Admin Post: March 2020 Challenge: Soundtrack

[dawn_felagund]

What would a movie be without its soundtrack? Music can make or break a scene, intensify the emotions we feel and give us a sense of the danger, confusion, triumph or grief the character experiences. Many of us love to listen to the soundtrack of a beloved film on its own to recall our favourite scenes before our mind’s eye, use the mood of a song to inspire us in our writing, or just enjoy the music.

While usually the scenes are filmed first and the soundtrack is composed later, this month we want to challenge you to create (or continue) a story after listening to one of our musical prompts. The prompts will be pieces of classical and instrumental music. Comment here or email us at moderator@silmarillionwritersguild.org to request a prompt.

In order to receive a stamp for your fanwork, your response must be posted to the archive on or before 10 April 2020. For complete challenge guidelines, see the Challenges page on our website.

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Housekeeping Notes:
2020 stamp collections are updated* and posted to your archive profiles! As always, challenge participants can get both the images and image map markup from their folder on our website, if they want to display it elsewhere. New challenge participants, look for an email from me later today with more details about your collections. If a stamp is missing from your 2020 collection, it is an error--please comment here or email me so that I can fix it.

*Stamps for completing a row or card for Crackuary will be added later today.

2019 stamps from January's "New Year's Resolution" amnesty challenge are not yet updated but are next on my list to do.

February's Crackuary challenge was a record breaker for us with 35 entries posted to the archive. Go check them out here and consider leaving a comment if you enjoy what you've read! Two special congratulations are in order: Zhie completed a full row on a card, and Lferion completed not only a full row but the entire card, which is the first time in SWG challenge history that an author has done so. Congratulations!

Comments

[grundyscribbling]

Prompt me, please! :)

[dawn_felagund]

"The Creatures of Prometheus: Overture" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6XmdsD2GKYGMiAqqrM0WON?si=CTjThZgoSVOsFa_ncbMqMA performed by the Bonn Classical Philharmonic Orchestra
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vcPkUfRAzY performed by Anima Eterna

[narya_flame]

Oh, I have to give this one a go! Could I have a prompt, please? :-) (I generally do better with instrumental pieces as inspiration, if I'm allowed to be picky 😊)

[dawn_felagund]

They are all instrumental pieces, so this is your month!

(Well, I guess some have vocals, but not pop-music style ... I'll pick one that is pure instrumental for maximum inspiration. :D)

"Secrets" by the Dallas String Quartet
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7pdz0LEeNY3XQ7QoOtPGW8?si=rt-2OiB5Sa6rw5TbsI3c1w
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgOsUsQd2eg

[narya_flame]

Oh, that's gorgeous...thank you!

[dawn_felagund]

I love this one. At least three times while building this challenge, this song would shuffle on my Spotify playlist, and I would think, "Oh! I need to add this for the Soundtrack challenge!" and go on the list and find it was already there. XD

[starspray]

I would like a prompt, please!

[oloriel]

Here you go:

“The Swan of Tuonela” by Jean Sibelius, performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1AW2b6VM2W8ibiBYdn67kf
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjyLWoJvtME

[hhimring]

Could I have a prompt, please?

[oloriel]

You certainly can! :)

"Hamamda İlk Gözyaşları" by Can Atilla
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4ckkOOSM4LmBGeEfj2vbgj?si=WpMVJfeHSb-JFTXlGDNRqA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0VcIvyL4_Y

[hhimring]

Oh, lovely!
Thank you very much!

[nienna324]

I would love a prompt. Thanks!

[oloriel]

Here you go!

“Storm” by Craig Armstrong (from Elizabeth - The Golden Age)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/30LxIivjpr8F4l4FncGGAu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obou3dda3EQ

[lilith_lessfair]

Prompt, please.

[oloriel]

How about this one?

“Neodämmerung” by Don Davis (from The Matrix Revolutions)
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/2CVEOhlCKnvj9W8JaOIHee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjFDLGhtGIk

[lilith_lessfair]

Neo-Wagnerian, how appropriate.

[oloriel]

Glad it works for you! :)

[lilith_lessfair]

Very well. Thank you.

[independence1776]

Non-classical instrumental music is a weakness. (The "epic" genre on YouTube and stuff like Two Steps From Hell is love. I am not the world's biggest fan of classic classical.) Sadly, I have enough on my plate that I can't participate. ...Unless you're willing to give me a prompt in the understanding it'll be used for the Star Wars fic exchange I just got my assignment for, but that's up to you. Otherwise I'll hang out here in the comments and listen to everything.

[oloriel]

My instinct would be that you can definitely request a prompt, whether or not you end up using it (and whether or not you use it for this challenge). Others (including myself) have ended up not finding the time or inspiration to use their prompts - it happens! But I'll double-check with Dawn.

[independence1776]

Thanks!

[dawn_felagund]

Gladly! :D Honestly, if it inspires any kind of creativity, I consider it a win.

As a matter of fact, one of the prompts Lyra added is Two Steps from Hell ... I've given you that one, but if you want one that would be new to you, just let me know!

“Protectors of the Earth” by Two Steps from Hell
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1YtHpYEbbfQQIyxXkdxEoW
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Q_TSNk-p4

[independence1776]

Thank you! I'd like a different one, actually; that one was used for a Doctor Who trailer a few years ago and is meshed permanently with it.

[dawn_felagund]

"First Step" by Reynah (from Interstellar)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3Lfed1NnGUhACIAmkA3xPZ?si=xLgTSY5iTCi-AQ1u9ZdFFw
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acv8deK5Rok

[independence1776]

That is gorgeous.

[zdenka]

I have a bad track record at finishing these, but a music-related challenge is too tempting. I'd like a prompt, please, and we'll see what happens. :)

[dawn_felagund]

This is an unusual interpretation of a classic. If it's too unusual (or doesn't work for any other reason!) just let me know. Good luck!

"Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: II. The Death of Aase" by Edvard Grieg, performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4HK3N5xqVguP5Sk583EazM?si=xzbr14cRSQu3P7uGK94gpg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jVPtJBJjTc

[zdenka]

Hmm. It's a cool arrangement! The problem here is that I've played this piece and I know it very well, and having it veer off in unexpected directions is a little too distracting. May I try something else? I think I'd do better with something that's either a classic/classical-sounding piece played straight or something I haven't heard before (no preference to which).

[dawn_felagund]

Okay, I think this one is original!

"Formation of Time" by Phil Larson
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3y8UxsJ90VSnKmzlB7vyIH?si=xIwUxgjLS52XiAtJUCZOSg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdUSW6MLhZs

[zdenka]

Ooh, I like it! I always appreciate pieces that do cool things with rhythm. Thanks, that should work well.

[softgraysky]

Prompt, please! I really like the sound of this challenge (if you'll forgive the pun). I'm a horrifically slow writer but music is my jam so let's try?

[dawn_felagund]

Fast, slow, all are welcome! :D And if worst comes to worst, we have an amnesty challenge each January for the challenges we never finished or otherwise missed.

“The Star Shines” by Ilan Eshkeri (from Stardust)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0XYuakmNTtyGRwcwi72Ysy
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiXemEn2J8c

Happy writing!

[softgraysky]

I hate to ask this but could I get a different prompt? I tried to channel something with that piece but I found the intonation in the violins too hard to listen to, they're just so flat. I find violins really hard to listen to in general, even world-class violinists. There seems to be a real trend lately of using a straight tone/very little vibrato and I hates it precious.

[dawn_felagund]

Oh my goodness, please no worries! Let's try this one--I'm listening to it now and there are minimal violins--and let me know if it doesn't work.

"Don't Tell Sarah" by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell (from Swiss Army Man)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0qjpwyKY5U87SLUavTKUOD?si=-mxIu3QASi6ssDNZ8QCB4g
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftdxhjISagQ

[hlinspjalda]

I can't promise to finish something, but this is my favorite form of imagination stimulant so I'd love a prompt, please.

[dawn_felagund]

Taking a prompt comes with no commitment! :D Happy writing!

“His Dark Materials” by Lorne Balfe (from His Dark Materials)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6pvrI3mB6OWCuO9cYwEwm0
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRaT0QXAxCw

[lferion]

Prompt please!

And thank you :-)

[dawn_felagund]

"The Streets of Whiterun" (from Skyrim)
Spotify (The Wild Conductor): https://open.spotify.com/track/0MUDt5EGvi0PEq0BC2HRvQ?si=b8GfcGxyQQa-tr3xFb8BjQ">
YouTube (Skyrim Soundtrack): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_34gUVqLkAo

And you're most welcome! :) Happy writing!

[heartofoshun]

I want a prompt, please.

[dawn_felagund]

I'm giving you my favorite! Which is not to say that if you hate it or it doesn't work for you, that you should feel bad about asking for another. :D

"iTMOi (in the mind of igor): Sacrifice" by Nitin Sawhney et al, performed by Tanja Tzarovska et al
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7iO9HcAP57k4XzJdA4k5Ws?si=nDssNUpYRWK2oXDLDGBE1g
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_0BLc6AwcU

[heartofoshun]

Wow! This is seriously awesome! I am not sure I am up to the task but this ought to take me there. Gorgeous. I feel honored.

Hope everything is still good for you. I guess you know that Brooklyn is the Italy of the United States with this coronavirus stuff! We are doing our best to do all the right things and be kind to one another.

[dawn_felagund]

Whenever it shuffles on my Spotify, I react similarly to a deer that hears a twig break. And then I just sit and drool on myself till it's over.

Things are pretty good here. I've been thinking of you, though unable to keep up on DW. (I will be able to catch up now. I might actually work several weeks of 8-hour days for the first time in my career.) I imagined it was bad and that you were self-isolating. Schools here closed this week: kids out on Tuesday with teachers ordered to work through next week, but by Thursday, we were given the option to work from home too. This week has been a lot of getting online learning set up, plus logistics around feeding kids, etc. Restaurants closed except carryout this week too. (Then the governor allowed carryout booze the next day lol. Vermont as fuck.) There are still not (that I know of) any cases in the Kingdom, so we're trying to get ahead of it. It all happened very fast. I was in a day long meeting with colleagues, joking about manufacturing hand sanitizer out of vodka and selling it to teachers, and a week later, schools were closed.

I'm thinking of you and hoping all is well. <3

[heartofoshun]

I hope you stay ahead of it. We knew it was inevitable the minute we heard about how bad it was in China and had spread a couple of place. Funny no one in Washington seemed to know! One day no cases in NY and the next day plenty. We're doing the best we can and with one or two early blips erring on the side of caution. Almost 50% of people hospitalized in Brooklyn are between 20 and 50--I know you and Bobby are immortal and isolated, but still do be careful!!!