Survival OST!

Survival's been out for a couple of days now, and we've had some great feedback.  I hope everyone who's watched it is as impressed with Thomas' music as I am - and for those of you who want to hear it a little clearer, you can download the soundtrack for free right now!

Survival OST (11.2 MB, MP3)

Work starts properly on the next project now - more updates on that soon!

Survival: Final Update - Here It Is.

After what seems like a long time, everything's finally come together - Survival is finished.

This is a strange moment; it feels like this has taken up almost every waking moment since we started on preproduction back in June; getting everything organised has been a huge effort by everyone involved, and I can't thank those who helped us enough.  Special mention, of course, to the cast, Amy, David, and Katie, for being willing to spend a couple of days in the forest in muddy clothes, to Thomas for the awesome score (which will be available for download soon!), to my wife Sarah for all the support and suggestions, and to both our parents - Niall and Frances, Neil and Denise - who put up with all the random requests and requirements, and looked after the props and gear as it was being delivered before the shoot.

The final running time is 12' 49", according to YouTube, so if you've got 13 minutes to spare, get over there, and then share it with everyone you meet!

I hope you enjoy it!

Survival: Update #9 - Scoring

Everything's been very quiet on the site for a while; you have my apologies for that, but work is continuing! I've started on some preproduction for the next project (more on that at a later date), but the scoring process for Survival is also well under way.

As mentioned in previous posts, the music is being written and performed by Thomas Cosgrove, my brother.  He's come up with a lot of great stuff, and iterates on any feedback extremely quickly - most of the score is done now, and once we're happy that the mood is set, it should just be a matter of mixing it in around the dialogue, and then release should follow shortly.

Stay tuned!

Survival: Update #8 - Mixing it Up

Onwards and upwards, as they say.  Progress at this point is steady, but I'd forgive anyone watching for thinking it's slow; sound mixing is something I'm even newer to than editing video, so it's a learning process as much as it's a creative one.

The main thing I've learned is that I should avoid extremes when mixing stereo channels (I don't know if my software is able to do a 5.1 mix, but I have a feeling that even if it could, it'd just drive me mad).  Even stuff like fading ambient sound between shots to remove or reduce sudden changes isn't something I'd considered before I got to this stage.

Short version: I have even greater respect for audio engineers from this point.

Survival: Update #7 - Roughing It

Not many of these left to go, I imagine - because... [drumroll] the first rough cut is done! It's been rendered out to a single file, and watched while sitting on a sofa in front of a TV, instead of an office chair in front of a PC.

There's still some work to do - a couple of frames to shave here and there, some sound effects to add, and a fair bit of work on the mix - but overall, I'm so far extremely happy with how well it's looking.

Can't wait to share it with everyone!

Survival: Update #6 - coming soon

Editing is ongoing, but I've decided to put out a little teaser for the project.  Hope it whets your appetites, and keep an eye out for the finished product Soon™!

Special mention goes to the music, which is by my hugely talented brother Thomas - he totally nailed the atmosphere with pretty much zero direction.