rdcraig

[rdcraig]

Project Research Proposal

I would like to compose and perform a new score for an immersive screening of Victor Sjöström’s 1924 film, He who gets slapped. The film stars Lon Chaney as He, a clown who whose circus act is being slapped in the face. Hordes of disturbing whiteface clowns dominate many of the stunning visuals that exploit the black and white film stock. The editing is highly experimental, employing many contemporary effects so well, they have gained an unearthliness in a modern viewing that contributes to their respective scenes significantly. The film is therefore well-suited for a modern, more experimental score, rather than the original classical style score. It also entered the public domain in 2020, making it markedly simpler to arrange exhibition.

Other musicians have performed their own compositions for old silent films, typically from the German Expressionist era. The band, The Tiger Lillies, for example, recently performed a new soundtrack for Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920). In 2007, the band Goldfrapp performed a live soundtrack for He who Gets Slapped with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Bristol’s Colston Hall.

However, these performances maintain the silent film dynamic of deaf cinema. I propose also contributing foley and allusions to diegetic sound, in order to create a more immersive viewing experience. By using surround sound to digitally recreate the diegesis, the audience are placed within the action. This could be strengthened substantially through the use of a thematically decorated exhibition space, as has been successful with London’s Secret Cinema and other immersive film events. I would digitally compose and arrange a full soundtrack to be played with the film and then perform additional musical elements live as the film and soundtrack play. 

This project would facilitate research into both film scoring and performative sound art. I would be able to build upon on the research I previously completed in my dissertation on folk music and culture in horror films. This project would also facilitate further experimentation and innovation for my career as a performing musician.

[rdcraig]

A score I composed and recorded for the opening scene of the German Expressionist film, Von Morgens Bis Mitternachts. All performed by myself on an old autoharp manipulated digitally.

[rdcraig]

My arrangement of two traditional folk tunes, self-recorded and performed by myself on fiddle, shruti box, suitcase and foot-tamborine.

[rdcraig]

Port Puta - Richard Craig (The Dillyboys)

Original composition and arrangement of mine, violin performed by myself.