Stanley Kubrick had two filmmaking commandments. The first commandment was (paraphrasing): that everything had been done before, but it was his responsibility to do things better.
The other commandment Kubrick called the "economy of statement." In Kubrick's mind, every scene, sequence, or composition had to be broken down into its most basic elements first. Then, he would stage/block the sequence that would best explain his intent. Now, Kubrick started off as a photographer. In his creative mind, he saw everything visually first, through the lens, through exposure. Everything was framed.
It was critical for him to economically state the intent of every scene, sequence, and composition.
He was obsessive about the economy of statement and the following "teaser" trailer for "The Shining" (1980) perfectly reflects his second commandment.
Over black.
The ominous score/music of Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind kicks-in.
Long shot. Hallway. Twin red, elevator-doors. A chandelier splits the doors. Twin couchs symmetrically positioned. Two paintings symmetrical. The twin motif has been carried over from the two dead twin girls that was see earlier in the film. From Jack Torrance's dual-personality.
The credits, starting with the title "The Shining" in white text, scroll-up.
The music swells. There is a distorted noise. It sounds like a swarm of locusts. A plague of ghosts.
The credits continue their upward climb. This suggests that the elevators may be rising in the shafts. Is something coming?
The music is louder. The distortions are more frequent. Menacing.
Finally, when the credit "Directed By Stanley Kubrick" is just about to cross the top part of the frame and the chandelier, an unknown liquid pours out of the left-elevator door.
It is blood.
The blood flows profusely down the hallway. It splatters against the walls.
The music reaches a fever pitch.
The blood collides with the camera.
The blood drips down the camera. It acts as a filter. The image is now distorted. Congealed.
The couch floats aimlessly in the river of blood.
The title once again appears.
The score has reached its zenith.
Quick cut to a paperback cover of the novel.
Redrum.
REDrum.
RedRUM.
REDRUM.
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3 comments:
Wendy Carlos also (I'm almost 100% on this) did the score for Tron. Fabulous work. One of my favorite films as a kid.
Andrew, you are right. Not only did Wendy Carlos compose "Tron" (1982), but she also did "Tron 2.0", the video game! She was a great innovator in synthesized music, but she was formally Walter Carlos, before her sex change op in 1972!
Haha, is that true? Any other musical contributors to film that have switched teams?
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