SWIMMING WITH BUTTERFLIES - CLIO AWARDS - 2X GOLD, 1X SILVER!
Wow! The Clio Awards have recognized Swimming With Butterflies with three Clio Awards, highlighting the film’s outstanding storytelling, cinematic visuals, and emotional impact. 2 Gold and 1 Silver!
Can’t really overstate how much of a big deal this is - the Clio Awards are a prestigious recognition in the fields of advertising, design, and communication, celebrating creativity and innovation across various media disciplines. Established in 1959, the awards serve as a benchmark for excellence, highlighting the transformative power of compelling ideas and storytelling. Winning a Clio not only acknowledges an individual's or team's talent, but also elevates the standards within the industry as a whole. So a HUGE congratulations is due to our incredible writer and director, Karl Stelter, as well as the rest of the team! It was my honor to compose the music and help tell Lizzi’s story. Watch below!
Swimming With Butterflies
I could not be more proud of this beautiful project! One of my most favorite films I have ever worked on, with my dear friend and visionary director Karl Stelter. The message means more to me than I can say! Grateful to have worked with again with Joe Simon, the incredible cinematographer, and to work with Colton Jackson, amazing sound designer, for the first time.
Own your story...and have the confidence to write the next chapter on your own terms.
After missing bronze by 1/100th of a second at the 2016 Paralympic Games, Austin-based swimmer Lizzi Smith shares an intimate story of how changing her self-perception didn’t just bring her back to the pool - it’s bringing hope to the next generation.
Director: Karl Stelter
Client: Invisalign
Production Company: Journeymen Studios, TFA Group
Executive Producers: Jay Snyder, Karl Stelter, Joe Simon
Producers: Jay Snyder, Karl Stelter
Cinematographer: Joe Simon
1st AC: Kelly Wourms
2nd AC: Kyle Decker
Grip and Electric: Daniel Leonard
Production Sound: Taylor Juarez
Production Assistant: Tony Stolfa
Editor: Karl Stelter
Original Score: Christy Carew Marshall
Sound Design and Mix: Colton Jackson
Color: Arianna Shining Star
VFX: Danny Shepherd
KILLING TIME - live on Omeleto! Hope you enjoy my score :)
Cindy is a physicist out for a run. She's been awaiting the results of her latest experiment, which involves the ability to fold space-time. As she runs in the woods, she attracts the attention of a mysterious figure lurking in the woods. When she comes home, she gets into an argument with her father, who is also a scientist, and whose work Cindy has built upon. Her father urges her to abandon the experiment, saying her obsession with it will ruin her life. But Cindy persists, though its results force her to reckon with the decisions of the past.
Directed and written by P. Patrick Hogan, this short sci-fi drama leverages its ability to build tension and create suspense, drawing in viewers into a story that questions the limits of human knowledge and how far we should go to pursue ideas and capacities beyond our understanding. While its subject matter is scientific and speculative, the film itself functions mainly as a mix of family drama and suspense thriller, beginning with the tracking of a mysterious figure in the woods that itself is watching a woman closely. It follows her back home, where we assume it lies in wait for the perfect moment.
True to the cinematic language of the thriller genre, the musical score is tense, the cinematography and camera are shadowy and eerie and the editing builds a sense of anticipation. But then the film settles into another mode, as Cindy and her father debate over the experiment and the possible test results that she's waiting for. The possibility of time travel would change everything, and Cindy doesn't question the drive to unlock the secrets of space-time. But her father, whose work she is building on, urges her to stop, saying that perhaps there are some things that human beings aren't meant to know or do. Actors Maggie McCollester and Lowell Dean trade points back and forth, and it becomes clear that Cindy is more driven -- almost to the point of obsession -- to unlock the experiment than sift through its moral and ethical ramifications. Her father can't change her mind, despite pointing to their ruined marriages and fractured family lives as evidence that such single-minded zealous pursuit has its cost.
It's at that point that the elusive dark figure makes its move, pulling the film into an entirely different direction -- and Cindy's fate as well. With the buildup of tension, the denouement of "Killing Time" could easily escalate into violence or confrontation, but as it unfolds, we see it is the work of addressing past mistakes, righting previous wrongs and saving what's most precious in life, while at the same time acknowledging that arguments about science, ethics and knowledge are complicated and tangled ones to unravel. We can test the limits and capacities of human knowledge, but is it wise when we still haven't mastered the ethical and emotional capacities we already have? There are no answers except maybe in hindsight, though it's tempting to believe we can remedy those if we could. ABOUT OMELETO Omeleto is the home of the world's best short films. We showcase critically-acclaimed filmmakers from the Oscars, Sundance, Cannes and more!
Givers of Death, coming to theaters soon
Looking forward to everyone experiencing this powerful film and its score! Coming to theaters soon!
Saks & Sparkling Magic!
I hope everyone has had a safe and happy holiday season and welcome to 2022!
If you happened to visit New York City and check out the Saks 5th Avenue holiday light display, then you heard 5 Alarm Music again as the music team who brought it to life. I truly had a blast working on this with my incredibly talented colleague Steve Shebby. Thank you Saks for working with us again!
You may have found your way to my site from Instagram reels - my piece “Sparkling Magic” has really blown up over there, having been used in over 110k reels, some with views of up to 9 million! I have gotten so much amazing feedback from creators and had such a great time viewing all the incredible reels that chose to use this piece of music. Thank you ALL and I hope you enjoy taking some time listening to some more of my work!
2022 is looking to be really exciting with tons of cool projects that I will be sure to update on here more regularly! In the meantime, hope this year is full of health, happiness and all the blessings in the world for you and your family.
Randall Larson of BuySoundTrax.com reviews VIRTUALLY score
Thank you Randall for such a wonderful review! Read it here!
”She layers Vitucci’s deeply moving cello work with a colorfully flavored array of synthetic keyboard pads, rushes, and tonalities that cascade and pop and burst airily. Delightful woodwind strains and synth choirs of bright, gleaming cadences contrast against darker timbres as the woman faces her difficult choice (“Urgency”). Without spoilers, I’ll simply say the score’s ending, musically, is delightfully fulfilling.”
Christy wins BEST SCORE at Artemis Women in Action Film Festival!
Boy Eats Girl: A Zombie Love Story won Best Score at the Artemis Motion Pictures Artemis Women in Action Film Festival! Super appreciative to the festival and Bella Composers for this honor. Thank you so much to my director Sarah Gurfield for bringing me onto this project and giving me such a great story to work with!
The gorgeous cello playing: Simone Vitucci, the excellent English Horn/Oboe: Phil Popham, the fabulous flute: Sarah May Robinson and the masterful mix/master: Steve Shebby.
VIRTUALLY reviewed in April 2021 issue of FILM SCORE MONTHLY
WOW! A great big huge thanks to Erik J. Heine and the editors of FSM for featuring an incredible review of my score for Virtually. You must be a subscriber - the link is here! This was such a huge honor for me as I have been a fan of the magazine since I first moved to LA.
One of my favorite quotes from the review: “Christy Carew is certainly someone to watch in the immediate future, and I hope that she has the opportunities to work on bigger and more visible productions. The world needs to hear what she has to say.”
Virtually OST Release with Note for Note Music
I cannot explain how excited I am to be having my music released by Note for Note Music! Thank you Bryon Davis and Peter Hackman for your support, guidance and encouragement!
Thank you to the director of the film, Patrick Hogan, for the amazing journey we've been on with Virtually - thank you Simone Vitucci for your gorgeous and emotional cello playing, and thanks to the team at Paramount for your mixing magic.
Virtually was nominated by the Tenerife International Film Music Festival (FIMUCITÉ) for the 2019 Fimucinema Award for Best Original Score (Short Film). The score was also honored with the award for Best Score - Short Film at Filmquest, and received the 2019 Certificate of Achievement: Honorable Mention for Best Original Score at the Independent Shorts Awards.
PURCHASE & STREAM HERE! http://hyperurl.co/5erg4fI
Note for Note is an amazing film music label and I am SO honored to be among so many legendary composers, brilliant colleagues and dear friends.
Saks 5th Avenue Holiday Light Display
5 Alarm Music was truly honored to be called upon to create the music for the Saks Holiday Light Display for 2020! This was such an incredible project to be involved with.
The fanfare-esque music you hear at the beginning was entirely composed and orchestrated by me; then the rest of the music was orchestrated and arranged by me with extra assistance from my brilliant colleague Steve Shebby, bringing the magic through organ, drums, sound design, mixing and mastering!
Please check it out by clicking here!
Super grateful to Saks and the 5 Alarm Team for this opportunity!
G.O.D. - Givers of Death - at the American Black Film Festival
Very proud of Givers of Death as it premieres at the American Black Film Festival!
Huge congrats to everyone involved and especially writer/director Addison Henderson!
Check out the Trailer here:
I had the pleasure of scoring the trailer and using part of the original score - trailer mixed by the amazing Amanda Hughes
The awards show takes place at 5 pm PST/8 pm EST on Sunday, August 30th - stream it live, presented by IMDb!
Boy Eats Girl - an amazing festival run!
I have been really enjoying seeing Boy Eats Girl have an incredible festival run! Here are just some of the festivals the film has been featured at, and some of the awards it has been honored with!
Thank you so much to my director Sarah Gurfield again for bringing me on to be a part of this project - and thank you again Phil Popham for your wonderful performance on oboe and English horn!
PMA Academy Panel
I was honored to be asked by the PMA to speak on this wonderful panel about the future of the production music industry, representing a composer, producer and music director viewpoint. We have a lot to be grateful for and to look forward to, my friends! Big thanks to Morgan, the PMA, my fellow panelists and everyone who tuned in.
"Looking for Leia" now available WORLDWIDE
Everyone around the world who has been patiently waiting for “Looking for Leia” to be available worldwide - it’s time! Please enjoy and let me know what you think of the score. I truly had a blast on this project that is so deeply meaningful to me; thank you again to the entire team and especially my director Annalise Ophelian.
RIGHT HERE AT SYFY WIRE YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
https://www.syfy.com/lookingforleia
Kylo Ren: Blood of Vader Animated Series
Kylo Ren/Ben Solo is my favorite fictional character, and my favorite Star Wars character. I am so thrilled to be teaming up again with Star Wars Editor to score the incredible animated series he is producing. Not only do I get to incorporate the Maestro’s Themes, I get to write my very own Kylo Ren musical motif!
Shadow of the Mandalorian
I am super excited to be working with director Kiefer Jenkins of Jetstreak Ink on his Star Wars fan film, Shadow of the Mandalorian.
Amazing effects, a great story, lots of heart and the spirit of Star Wars! I’m writing a score inspired equal parts by John Williams and Ludwig Goransson :) Coming soon.
Givers of Death Screening!
We screened Givers of Death for friends and family in downtown Los Angeles, and it was so incredible to see on the big screen. I can’t wait for everyone to experience this fantastic, thrilling and emotional film! So proud to have been working with director and star Addison Henderson for the past decade…here’s to the next 10 years.
Looking for Leia picked up by SyFy!
SyFy has acquired LOOKING FOR LEIA!
The docuseries was scheduled for a multi-platform debut on Saturday, December 21. All seven episodes are now available on SYFY.com, VOD, YouTube, and NBCU's OneApp. Two episodes aired back to back on the SYFY television network at 11/10c on the 21st. So far we have been getting amazing feedback and I hope you all enjoy this incredible series! Made with a lot of love for the Star Wars fandom and these beautiful, meaningful stories that have been a part of my life for 31 years. Could not be more proud of my involvement in composing the instrumental score - beautiful a cappella arrangements by Kate Burns and Bri Holland, sung by the Archer School Chorus. Thank you again to Annalise Ophelian for bringing me on board.
You can watch it on YouTube or directly on SyFy!
Givers of Death Recording Session
We were back at Speakeasy Sound, one of my favorite recording studios in LA, to record the live strings for the Givers of Death Score. The amazing cellist and contractor Simone Vitucci brought together a beautiful group of musicians to bring this post-apocalyptic crime thriller to life!
A huge thank you to my director, Addison Henderson, and producers Leah Cohen-Mays and the Lagralane Group!
Looking forward to updating everyone on when the film officially premieres and the score will be available on all streaming platforms. All photos by Niles Gregory. HUGE thank you to our talented musicians: Simone Vitucci, Madeline Falcon, Jonathan Morgan and Nikki Garcia. Special thank you to the staff of Speakeasy Sound and especially our engineer and mixer, Paul Redel.
Christy and engineer/mixer Paul Redel at the final mix a few weeks later!
Filmquest: Virtually wins for Best Score - Short Film!
This is a really meaningful award for me! THANK YOU to Filmquest for selecting my score for Virtually to win the Best Score - Short Film award. I actually didn’t even realize I was nominated - it turns out that Filmquest does “secret nominees” in each category, to shake things up at the award ceremony! There were over 1100 submissions to the festival - I am very grateful that so many people along the way enjoyed this score. Looking forward to releasing it soon - more details on that to come!
