Micro Commissions

Commission #19

Live ambient vocal score to silent film

The Idea

To produce a live ambient vocal score to the documentary film Secrets of Nature. This would be achieved by either editing the original footage or VJing two copies of the film to create a new audio/visual narrative. The score would be performed live with part recorded and part live sound using a range technology including an Effects Board, Loop Pedals and Kaoss Pad Samplers. All the sounds would be made by using just the voice

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Profile

Jason Singh

Jason Singh is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates and facilitates work through the mediums of sound, music, photography, poetry and moving image.

Jason's work is rooted in inspiring people to engage in exciting creative experiences, through performance and participation.

As well as having a solo career as a Human Beatboxer/Vocal Sculptor he also works with organisations to further develop Beatboxing/Vocal Sculpting as an art form of free expression. Being a keen musical collaborator he has performed alongside musicians and composers Nitin Sawhney, Susheela Raman, Soumik Datta, Seb Rochford (Polar Bear/Acoustic Ladyland), The Safires, Shivamani, Matthew Halsall, Marco Fadda, and Stuart McCallum (Cinematic Orchestra).

Jason also composes music for theatre, experimental film and facilitates sound and music workshops to young people and adults. These include Beatboxing, DJ, Music Therapy, Experimental Sound and Music Production.

Jason is a collaborative partner in a variety of projects across a range of creative disciplines including sound, music, dance, theatre and textiles and as well as completing artistic residencies in the UK, India and Australia, he is also an advocate for the Sing Up programme and associate lecturer at the Manchester Metropolitan University.

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The process

Since the intial proposal, the film to which Jason is composing a soundtrack has changed to Drifters, a 1920s documentary by John Grierson. John Grierson was an instrumental Scottish documentary filmmaker, often considered the father of British documentary. Premiering in London alongside Battleship Potemkin in 1929, Drifters follows North Sea herring fisherman through their dramatic daily routines.

“If you can tell me a story with a better crescendo in energies, images, atmospherics and all that make up the sum and substance of cinema, I promise you I shall make my next film of forthwith.” John Grierson

On top of composing the soundtrack and doing a technical run down of the film, Jason is working on a “making of” documentary to give you some idea of how it all comes together.

In the meantime, whet your appetite with this short interview with Jason Singh, including a small sample of what you can expect on Sunday!

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The Result

Drifters with live musical accompaniment

The performance of Drifters accompanied by Jason's performance will take place at Cornerhouse on Sun 6 Nov 2011, 16:30.