Well, you’ve no doubt noticed that we haven’t been spouting off too
much about our work over the last six months of this new look
newsletter.
Yep, we’re still doing jobs, covering TV series (My Business for Seven);
doco’s on elephants in Indonesia to camels in the outback; commercials
for kids toys, lots of ABC promos, and Main Event promos.
We also got the call to provide a jingle in hurry, the process of which
I thought would make interesting reading!! So here we go…
As usual, Geoff and I were lounging around the office. “It’s your turn
to do the dishes” Geoff says. Thankfully, the phone rings before this
conversation can go any further.
It’s client X, in need of a jingle. OK, client X is Infobreak, and they
need a jingle for a new advertorial style segment they’re producing.
Someone new has been brought on board and they think a jingle is the way
to go. So we get a brief, and some musical examples of what NOT to do.
‘Light, uplifting and happy’ are the three words that jump out to us
when briefed. Geoff and I have always worked this way. We can pick out a
couple of words from the brief and that tend to steer our direction.
This has held us in good stead for TV themes as well…’Hot Chips’ on ABC
was: ‘a moody, melodic journey’, while a jingle for Schwarzkopf was
‘swampy’.
So, first up, we find a drum loop that we think is uplifting.
click the play arrow to hear the drum loop
Then, we
programmed the drums and bass.
click the play arrow to hear the
drum and bass
This then gives us an idea for a vocal top – which had to be 2.5
seconds, and using the lyrics ‘in the know’. We did this as a vocal only, then went into the ‘band’ for the remaining
27 seconds. Using just rhythm instruments, as we didn’t want anything
melodic getting in the way of what would be a very full script.
The brass gives some highlights and accents for cutting.
We submitted the demo – using the wonderful vocal talents of your truly!
glenn's first demo (no laughing!!)
Then we wait for the call. And wait. And wait! Wasn’t this thing due
yesterday?!?! Ah well, that’s show biz. Then we get the call. Fortunately
it’s the one all muso’s love getting ("the beer’s arrived" – just
kidding). The clients nearly love it. Give us more energy at the top.
The music sits well with the vision edit, it’s just the opening.
So how do we translate ‘energy’ into music? Well, energy equals power.
So we beef up the opening. Remember, it was just vocal, so we build it
up with drum accents, bass and guitar, which highlight the vocal melody.
This is also changed slightly to reflect the new energy.
Now, for some reason that alludes me, they didn’t want to go with my
vocal! What the? What do you think?
glenn's second demo (you can stop laughing now!)
Something girly is called for, and Geoff once again refuses. Not wearing
the right frock apparently! So we make
some calls, book a singer and a couple of hours later a new mix is
uploaded. Various mixes are done, covering a ‘doughnut’ (top and tail
vocal only – you know, it has a hole in the middle!), top, tail, no
vocal and some stings.
the final mixed version
Happy ending all round. Look out for ‘in the know’ on your screen soon.