"At its core, “Crescendo In” is meant to be an entertaining and thrilling short film while also
creating a character study on a band whose relationship is tumultuous, to say the least. As
both a filmmaker and musician, I have found that sound and music can create such an
emotional effect in immersing an audience into the craft and inviting them into the world of
these characters. The subject of sound and music couldn’t be more prevalent in this short
film. From the lead characters in the film being involved in a band, to the evil beings only
being able to communicate through music. I hope that the audience of this particular project
will be able to distinguish and appreciate the use of music and sound in this film as it is one of
the many elements of filmmaking that is often not acknowledged.
Despite the film using horror conventions and a supernatural threat the story primarily
focuses on the relationship between these band members. Some other movies have explored
this relationship, but most focus on bands who come to find success and are having their
stories told through an uplifting biopic. Very rarely is it that we see a band fail within movies.
There are a few examples of films that focus on small touring bands, merely trying to get by
with playing their music. I’ve been fortunate enough to have met and worked with talented
musicians who have lent their insight and musical abilities to this project.
Having spent years in and out of musical projects and hearing stories from people I know,
playing music within a unit or ensemble can be tough, especially when some of the people
that are in bands have an ego that fills the room. This story aims to exploit gaslighting
tendencies as well as examine how undermining a creative voice can hurt the relationships
between those involved in such a collective or partnership. Our main character, Claire has the
potential for greatness but is held back by a physical and emotional vulnerability that her
bandmates use to pigeonhole her into a certain, minor position. The ending of the film, while
dark, has a hint of heroism and vengeance, as Claire finally achieves independence and finds
her voice as an artist."