A once in a lifetime experience, that’s what we’re all looking for!

So I don’t know how many others have had the thought, but back in the day – when films had no sound, and cinema was such a new and exciting thing – a musician sits in the corner creating the mood for the film. I’ve always been so curious to be there and to feel the atmosphere created by a live musician.

So, a few weeks ago I had this experience! Although, instead of being infatuated like people of the time to the flicker of an image in front of me and been blown away by a horse and cart passing on a singular tripod shot for 6 minutes at a time, I was naturally infatuated by the music being created in the room before me!

The majestic Astor Theater in St. Kilda as glorious as it is on its own, housed us for the afternoon as we watched the 1920′s film, Last of the Mohicans. Local Melbourne Indie Duo ‘Invention In Time’, made up of Kate on Marimba and Ariel on Vibraphone along with a number of other instruments; composed and added dramatic sound effects to every moment of this masterpiece.

It was simply a magical experience! As Jacob who was with me said, he got so attached to what was happening, he forgot the music was live. From the sweet melodies from the wooden & steel instruments to the sudden banging and rhythm of drums in the battle scenes matching the cannon fire. Every moment thought out so well, it added understanding to an ancient story – like adding colour to the grainy black and white image, yet so much more.

If I haven’t painted a clear enough picture, I really enjoyed the experience! I also found I learnt a lot – things I consider and want to add in elements into my future film work.

It’s amazing to see how the convention of film has not really progressed all that far. Sure technology has improved and we can do so much more now, but for what these early filmmakers had to play with and the efforts they had to go to, they are absolute geniuses!

Maurice Tourneur and Clarence Brown, the two directors of the the film created an adaptation of the 1826 novel by the same title. Set in 1757, amidst the turmoil of a war-torn nation struggling for its identity, the British fight French forces which have rallied together with native Indian tribes. Basing his novel on real people who played a significant part in the French and Indian War, history is realistically re-enacted while also telling a deeply moving personal story of individuals.

One thing in particular I took away from this film, and found amazing, was the fact that even though this film was in black and white, these film makers had each scene carefully filtered in a monotone colour. This not only helped break up the scenes but the colours were particularly chosen to set the mood and atmosphere. Maurice and Clarence were filmmakers ahead of their time. Even without the ability to film in colour, they forced colour into a black and white world!

Now to learn the secrets – to unlock the power of colour, and of sound!

Invention in Time will use marimba, vibraphone, piano, flutes, drums and percussion to create A brand new sore for an old film – Invention in Time.
Check out their website: www.inventionintime.com