Presenter: Nathan Engelmann
Faculty Mentor: Robert Kyr
Presentation Type: Creative Work 4 (GSH 114)
Primary Research Area: Fine/Performance Arts
Major: Music Composition
To risk one’s life for the sake of thrill seeking takes an extraordinary type of person. The short film Follow Your Fears features one such person, BMX rider Brad O’ Neal, as he tries to execute a motorbike stunt that has never been attempted before. The film follows O’Neal in his preparations for the stunt, the complexities of which mirror the idiosyncrasies of his own personality and past. As I composed a re-score for this film, it was my goal not only to encapsulate the literal action and images on the screen, but to delve into the psychology of O’Neal as well. In my score, I explore O’ Neal’s fear, sense of humor, and spirituality, focusing on how these personality traits correspond with the structure of the film. To do this, I use various musical elements. Through orchestration and instrumentation, I encapsulate the colors and images of the film. Harmony, along with orchestration, are used to emphasize the emotional weight of the narration, As the narrative of the film develops, so do the musical motives. These motives (small, musical segments) relate to the themes of the film, and metamorphose as O’Neal works toward his goal.