Revision [27760]
This is an old revision of EllasTheme made by BillHamilton on 2013-02-06 09:57:06.
Location: Orphanage
Background: Over the years, as he becomes more adept with his harmonica, Cole starts to create 'theme' music for each of the residents of the orphanage and hotel. The themes generally correlate to Cole's perception of that person and the person's personality. Ollie, for example, probably has fast-paced music that is a bit frantic. Nora would have something dark (think: Imperial March from Star Wars). This even starts to serve as a form of warning signal to the other kids. When another warning signal, such as crying out, might be too obvious, Cole will play Nora or Mr. French's theme to alert others of their coming. The other kids also use the themes to warn each other - but simply whistle them.
After Ella has been beaten, Cole comes to her. Though he doesn't mention the beating specifically, it's kind of obvious he's there because he wants her to feel better. To that end, he brings out his harmonica and explains about his theme music. Ella, being musically inclined, has already caught on and can even whistle/hum back some of the music for the other residents already. Cole notes that she will, of course, have to have a theme as well. He suggests that they come up with her theme song together. They then pass the harmonica back and forth working out her theme slowly. This is the first time Cole has let her play his harmonica. They don't finish in one sitting, but over time work on it until both are completely satisfied.
<#ann: I want to know what Celeste's theme sounds like. Jonah, you're musically inclined. I think you should write music for us all. #>
<#jonah: This is a fun idea, and I'd be up for trying it, but it's really Bill's thing so I'd only take it on if a) he thought it was fun, and b) he didn't want to do it. #>
<#bill: I had actually considered it...but aside from my lack of musical prowess, I lack musical instruments at my home (except for maybe a tin whistle...). I'm totally cool if Jonah wants to go ahead and do it. I actually would really like everyone to be happy with their own theme song so people could elect to do their own, if they think they're able, or Jonah can do it.
Jonah, if you want to do it go ahead. If you want to use me as a sounding board for general ideas or whatever - I'm here. But again, I think everyone should be happy with his/her own theme.
Oh, and I'm not sure Cole has a theme song...since he's the one making them up I'm not sure he'd think to make one up for himself. But it might be fun for him to have one so I think to that end perhaps Ella or someone can see that gap and fill it by either coming up with one for him or suggesting he make one up.
Jonah, is the wiki capable of holding recordings of the songs? #>
<#bill: I had actually considered it...but aside from my lack of musical prowess, I lack musical instruments at my home (except for maybe a tin whistle...). I'm totally cool if Jonah wants to go ahead and do it. I actually would really like everyone to be happy with their own theme song so people could elect to do their own, if they think they're able, or Jonah can do it.
Jonah, if you want to do it go ahead. If you want to use me as a sounding board for general ideas or whatever - I'm here. But again, I think everyone should be happy with his/her own theme.
Oh, and I'm not sure Cole has a theme song...since he's the one making them up I'm not sure he'd think to make one up for himself. But it might be fun for him to have one so I think to that end perhaps Ella or someone can see that gap and fill it by either coming up with one for him or suggesting he make one up.
Jonah, is the wiki capable of holding recordings of the songs? #>
<#jonah: Yep. #>
<#kate: Cool idea Bill, and I think you nailed Ella's response. I think she'd be very respectful of his harmonica too and treating it with care. She seems to already have some experience with the instrument (she knows how to handle it, where to blow, how to make a few rifts) although he's much better. I'll have to think of what kind of tune would be her theme. I imagine something kind of fanciful but deep at the same time. I'm doing a project in a database called Music Online so I might run across something that fits and link or at least get the name of it in here. She'd totally be game to help come up with Cole's theme too if someone else hasn't in the previous three years. #>
<#ann: I think we should let Ella come up with one. Maybe the others have tried over the years but the attempts all sucked and were quickly forgotten, especially since Cole was the one playing the songs and it never occurred to him to play his own song unless someone asked specifically. Ella's version is very good and she plays it often when he is around, so it becomes the official theme. #>
<#court: Great idea! #>
<#kate: I'm cool with all of that. I doubt Ella plays Cole's theme on a harmonica since he's the only one with one, but I bet she hums it, drums it on the wall or in other manners gets it out. I bet has kind of a parade / army march tune. #>
<#jonah: Ok, I have a theme for Celeste. I will need an event to attach it to. I would also like to know if anyone (Bill especially) has ideas about how each character's theme sounds, so that I can try to match the silly tunes in my head to the appropriate persona. #>
<#court: Bill, might Cole ask the other kids what they think about their own? If so, Jeanne definitely has an idea for hers. #>
<#bill: So, I want everyone (real people and characters) to be really happy with their themes. But I'm not sure Cole asks anyone until Ella arrives because it's not usually a situation of "i'm sitting down to compose your theme now" it just happens over time. But I don't think he's be terribly offended if he was playing what became clear was Jeanne's theme one day and she wanted to make a change or had a suggestion. The idea is that the themes "fit" the people well, which is why it's relatively easy to connect to the right person - obviously, I'm assuming he did a good job. But if it's important to you, we can make it happen.
The other things is that initially the themes are short...just a quick sequence of notes. I think that over time they grow and become longer - by the time they leave they're like full songs. (So, for example, Ollie's theme initially is fast and frantic...but as he gets older it might slow a bit and change in tenor reflecting Ollie's changing personality). She could totally sit down with him one day and talk about her song/theme as it's growing....to me that makes sense to do even after Ella's there cause she can see Ella and Cole compose together. At that point her theme (really everyone's) is still quite short so she can still have a lot of influence as to how it grows. Maybe she suggests actually adding something to the beginning of the theme to represent her life before the orphanage? Before Cole knew her?
Jonah: As far a people's themes, but I'm not sure how to articulate. Ollie's is the easiest to describe. Like I said, Ollie's would be energetic...a little frantic...probably played a little loudly. It may be easier to discuss this kind of thing in chat.#>
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