How to approach the Monday tension listing? (D160829AT)

[Paulie]

Tension Instrumentals (D160829AT) is the sort of listing that has been a challenge for many of us. What follows below is how I analyze every listing, I'm sharing to see of others think the same way and have the same questions. I break down the a la’s then find the key words in the listing. If specific time markings are provided I get more detailed. But when the four a la’s are so different from one another it becomes somewhat of a guessing game.

• “They’re looking for Tension-filled Instrumental tracks in a range of styles and tempos”
• “This company wants to hear all of the awesome Tension Instrumentals you have, so instrumentals that range from more sparse to driving and intense could work.”
  
• “They’re also open to both orchestral and electronic elements by themselves, or a hybrid of the two.”

Key listing phrase: "Build your Cue around a simple, central melodic theme that’s engaging and tense, while being able to easily sit behind the dialog or voiceover. Add and subtract layers of instruments as your Cue progresses to keep it from sounding too repetitive or linear.” (We see this in almost all of the listings, and the general rule of thumb is that the listing description takes precedence over the a la’s.)

Here’s a quick analysis of the four a la’s.

• “Main Theme” from Mr. Robot
  Eight-minute track, pulsing minimalist electronic, 135 bpm. Toggles between C major triad and Bb7 chord. Builds a pulsing eighth note synth bass for the first 40 seconds with a gritty/distorted synth theme. Each section starts soft and then expands to a loud pulse, Half-time drum groove that crescendos to edit points/stops. Some noise swells and low-pass filter sweeps over the synths in later sections. Sequenced electronic/computer sounding melody elements. Pretty much the same formula for all eight minutes. Summary: Minimalist Electronic
   
• Casino Royale (0:00-0:20)
  Twenty-second example. 170 bpm, Orchestral music, eighth note string riffs and horn section swells, ensemble hits, percussion pulses and hits, very energetic and suspenseful. Mainly in E minor (i), some nice b6 and #4 leading tones to the occasional B7 (V chord). Summary: Hybrid Orchestral
   
• “No Time For Caution” from Interstellar
  A stereotypical Hams Zimmer cue from the great Interstellar soundtrack. Four minute cue. Long synth pad sustained intro on A then B, toggles between A minor and E minor (from iv to i). Percussion enters around 23 seconds, quarter note metal hits with a clock ticking pulse. String patterns enter around 45 seconds: basses playing 16th notes, upper strings playing 8ths and quarters. synth pads remain underneath. Around the two minute mark another 8th note pattern enters, followed by low brass and string long note themes. Now you can feel that this is a slow 3/4 tempo. Gets much more complex in the last third, the whole cue builds over time to an epic ending. First two minutes are minimalist, second half turns into hybrid orchestral. Summary: Hybrid Orchestral Trailer
   
• Blindspot (0:27-1:01)
  I’ve seen this a la used often in listings. Minimalist underscore tension. 100 bpm, starts with a drone low synth on a B. 16th note pluck synth in the background, first just on B, then between B and A#, then switches between D# and D. Synth pads slightly crescendo then the gun shot ends this a la. Summary: Subtle Electronic/Sparse Tension

So… what will the screener(s) be listening for? I’ve got 30+ tension returns that could fit this listing based on what I read. Do I send in a half dozen educated guesses since “instrumentals that range from more sparse to driving and intense could work.” Remember, “They’re looking for Tension-filled Instrumental tracks in a range of styles and tempos.” This tells me there is no specific scene or mood that needs to be match and this listing will come down to mix quality, tension level, and staying out of the way of potential dialog.

Good luck everyone!

TENSION INSTRUMENTALS needed by a very successful Music Library with a really long track record of placements in TV, Films, and Commercials. They’re looking for Tension-filled Instrumental tracks in a range of styles and tempos. Please listen to these references to get an idea of the braod range of styles that could appeal to them:
 
“Main Theme” from Mr. Robot
 
Casino Royale (0:00-0:20)
 
“No Time For Caution” from Interstellar
 
Blindspot (0:27-1:01)
 
This company wants to hear all of the awesome Tension Instrumentals you have, so instrumentals that range from more sparse to driving and intense could work. They’re also open to both orchestral and electronic elements by themselves, or a hybrid of the two. Build your Cue around a simple, central melodic theme that’s engaging and tense, while being able to easily sit behind the dialog or voiceover. Add and subtract layers of instruments as your Cue progresses to keep it from sounding too repetitive or linear.
 
All submissions should be at least 60 Seconds to 2 Minutes long with non-faded endings. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced tracks in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal. Sync fees will be negotiated on a Deal-By-Deal basis. The Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share, and you’ll get 100% of the Writer’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to pitch for this opportunity. Since this is an EXCLUSIVE deal, please be sure the material you submit to this pitch is NOT already signed with any other Libraries or Publishers. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis - No full critiques. Please submit one to three Instrumentals online or per CD no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Monday, August 29th. TAXI #D160829AT

[Russell Landwehr]

so... what did you decide?

[Sunset]

Paul,

I think you answered your own question.. to me , this listing leaves a wide berth , and you have many different kinds of this cue....

So I'd submit your best couple in different styles ( minimal,Hans,etc).. after all...the listing says it's for a library.. (and they may be looking for a lot of different tension cues in the different "a-la's" that you mention)

I'd send several in!!!!

JD