Cue of the Week: “PTSD”

Here’s some moody underscore from a trauma scene with Erika Christensen’s character in the film Home Room. I spent a lot of time thinking about instrumentation, as too heavy-handed an approach could interfere with the film’s delicate portrayal of a tough moment. I ultimately opted for a duet between two bass flutes, which have a darker quality than the standard-sized flute. Cello harmonies provide a sense of breadth at the end, matching a shift to a wider shot in the scene.

The melody itself is a slowed-down variation of the film’s main theme, barely recognizable unless you have sharp ears. Composers love to recycle!

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

	PTSD