VOICES

In 1984, Tanner Cole met Katie Gordon in Savannah and fell head over heals in love. Soul mates, they did everything together from their college days spent working on the same newspaper and Summering on Tybee Island to settling down in Tanner's hometown of Gainseville, Texas.

Unable to have children, Tanner built his world around Katie. A happier couple never existed until a mysterious illness took Katie suddenly and unexpectedly away from him. Devastated beyond description, his entire existence changed. Depending upon whom you trust and believe, Tanner either went mad or simply lost interest in everything he used to share with his adoring and supportive wife. To the outside world Tanner was simply a heart-broken man. But Katie Gordon would never allow a fate so terrible to befall the love of her life.

From beyond the veil of time she began to summon Tanner to his senses and rouse him to realize that love lives beyond our time on earth. Through a series of mystical encounters, Katie ultimately leads Tanner back to Savannah, the place they met, and sets him on an adventure his forlorn heart could never imagine. She helps him find the one true love of his life.

"Voices" is a mysterious and magical journey inside the human heart. A tour de force expose of how enduring one man's soul can be when given the hope -- albeit through supernatural means -- of finding his perfect complement.

Without giving the entire premise away, when you begin to read or hear of Tanner Cole and his unchained love for Katie Gordon, remember me.

 

SURF TO: JAMES HOLLOWAY and STAR HARBOR FILMS

THE MUSIC OF VOICES

The above right thematic reflections are meant to underscore the spirituality of Star Harbor Films' future release of VOICES currently in pre-production. Wanting to evoke a sense of the romance inherent everywhere in the South  I composed several sequences to mirror the emotional waters of Tanner and Katie's souls.

Interlude -- Tanner and Katie's Tybee Island romance

"Interlude" is from happier times at the beginning of the film  when all was well in the world with Tanner and Katie. It's meant to be light-hearted and establish the uninterrupted music in Tanner and Katie's young hearts.

Dueling Pianos -- Tanner and Katie's time in Texas

After their marriage  the newlyweds move to Tanner's small home town. Though Katie would follow Tanner to the end of the earth  she remains a Savannah girl. Because both are from the South  their differing state roots never became a bone of contention. In truth  nothing could separate them. When Tanner frequently rode the rails to feel more a part of the land  Katie's spirit would nevertheless envelope him. In a few words  any differences they had only brought them closer to one another with every breath.

"Dueling Pianos" attempts to convey Tanner's love of motion and the guiding spirit  left unspoken,  that moved him to find his center when on the road -- Katie.

Savannah Bound -- Tanner responds to Katie's call

Tanner used to ride the Texas trains to chase stories. After Katie dies in his arms  he aimlessly wanders onto the Heartland Flyer and off at a summer fair  where he atrtempts to lose himself in the crowd... aching at the point of breaking to find in space what he never imagined he would lose in time.

Although portions of "Savannah Bound" appear later in the film  besides the ambience of carnival rides and people having fun  he hears Katie calling  "Tanner,  go home. Go home to Savannah." Of course  it will be a long while before Tanner figures out that Katie was leading him to Savannah Lane the girl and not the city. But then  that is what makes VOICES so compelling. Tanner's painful transition from losing love is universal.

Voices -- Tanner finds his roots in Katie's heart

I originally composed "Voices" as a background melody. When Tanner finally returns to Savannah  he instinctively proceeds to the seaside cottage he and Katie loved so well during their college days. Hence the accompanying bird cries and marine sounds. If it evokes something of the heartbeat/pulse and romance of the South  Tanner's longing for Katie and soulful yearning to understand what he hears  as well as the tides of his life ebbing and flowing through  with,  in and around him  we may use it in the film. Otherwise  it may remain as an emotional signpost for a more talented composer.

2006  Star Harbor Films. Dallas  Texas. All rights reserved.