Help with a couple film score scenes

I've been scoring a feature which is an 80's horror throw back. The movie is meant to be very cheesy and funny (not so much ha-ha funny). It's based in the woods where some teenagers are camping and they are hunted down by a deranged forest ranger. Anyway, i needed some help with a couple scenes, hopefully someone can suggest something.

The first scene, there's a build up to where a man and woman meet. The film makers are trying to make the audience think that the man is going to kill her or something, so there's a big crescendo leading to a stinger which is actually the guy about to hug his girlfriend. At this point he wants the music to change to happy and playful...for some reason i just can't make anything work yet. I've tried some pizzicato cello strings and some 80's bells but it looks lame. I was wondering if anyone could suggest some more suitable instruments, chords and/or styles.

The next scene i need help with is where they are both walking again through the woods, not yet aware they're being hunted and they're lost. Director wants "frustrated music"...drawing a blank on that one too!

I know it's a lot to ask, but i thought there couldn't be any harm in trying while i'm waiting for some tracks to bounce.

Thanks in advance if you can help!:)

If you're in the 80s, then why not try a nice electric organ? Or even just some jazz guitar vamping for that first happy bit. By the sounds of it, I would hesitate to put much music at all after the crescendo/stinger...would be way corny almost any way you do it unless it's just REALLY subtle underscoring. Don't underestimate the value of silence in the music track, or be afraid to discuss that with your director.

As for the second bit, why not just have some twitchy string figures or growling low brass/woodwind clusters?

You might try the mighty crescendo leading up to...soft source music from a radio playing either an actual '80s hit like something by the Human League or Boy George, or write a little pop tune in that style. Makes sense he'd put the radio on and then make a move on his girl.

Thank you both very much, they are both great ideas.

The source idea would be a great idea, although they're camping in the woods and packing up their tents, but i love the way you think-i'll definitely keep that idea in mind for later in the film, as this little cheap trick is used more than once, hahaha.

Marius, i'm going to try your ideas tomorrow. You're absolutely right about the silence, it contrasts very well with the busy lead up, and that in itself is lighthearted and playful in a way, but some subtle underscoring could work too. I'm going to try something with the electric organ you suggested.

The twitchy strings for the second part sounds like a cool idea too. I was going to try some of those classic synth strings too.

This film has been quite a challenge but really fun incorporating retro elements to the score. Thanks for your help guys!

"The source idea would be a great idea, although they're camping in the woods and packing up their tents..."

That's what batteries are for! ;) Good luck.

"The source idea would be a great idea, although they're camping in the woods and packing up their tents..."

That's what batteries are for! ;) Good luck.

lol thanks man, i know:P I left out some details in that there has been an establishing shot of entirely the whole campsite where his girl is packing up and he is returning from the woods in another shot as the cameras alternate back and forth, so there's really no chance of there being source in this shot :( BUT there's some lovely spots throughout the film for it. I'm going to write some little 80's pop songs and the music director has some well known 80's pop tunes cleared. fun fun fun

If you're interested...the first thing i was struggling with i think i figured out... what i did was i started a low bassy minor interval about the the time the crescendo starts, then switched it to major as she realizes she's safe with a slow funky sorta blues groove. i used a chilled electric organ with tremolo...seems to work :)

For your first scene, you definitely need to throw a lot of augmented chords in there. Starting on C, just go up in half-steps playing augmented triads.

The nice thing is, when they meet up, an augmented chord can resolve very nicely into a major or minor triad.

You may also want to try a major-minor chord (not sure of the technical name) - it's a minor triad with a major 7th on the outside: as my instructor puts it, it is a "classic TV show cliffhanger - is she pregnant or is she not?!"

What about some nice, slow, upward tremoloed string glissandos to the reveal? With some nice prepared piano accents throughout?

Tr

Thanks guys, you're very smart fellas. I had no idea i would get such great response. I love YC!

My director is satisfied with what i've given him, but this is still in mockup stage and i always like to have a few backups, so i've gone with some ideas from here too.

Chemical Reaper, i've been tinkering with the rising augmented chords and realize i've used this idea before which is very effective, perhaps a tad cliche, but what isn't these days :P

I think you're talking about a m/M7 as the "is she pregnant or not!" chord, which totally cracked me up! Yeah i love it!

Andy, i've got something similar going on like that up to the point of the reveal, i love that kind of stuff. As apposed to leaving silence, which i tried in one take, leaving the held harmonic could totally work. Will give it a go.

Everyone seems to be Michael Giacchino imitators these days...and for a cheesy horror i'm definitely not going to stop the trend! Giving Symphobia a run for its money!

Thanks all!

For the first part, I would definitely suggest silence after the buildup. I can't imagine it being any other way, even in a cheesy 80's horror flick. ;)

/my two cents, just in case you haven't finished it already.

Thanks Jimi, heh-yeah ended up going with silence. I'm half way through the film, on to far bigger challenges than that, but it's always the first reel that is the toughest part for me until i find my legs. Thanks for your two cents!