Day: September 15, 2023

‘Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea’ has the best TV theme music

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment

Television has seen only a few theme songs that have excited viewers and encapsulated the essence of the shows they introduce. Paul Sawtell’s composition for the series “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” stands out as a masterstroke, and here’s why.

From the first haunting sonar pings of the main title, listeners are instantly transported to the vast and mysterious realms of the ocean. This isn’t just any ocean but one filled with intrigue, danger, and grandeur. Sawtell’s theme is a siren song, drawing us deep into the depths of the story before the actors even have a chance to say their lines.

But the end credits truly crescendo into something magnificent. With a sweeping dance of deep brass and soaring strings, there’s a feeling of culmination, like returning from an epic voyage. It paints an audioscape of sea monsters, heroic submariners, glimmering treasures, and shadowy threats. The grandeur of these compositions makes one think of oceanic sagas from eras long past.

Unfortunately, the series’ scripts didn’t always rise to the lofty standards set by this stirring music. But Sawtell’s gift to “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” is unassailable. While storylines may falter, music can remain timeless, and Sawtell’s theme stands as a testament to this – echoing through the annals of television history as one of the best.

In defense of AI partners for writers and artists

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
Graphic shows a robot and a human male standing side-by-side. Text: Say hello to my new writing partner.

Integrating artificial intelligence into writing and illustration projects has seen its fair share of contention.

Yet, when done judiciously, AI can significantly enhance these creative processes. Embracing AI in my writing and illustration projects is not about relinquishing my creativity but rather about harnessing tools that make that creativity sharper, more refined, and more impactful.

To understand my viewpoint, it’s vital to realize that, historically, writers and illustrators have always sought aids and tools to improve their work.

The progression has been relentless, from the quill pen to modern-day word processors. AI is just another step on this evolutionary ladder.

Is it wrong for machines to relieve us of complex tasks? Is it unethical to set a DSLR to the automatic setting, that little green square that tells the camera to adjust exposure and focus automatically?

Of course not. That green square upholds photographers’ creativity, helping them quickly achieve their vision.

Sometimes, tools, whether human or AI, are needed to refine and enhance our initial creative bursts.

For years, I worked as a copy editor, enhancing and sometimes heavily revising the work of others, many of whom struggled profoundly with the art of writing. Nobody whined about the ethical implications of my input or its impact on the originality of the content. So, why the outcry when silicon does the job?

The era of AI isn’t about the machine surpassing us but about us working hand in hand with technology.

Whether a human tool or a silicon-based one, the goal remains unchanged: to improve and refine my creative expressions.

Let’s embrace AI not as a threat but as an ally in our continual pursuit of excellence in writing and illustration.