"To me, the most challenging aspect of scoring a film is interpreting what a filmmaker is looking for based on their attempts to explain it. As a composer and musician, I am fluent in the language of music. Typically, filmmakers are not. So, honing my ability to think like a filmmaker is something at which I work very hard. I do my best to avoid the obvious and use tonalities you wouldn't expect, given the mood of the picture. Unique instruments can create a gentle tension or mystery too. I also try hard to remember that 'less is more'. Sometimes you have to strip it all down to the essentials to make something really work. That's what my favorite composers have done and why I'm drawn to and influenced by them."
The Axe In The Attic
produced, directed, edited by Ed Pincus and Lucia Small
original score by Todd Horton

2007 - Horton composed the score for the award winning documentary film by Ed Pincus and Lucia Small, entitled The Axe In The Attic, which had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival. The director's challenge to Horton was to create an unconventional score, which supported the story and narrative without imposing how the audience should feel..

From the website:

"The story of an American Diaspora unfolds – the displaced struggling with loss of home, family, and culture. Emotions range from deep pain to surprising humor, as filmmakers and subjects tackle questions of race, class, and our government's failure to protect its own."

 

Filthadelphia
filmed, edited and original score by Todd Horton

2009 - Horton's first attempt at filmmaking was initially meant to be a showcase for more of his film scoring techniques than anything else. But it worked out that he was also able to express his passionate disgust with Philadelphia's trash problem. You can watch the entire film here: Filthadelphia

From the composer:

"Philadelphia's citizens and its government are responsible for keeping the city trash free. Yet many neighborhoods beyond the boundaries of Center City are neglected to the point of tragedy. It reflects an attitude of indifference, a lack of pride and, ultimately, selfishness. My hope is that this film will be a little reminder that we are all responsible, in some way, for creating the problem and for finding solutions."


Coat Check
written and directed by Thomas Bacon
original score by Todd Horton

1998 - Horton's first short fiction film. The director wanted the music to sound as though it were being played by a live band or, at times, through a jukebox at the VFW in which the film took place. A blend of classic Jazz, Swing and schmaltz seemed in order, with the exception of the opening funk piece. The music was recorded live in a garage in Brooklyn to a 17" TV monitor on the other side of a plexiglass window which separated the band from the recording equipment.

 

© 2009 Todd Horton           all rights reserved          contact: todd@toddhorton.com