Task 1- Research

Creating music and effects for film (Tone/Mood, genre, location etc)

These factors are important so that the viewer is engaged and not bored. The emotional response from the mood and tone from the film creates a relatable and affecting response depending on how it is delivered and the context. If a film is set in India it would be appropriate to include music from that region of the world to immerse the watcher in the film. Or if a film is in the genre of Action it will most likely include rather fast pace and intense music. The 1982 critically acclaimed film Ghandi is a good example of a soundtrack utilising the setting of a film to its orchestral advantage. The composer Ravi Shankar demonstrate this with the use of traditional Indian instrumentation on the song "Discovery of India". I particular enjoy the Sitar's in the song as the instrument on its own merits has a history with spirituality and culture further setting tone and mood. If it were an other obscure instrument that wasn't from that region such as the Bag Pipe it would feel completely out of place, that is why thinking about the location of a film is so important. The Sitar's used also reflect the tone because the film is taking place during a dark place in India's history when it was occupied by the British, the Sitar's being a spiritual instrument may the show the desire of peoples prayers. The genre of the film being a biography set in the 40s probably means it shouldn't have any fast pace techno music and should use more subdue and slow pace type music.

Identify and research two film scenes of your choice

The two film scenes I have chosen demonstrates how effective music can be for film whilst also showing the different extremities of use for music in film.

Trainspotting has strong use of juxtaposition with its song choice. The scene shows a drug addict overdosing on Heroin by the name of Renton.

It also has use of Hyper real sound, this is heard when Renton injects himself, you can hear the Swish of liquid heightened in it's realism to add disturbance to the viewer. As a result it makes the scene far more disturbing than it would of using more realistic and grounded audio.

The song by Lou Reed "Perfect Day" as previously stated is used inappropriately for the sake of Juxtaposition. The happy and joyful music compared to the alarming and horrific scene enhances the ominous feel. Danny Boyle has used music to its full potential in this scene.

Unlike Up's music, Lou Reed is a musician who was in a rock band and has a catalog far more based in the modern climate of modern music.

Up uses Music in film in the more classical sense. The song reflects the mood far more appropriately and conventionally than Trainspotting does. It ties with the title of the movie because of it's uplifting tone however contrary to this it does sadden "up" when Ellie becomes infertile and later in the scene when she dies. As the scene develops the music ties in with what events are happening currently in Carl and Ellies life, this is shown by the very first part where Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is briefly heard after their wedding vows. Michael Giacchino composed the soundtrack to fit in with the era when Carl and Ellie throughout the stages of their life.

If any other music was chosen for both these scenes it would be incredibly out of place and awkward, the music for the scenes have clearly be carefully considered by the people behind them and display just how effective music can be in film when used right. They understood the overall tone of the film and appropriately used music in accordance with the demographic and context.

Critically discuss the practical skills you have developed

As a beginner in Logic Pro I had little to no knowledge of this software. During Martin's sessions he has shown me very important and effective techniques for music and sound in film such as reverb which gives sound a more big and echoey feel, good for scenes outside in big and grand environments. Furthermore, I have learned little techniques to make my work flow far more efficient such as bookmarks so when I know I want a sound for something but don't have it quite yet I can find the exact place I want it in the timeline again. Martin's music theory lessons have also proven to be very helpful as it has shown me how to structure and pace music in a interesting way, when the bird falls down in my Logic project the music gradually builds up and up like how the tension is building up and up. Matt recently discussed Leimotif's, a recurring musical phrase used for when you witnessing a particular character or place during a film. Going back to the film Up, the song married life is played throughout the film when a melancholic and or sentimental moment happens.