to air. In this scene, the news reporters are racing around, gathering details as they face an imminent deadline. The intrepid reporters are following their source to his house as the pressure’s mounting… and finally, the news breaks.
While the ABC pilot for which this was composed never made it to air, I’ve always liked the mix of elements in this piece– processed cello, organic hangdrum, a little piano, some percussion and a dash of electronics. I tired to capture our heroine’s underlying darkness and energy as she navigates the big city.
Perhaps the most requested music type is “tension.” Squabbling housewives? Get the tension. Killer closing in? Tension. Time running out? Better get out the tension. So, without further ado, here is some tension for your listening pleasure. This particular piece was originally for an ABC drama pilot.
In ABC’s 2011 drama OFF THE MAP, the above track (“Pray for Maria”) plays as our heroes come across a flock of young girls wearing communion dresses– and because it’s a drama and we are in the middle of the jungle– one of them is pinned under their van and fighting for her life. The rescue operation begins, sans anesthesia. Ow.
*For a peak at us recording this piece, click on the “BONUS VIDEOS” link under MUSIC.