Soundtrack dilemma

Soundtrack dilemma 

We have come across a small problem with making the soundtrack, within the group. Half of us want to use a pre-made soundtrack, whereas the other half want to create one. At first, I myself was quite content with creating the soundtrack, but after a while we realised that it wasn't as easy as it first sounded, and one particular piece found on the internet worked perfectly with our film (after a little editing). 

With this dilemma being a 50/50 split between the group, I think the best way to settle it would be to get a few people to watch the scene with each of the soundtracks, and get them to vote on which one they feel is the best. After all, its the audiences opinion that is most important. 

I made up a very basic survey which really captures my creativity! All jokes a side, it gets to the point and ultimately gets the question answered.

Hopefully this survey will work effectively as a very late piece of planning and research!

Below is the survey I made ... 

Credit sequence

Credits

We have decided to stick with the traditional ending credits at the end of our film, however, we still want this to work with the thriller conventions. Tension, suspense and 'eeriness' need to be factors of this section of the film. We do not want to have a really suspense filled film, and then ruin the whole tension by sticking in a rubbish ending that kills off any bit of tension gained.

Deep, heavy monotonous sounds are needed for a thriller ending. Strings are a very important part, as they are really eerie and add tension. A fast paced sound could be going on in the background, possibly a fair bit softer and quieter so it can only just be heard in the behind the loud heavy sounds. This could even add a little tension.

Our main dilemma with all the music really, but the credits also is whether or not to create our own soundtrack. We are in the current process of making a soundtrack now, as it is a very time consuming process, and its better to have one if we decide to do it. However, we have found a fair few soundtracks from the internet which may work nicely with our film. We could easily justify our reasons for choosing that particular soundtrack as well, to avoid losing any marks!

The words coming in need to also fit the conventions of a thriller. I feel that deep red words work really well, as they symbolize danger and even death (in the form of blood). The words would be bold in a rather common font to keep things simple yet affective. I think a cross dissolve or a fade in/out transition between credits would work perfectly for them as well, as this just seems very effective to me, and I think the audience may agree (This could possibly require a survey).

Finally, the backdrop is a key part to keeping the tension up. In conjunction with the red, I believe a simple black or very deep blue would work a treat, as this is a very simple, yet effective method. The black/blue is very deep and could have a further meaning. It also could represent mystery and confusion, as it is complete darkness. Besides, if it were a really light colour, it would look absolutely ridiculous, and shoot all of the thriller conventions right down!

I have made a VERY basic credit scene, with what I had in mind.

Please be aware, I have noticed several mistakes - including the fact that the suffolk metropolitan police isn't a real thing! Also, some typo's have been noticed. Please ignore these, and concentrate more on the formatting rather than the text.

Soundtrack Analysis - The Dark Knight

Opening scene to "The Dark Knight"

Soundtrack analysis

The micro element of sound it extremely affective in any film, but in any case when it comes to a certain genre of film, sound usually has a specified role to play. In the case of thriller, conventions would have us expecting sound to help build tension and suspense within a thriller film. All the micro elements linked to the  film in question usually converge together to help reach a genre goal which allows the film to use it's other macro elements to meet it's other conventions.

Within this opening scene from "The Dark Knight" we can see sound used within the conventions of thriller. We can break down the sound used into 8 certified groups.

1) Dialogue - Conversation between characters within the film itself

2) Diegetic Sound - Things the characters can hear in the 'real world', we and the actors in the film can hear diegetic sound

3) Incidental Music - background music which adds to the atmosphere and in some cases to the action going on in the film

4) Non diegetic sound - Sounds that do not exist in the 'real world' of the film, for example, the soundtrack which the characters cannot hear

5) Sound bridges - When a sound carries on from one scene to another, or when we hear a sound ant then it cuts to the scene where the sound is coming from

6) Sound effects - Sound effects are added during the post production to build up the mood and is usually used to reinforce certain sounds actors and objects make

7) Sound track - A complete audio component to a film to include all sounds, specifically the music track

8) Voice Over - When the audience can hear a character, specifically over the top of a scene, often telling us what they feel and why they're feeling it

All though not all these elements will be incorporated in any one film, a select few are usually always used.

Dialogue Analysis

Dialogue between the minor characters in the scene is rather fast paced. The snappy conversation between the minor characters is used to support the fact they're robbing a bank and must be fast about it, keeping concentration is of vital importance. When things start to pick up the minor characters begin to shout demands - "...HEADS DOWN HEADS DOWN!" - this is used to create tension between all the characters within the film and the audience, with the helpless people within the bank being scared and surprised by the robbers' unexpected appearance. Dialogue from the main character - The Joker - is completely void, we do not hear him talking at all through out the whole scene. As we can see this meets the conventions of mystery and the unknown are met through the lack of dialogue between The Joker and the other minor characters within the scene. Dialogue within the scene is guiding the audience through the notions being performed by the characters.

Diegetic sound

Examples of diegetic sound are pretty apparent through out the scene. The glass being smashed at the very beginning of scene is the frist example of diegetic sound. Other sounds that follow such as the grapple-gun and the sound of them swinging from one building to another. These sound all fit action/stunts which is another major convention of thriller films. All other Diegetic sounds such as gun shots also meet conventions of thriller, weapons and stunts are the two main conventions reinforced by the simple use of diegetic sound.

Incidental Music

The incidental music is probably the most effective way to set the atmosphere of the film/scene. Incidental music runs through out this scene to deliver the simple connotations that are used to back up the conventions of the thriller genre. The music at the start of the film is rather quiet, with a very light ticking probably used to simulate the fact they are fighting against the clock to rob this bank. When the glass is broken the ticking becomes more clear and apparent. When the car pulls up to pick up The Joker, drums are brought in to show his importance as he enters the car. As the car pulls away the music goes quiet again, to show the change in importance. From this short few seconds of the opening sequence, incidental music has already played a massive role in delivering tension and suspense to the audience, with elements of the music also setting the vital atmosphere, allowing the audience to develop their ideas on what is happening through out the scene. Through out the scene the incidental music continues to do this, backing up the bigger underlining macro elements of the film, allowing all the themes of the film to take effect shortly after the scene.

Non Diegetic sound 

Non diegetic sound comes in the form of the Incidental music in the scene.With all other sound effects being added to clarify some actions being made during the scene. The characters cannot hear the music in the background that builds the tension and suspense behind what they're doing. 

Sound Bridges

Sound bridges only occur with the incidental music that plays through out the scene, the music carries over into different scenes with characters carrying out different lines of actions, this is done to keep tension and suspense built up within the film and to maintain the connection between the narrative of the events occurring in the scene and the audience.

Sound effects

Sound effects such as gun shots fit the thriller genre very well, with these sounds matching up with the simply conventions of thriller films. Other sound effect that were possibly added during some stunts were also used to back up the notions of what's happening in the specific scene. Other sound effects could be used to add clarity to make certain nosies more noticeable, so that the audience is better engaged with what's occurring within the scene.

There is no voice over and the soundtrack is all these elements put together. With all this combined, the scene has a certain sense of speed, uncertainty, mystery with a strange atmosphere set but the incidental music. All these fit perfectly into the conventions of the thriller genre. Putting tension and suspense at the for-front of what's occurring during the scene, making the audience question what's happening and making them think about why it's happening. The sound allows us to develop relationships with the characters, even though dialogue is short we still gather a better understanding of "The Joker". 

Thriller soundtracks - From Films

Soundtracks - Thriller films

Here I am going to present a variety of different thriller scenes, from different films. I shall analyse them, saying why they are conventional to thrillers, and how they relate to what is going on at this particular point in the film.




Here we see a great example of a monotonous sound playing to build up tension. doing this, the audience becomes 'stuck' to the screen, and are paying quite a lot of attention to the soundtrack, as it goes along with the action going on on the screen. The music then changes and more instruments are introduced, to tell us that something is about to happen most likely. This method can also be used to create a red herring, as the soundtrack makes us feel that something is about to happen, when it isn't.
In the case of this film, this piece is used a couple of times. It is most known for playing at the beginning, the boat scene. Using this heavy piece tells the audience that the location the characters are heading to is not a good place, and you don't even have to look at the screen to know this, although it is supported by the pictures which come up on screen.
The soundtrack could also relate to a boats horn. A boat will use its horn when it is in distress, to attempt to alert help. This particular soundtrack sounds very much like a horn, and could be foreshadowing the fact that the people on this boat are going to become in distress.






Here we can hear a more fast paced theme playing, as batman fits more into the action-thriller genre. The fast pace is used to fit the conventions of an action film, but in the background we can hear this repetitive drum sound and bass sounds, which fit more into the thriller conventions, making it perfect for the combinations. The cello (string noise) playing also has its thriller conventions, as it is a very mysterious sound, and it is the main thing which entices the audience and keeps them watching.
This soundtrack fits the film well, as Batman is always in a high speed chase or a fight, so having this fast paced soundtrack really fits his character.
This piece also sounds very dark, which is rather fitting, as it is the dark knight. This piece is used to represent the dark knights personality and maybe even is current mindset at the current time of the music. Is he built up with anger and hate when the fast pace music is playing? When it goes soft, is he feeling some sympathy?




If you concentrate more on the actual opening, we hear this very innocent few notes being played, with very soft wind instruments and string instruments. Along with this, we hear very young children in the background giggling. This part of the music shows innocence and youth, which we know is taken away from the main character, Hanibal. The music then changes to more aggressive sounds, which tells the audience something is going to happen, this is followed by bombs going off. The sounds in this clip follow very closely what is going on in the shot, as it is a flashback (a very 'thriller' convention).
When the innocent playful music is going on, we can tell something bad is going to happen, it just tells us children are involved, and makes the tension even greater, because audience hates to see bad things happen to children. The scenes become quite graphic and the music certainly follows this pattern. If the music had a picture, it would be very aggressive and horrible to watch, just like the scene being shown on screen.

Clockwork Soundtrack

After Danny constructed an idea for a soundtrack using pre-made loops i had my own go with my own content.

Danny is a beautiful creature...

Ben Cusworth made this on GarageBand

Background Noise in Thrillers Pt: II

First i will being with Inception.

The first sound and image is waves on the sea. The sound here is very loud for a background noise so at first it may seem as if its just to show emphasis on the water and of Dicaprio washing up on the beach. Later on though a there is a scene similar to this which is key to the plot line of the film so the extra sound here makes you realise later on when the similar scene is playing that they are meant to be similar. The extra sound acts as an association between the two. Then there is the children's laughter. This is not as loud as the water so it seems as if the water is blocking Dicaprio and his children, which in a way it is due to the water scene later on being part of something bigger that affects his role with his children. Throughout the rest of the opening background sound appears to be normal, not too loud not too quiet which at the time may seem like they just didn't need anything special, but after viewing the film you realise that having the sound normal in that scene is too make it seem real, which is juxtaposed in the fact that that scene is actually a dream.





I intend for there to be another two parts soon.

Background Noise in Thrillers Pt: I

Thriller films rarely have an excess of sound in each scene. In fact, for many it appears that most background sound is either quietened or gone altogether. Normally, the only sounds you will be likely to hear (excluding actors speaking or the soundtrack) would be sounds that are viewed important or sounds that will add suspense/drama to a scene.

Take for instance the opening to The Dark Knight. I am using this film again (along with the other members of my group) to provide a deep analysis into multiple parts of its anatomy. You may be thinking that there isn't a lack of sound and that you are hearing what you would hear anyway, you would be incorrect to assume this. If you listen closely, what do you hear? Strangely quiet for one of the busiest (fictional) cities in the world isn't it? This is not shoddy editing, this is great editing. The lack of sound makes you focus on the soundtrack and its effects that add to the suspense of the current situation, it gives you an idea that something is about to happen, not happened, or happening. The lack of other background sound means that more of your brain is being devoted to the other sounds you are hearing, more attention is spent on the spoken words and their emphasis, the soundtrack and its complexity and impact on the scene and finally the key background noises the editor either added or kept in.
The first i will point out is the smashing glass and subsequent sounds up until they reach the alternate rooftop. The smash is the first background noise we are given and it immediately thrusts us into the idea that we are witnessing a key event, after this there is only the sound of the two joker henchmen preparing their grapple, the lack of other sounds makes this a tense moment while maintaining a sense that the event that is happening was planned.It then cuts to another of the jokers henchmen (later revealed to be the joker himself) and all background sounds are removed again. While doing this the camera slowly zooms in on the clown mask with the chilling soundtrack playing in the background which furthers the suspense already acquired and gives a hint that this particular henchman or the symbolism of this mask is important in this event. After the close up, a car pulls up next to him. the sharp sudden sound along with the change in tempo of the soundtrack acts as a jump-start so that we, the viewers, would know that the event that is happening has just kicked into a higher gear. Then, while the two original henchmen are zip-gliding over the street to the other rooftop it does include normal city background noises. This is to show to viewers that these henchmen are doing a suspenseful event, on an ordinary day, where there are no changes to cause what they are doing.
All in all, these uses of background noise (and lack of) is to lay out an idea of what is happening to the viewer without having to say or do anything else, while also adding to the suspense and mystery of what is happening and making us curious to what happens after this.

Analysis of Thriller Music and Construction of a Thriller Song

Today we decided to analyse the music used in thriller films and produce a basic song for our own.


The first song we analysed was Hans Zimmer's Dream is Collapsing from the Inception soundrack.

This particular song utilises a simple melody to begin with on top of a deep walking bass line. The first melody then becomes a secondary melody with strings and brass taking over the majority of the melody with each addition becoming louder. The piece then slows to become a more meaty, lumbering seemingly dangerous thing that when used in the film definitely creates an atmosphere of discord and worry. The piece abruptly stops to end this atmosphere but creates a cliffhanger effect in doing so, in the film this would most likely lead onto a quieter more mysterious piece.

Musical devices and terms this piece uses:

• Crescendo - Becoming steadily louder
• Recurring bass line and melody sections
• Starts quietly
• Ends abruptly 

The Second song we analysed was another of Hans Zimmer's. this one being Gotham's Reckoning from The Dark Knight Rises.

Although this song is from the same composer it utilises vastly different musical devices and instruments, clearly showing how different music in Thriller films can be to put certain stress onto a scene or character. This song begins quietly but with only a chilling string section and a simple melody played from a quiet instrument that could be a piano. The piece then loses the string section and melody in exchange for a constant drumbeat and a deep brass 'voice' which gives the effect of 'a calm before the storm'. It then explodes into a fast paced string section and brass to show that something large is coming which is evident when all the sections seem to come together for a final flash of sound. The piece uses this recurring theme of getting louder and faster then slower and quieter to keep the suspense in the film flowing while increasing it throughout.

Musical devices and terms this piece uses:

• Crescendo
• Big brass melodies and bass lines
• Fast paced string melody
• Strong, repetitive vocal melody

After listening to these two examples of a song on a thriller soundtrack i noted that thriller soundtracks utilise a number of musical features that add to the pieces tonality and effect.
They often begin quietly to suggest a 'calm before the storm' notion, this works well in a thriller film as it builds on the tension that is needed to keep the viewers interest in the film. They then have a crescendo which massively impacts on the pieces tension levels. The pieces will often then crash into a loud, explosive melody that goes along with a sudden change in the atmosphere of the film.
Common instruments used:

• Double Bass (Provides the deep bass)
• Violins (Either playing a simple melody or a recurring theme)
• Brass Instruments (Normally playing a simple tune to the speed of the double bass)
• 
  

After listening and analysing these two i decided to try and come up with a basic song which i intend to post soon.