Design by Music

When I start to design a film, especially a period one, I think it is very important to get an idea of what the characters would be listening to as they move about in the story.  Who has not been able to define a period in their life by a particular song or album.  I don't think I would have gotten through my first year of grad school without crooning Tori Amos's Little Earthquakes over and over while drawing all night.

Music to me has a color and reveals the spirit of the time.  Does one of the characters have a song that would be playing on the car radio that defines emotionally what he or she is going through?  I usually put together my own soundtrack that I listen to while I'm prepping.  It plays while I'm shopping, drawing or just sitting at my desk doing breakdowns.  For me, it tells the film's story through songs and becomes part of my subconscious.  I usually make my crew copies of my "album"- although I sometime suspect they are just humoring me when they say they listen to it.

This was my soundtrack for Love Ranch, all hits from the end of 1975 and beginning of 1976.

1. Sister Golden Hair, America

2. Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry

3. (Don't Fear) The Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult

4. I Only Want To Be With You, Bay City Rollers

5. The Hustle, Van McCoy

6. Never Can Say Goodbye, Gloria Gaynor

7. Wildfire, Michael Murphey

8. Get Down Tonight, KC & The Sunshine Band

9. Disco Inferno, The Trammps

10. Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, B.J. Thomas

11. Bungle In The Jungle, Jethro Tull

12. Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon

13. Pick Up The Pieces, Average White Band

14. Could It Be Magic, Donna Summer