Derivative" By Gary M Sanner

DERIVATIVE is the result of this outsider’s eight year effort to create a melodic journey through four different ensembles’ sharply contrasting themes, styles, textures and moods; their harmonic interactions and dissonant complications; their quietly tense arrival at a critical juncture; their unifying resolution in a joyfully celebratory cascade of polyphony ; and the peaceful reflections of a musical journey finally shared.” - Gary M. Sanner 1956-2021

I first met Gary in 2006 at an open mic night at The Palms Restaurant in Wonder Valley, California. He had recently broken away from his therapist, quit his job in information technology and was living off his savings while carving out the life he wanted to lead. Most all of his history can be found in his writings . (See the links below) It’s pretty sad and convoluted, but he spent his final years in a secure and stable situation that gave him the chance to create his Magnum Opus, “Derivative”.

At Open Mic, Gary would sing the songs that he had written and scat sing the music parts. Both his parent played instruments and aside from watching as his mother played piano, Gary had no real training in music. But it was always in his head, fun little songs ala Tom Lehrer or sweeping instrumental works that cross the lines between classical baroque and mid century modern jazz/pop. Open mic night was his chance to share his creative side. We became almost instant friends the night we met.

Gary was always socially awkward and Open Mic was a chance for him to make friends outside of a controlled setting. It was one of his happiest times, but it was fleeting.

The cash reserves he had built up from his old job ran out and eventually he ended up in public housing. Yet fate had another twist, he qualified for single living in an apartment complex and received a large lump sum payment from social security or similar agency for some reason.

I would often visit him in his place in San Bernardino, and it was during this period he acquired the computer and software that would allow him to turn the music in his head into something he and others could actually hear. Given his lack of musical training he was reduced to a “hunt and peck” method of finding the notes he wanted. A hugely laborious task that he tackled with relish. Eventually he was able to transcribe and record a CD of songs entitled “Autumn Leaves”.

When his parents died, Gary received a modestly large inheritance and he decided that he wanted to create his Magnum Opus based upon a tune he had composed, “Derivative”. He wanted to have an animated video for it and he commissioned me to do the animation. At the time I had no practical experience in the medium, but that wasn’t a deterrent. I was to learn how to do the work ,and then do it.

I had no idea what I was in for. Gary had only a vague idea of a story line, involving a review of the history of a parallel humanity that eventually achieves world peace. A few months into the process of creating random scenes that fit with the idea I hit a block. I asked Gary for a bit of direction and he wrote up an extremely detailed script that broke it all down into 3-6 second vignettes for the whole of the 10 1/2 minute work. Given the unofficial deadline and the number of scenes to be created, I resorted to a Terry Gilliam style of animation. Very “rough cut and raw boned” as I put it, but Gary was pleased. We had projected a year to complete, but it ended up taking just over two years on my part, and another 6 months while Gary helped with the final crowd animations. He also created the final “Intergalactic Community” scenes using Powerpoint as I was flummoxed by how to interpret his vision for it.

Once completed, he sent it around to various minor film festivals and won few minor awards.

He was thrilled, he had managed to see his creative efforts come to full fruition before he died. No small task for any person, and it helps to keep me inspired in my own work. I’m humbled that Gary asked me to help him bring his vision to life. I hope you enjoy his efforts.