Names Is For Tombstones
In 2008 I paired up with an animation student and we created a short film called “Names Is For Tombstones.” In the end, the music didn’t line up entirely how I intended it to, and I there are things I wouldn’t be so literal about were I to do it again, but there still some hip moments in the animation and, if you don’t mind me saying so, the music.
It’s an odd story, as you’ll see, and Tim Burton-esque. I went with that vibe and wrote some Danny Elfman-esque creepy music, but I didn’t attempt any of his more complicated marches or up-tempo compositions.
The high tremolo strings w/ bells and underlying, unsettling bass that start around 1:38 seem to fit the conclusion of the animation. I think it would have worked better to start off with something quicker and unsettling like that as well – rather than the “creepy-but-curious” music I wrote for the opening camera pan.
The video is about 4 seconds behind where I intended it to me, so the hits are off. But the delay actually makes some new hits that are also appropriate.
See what you think. Leave a comment if you have thoughts.
Hi David,
Found your wonderful website while cruising in search of music for my drama course with primary school students. Might you consider sharing some of these tracks in a form I could integrate into our show? I am particularly interested in “Walking Music” and “Names is for Tombstones”. I teach grade 6, and I’m coordinating a Remembrance Day service for grades 1 to 8. I would like to adapt the story of the mouse, “Sheila Rae, The Brave” by Keven Henkes to create a piece that our youngest students could understand. The main character imagines herself to be very brave, but finds out that she really isn’t. Her sister mouse rescues her when she gets lost. So, the idea is to use the story as an introduction to the concept of courage which comes from caring for those you love. I typically look for a series of tracks that I can download and mix into a master disk which becomes the soundscape for our assembly. No admission is charged. The service takes place during school hours. We would be happy to acknowledge the composer. I rather liked “Walking” since the title matches this year’s theme of “Shoes” and it had a very light, innocent and with a magical bounce, as well as being entirely instrumental, which would allow a storyteller to speak over at times. Part of “Names is for Tombstones” would be perfect for when Sheila Rae, our mouse heroine, gets lost in the woods. If you have any other mouse-like music, though,… or suggestions as to where I might find some … I’d be very interested. I am coordinating a number of short pieces, and I’m waiting for the other teachers who teach older grades to declare their selections, so we intend to of course broaden our scope to more than mice for Remembrance Day!!
Looking forward to your response,
Shyrna