Sound in FilmFilm Analysis Part Three

OriginsNo completely silent periodOrganists, pianists or even full orchestras supplied live musicals accompaniment in theatres Sound effects created on spot by specialistsOctober 1927: The Jazz Singer

Al Jolson says “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!”Not first, but most remembered

Origins (cont.)Sound drew more ticket buyersHowever, created new problems technically:

Cameras in sound proof boxesActors close to microphonesEmphasized speech more than movement

In theatres- can’t keep up reels with soundComical misalignments (male voice with female)Movietone sound-on-film standard by 1931

Diegetic SoundSound in film divided into two major categories: diegetic and non-diegeticDiegetic: sound that is within the world of the film/ characters can hear it

DialogueSounds made by objects in the story

Example: Perks of Being a Wallflower (0:00-1:00)

Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09I8KCD63MQ

Non-Diegetic SoundSound that is not present within the world of the film:

Score (aka background music)Narrator’s commentary

Example: Marie Antoinette (0:00-1:00)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfO0TgcDUnI

Diegetic or Non-Diegetic?Which is which? Scene Number One (0:00-0:20): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNv5sPu0C1E Scene Number Two (0:00-0:35): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kpHK4YIwY4

CategoriesFour main kinds of sound:

DialogueSound EffectsScorePopular Song

Sound EffectsAll other sound (except most dialogue) is added laterFoley is performed while watching projected film and is sometimes called “walking Foley” b/c of footsteps requiredThe Foley techniques are named for Jack Foley, a sound editor at Universal Studios Car engines, explosions, etc. are added by the sound effects editor(s)

Foley Artists at WorkFoley artists at workView film while creating soundshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNvKhe2npMM

Musical ScoreFilm score conveys mood, emotion and character in ways dialogue cannot1908: first score tailored for filmLeitmotif: short musical phrase representing and recurring with a character, situation or emotion (examples: Jaws, Star Wars)Hints at unspoken conflicts or feelingsFilm scores are usually composed after the film has finished shooting.

SongsUse of existing popular songs, composer takes advantage of the audience’s prior associations with music. Well-known songs can establish historical periods/timeOriginal songs, written specifically for a film, may highlight a particular moment or entire film’s themeIn musicals, songs function as a type of dialogue—closely interwoven with scriptSongs for musicals are written and recorded before production begins.

Which sounds are showcased?

Scene One: Wayne’s World (0:18- 0:45)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STt9dqPsFTE&feature=related Scene Two: The Social Network (0:20-1:34) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mehUC5l-lGM&list=PLB2DE32871180A772

Which sounds are showcased?

Scene Three: Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace (0:20-0:45) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQxrJBNQg4A Scene Four: Jurassic Park (2:20-2:35)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9SEFMIBwAs

Exit Activity After watching the following scene, use ALL of the information that we have learned in the past few days to evaluate the scene using the half-sheet given.Clip from Drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdqbdEKeJ_4

Which film to analyze?Moneyball (2011)

Director: Bennett Miller Genre: Biopic, Sports, DramaTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4QPVo0UIzc

The Prestige (2006)Director: Chris NolanGenre: Drama, Thriller, Mystery Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VaCFcNGTHo