Abstract
CAR T-cells is an innovative drama documentary largely funded by Warner Brothers UK and University College, London. Set in the near future it takes a novel approach to framing the world-leading research into CAR T-cell therapy at University College, London through proleptic dramatic scenes where the remarkable benefits of CAR T-cell therapy have become common place.
Through a process of enquiry the music for the film makes several innovative advances. Film music typically falls into diegetic or non-diegetic forms or slight variations of these. Personal diegetic music – music experienced in the head of a protagonist – is much rarer. Critically exploring the temporal framework of CAR T-cells the musical composition takes a new approach by combining the personal diegetic and non-diegetic forms in a novel synthesis.
This is reinforced by a second innovation with the first application of Interchords in film music. Interchords are an entirely novel form of harmonic construction. Tonal harmony is largely thirds-based while world-music and non–tonal music typically deploy harmony derived from modes or rows. Where harmonies have been created using interval patterns, these have involved regular, repeating patterns such as Bartok's harmonic experiments as elucidated by Landvai (1971).
Interchords take an entirely new approach. The intervals in Interchords are generated in one of two ways: 1) intervals which expand successively by a semitone, e.g. minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth etc. 2) intervals which reduce successively by a semitone, e.g major 6th, minor 6th, perfect 5th, augmented 4th, perfect 4th etc.
Interchords have a clear tonal centre, relate to the harmonic series, but are more complex with additional 'logical dissonance' to add complexity without being atonal.
Through a process of enquiry the music for the film makes several innovative advances. Film music typically falls into diegetic or non-diegetic forms or slight variations of these. Personal diegetic music – music experienced in the head of a protagonist – is much rarer. Critically exploring the temporal framework of CAR T-cells the musical composition takes a new approach by combining the personal diegetic and non-diegetic forms in a novel synthesis.
This is reinforced by a second innovation with the first application of Interchords in film music. Interchords are an entirely novel form of harmonic construction. Tonal harmony is largely thirds-based while world-music and non–tonal music typically deploy harmony derived from modes or rows. Where harmonies have been created using interval patterns, these have involved regular, repeating patterns such as Bartok's harmonic experiments as elucidated by Landvai (1971).
Interchords take an entirely new approach. The intervals in Interchords are generated in one of two ways: 1) intervals which expand successively by a semitone, e.g. minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth etc. 2) intervals which reduce successively by a semitone, e.g major 6th, minor 6th, perfect 5th, augmented 4th, perfect 4th etc.
Interchords have a clear tonal centre, relate to the harmonic series, but are more complex with additional 'logical dissonance' to add complexity without being atonal.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Media of output | Film |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - May 2022 |