Fantascapes

Here is a massive project I’ve started, to be an ongoing side project. Other than The Hollow and another indie film (more on that later), and other than the various “serious” or “academic” or “publishable” compositions, I will be working on Fantascapes.

Let me give a little introduction to the project. Originally, I was going to do a five-movement symphony of orchestral tone poems, evoking that epic film music sense. I created the title by cleverly (I think so, anyway) combining the words “fantasy landscapes”. I had this idea since about the time I left Missouri (summer ‘04). Fast forward to last week: I thought it would be cool to use some themes and ideas I’ve been “saving” since as far back as 1999 and make an epic fantasy score. Basically, an assortment of tone poems that can accompany any generic fantasy computer/video game, or even a table-top game. I think, if nothing else, I might be able to market the finished project to AD&D gamers.

I combined the two ideas into this project. Instead of a concert orchestral piece that would never be played anyway, I’m going for top-quality digital orchestra (yeah, I know).

Sci-fi/fantasy has always been the best genre for epic, broad, imaginative sound. I mean, seriously, anything goes. I’ve had some ideas since before I even took lessons with Dr. Gooch that I knew were too fantastic to use on that stupid Kings of Lusturia score I made to a badly-written student play called Four Things I’d Like To Forget. Heh, I can think of four things I’d like to forget about working with the TSU theatre department…

Where was I? Oh yeah. So last week I came up with the idea of just making a score to nothing, and letting gamers fit it in to their campaigns however they want. I don’t personally play Advanced Dungeons & Dragons for a variety of reasons, but I’m not averse to the concept.

It’s my favorite musical genre. I get to finally use some ideas I’ve been holding for years now. I get to play with an orchestra, albeit a fake one. I get to redeem myself for the cringe-inducing score to Kings of Lusturia. I get to do whatever I want with the music. It’s a no-pressure project with no deadline. I know a buttload about fantasy film and video game music. For all these reasons, I’m looking forward to wasting my time on this ginormous feat. I’m probably going to spend months on Fantascapes (especially since it won’t be my top priority), but it’s going to be a
whole hell of a lot of fun!

On the other hand, I can only think of… maybe four people who would definitely be interested in hearing the final product (immediate family doesn’t count). I think, however, once this project is done, it would be a good time to start my own website with mp3 samples of my work. Then, optimistically, I can begin the dubious process of whoring myself out to commissioned projects…

Baby steps.