Jaw's Soundtrack Analysis

Jaws Analysis

“The Hooper” scene from Jaws has stood against the test of time and is a great example of how to create perfect synergy between sound production and imagery. The deep dark blue ocean is a scary abyss, open, deep and unknown. Spielberg recognises the human fear of the unknown and uses this in his sound design to create a powerful effect in this scene.

The silence at the very start (with the use of foley water effects to add realism) makes the audience uncomfortable, paralleled with the dark ocean, we are waiting for something to happen. As the Hooper adjusts his goggles, a dark shape in the distance draws closer; Jaw’s leitmotif starts, a deeply pitched, melodic beat, rising in amplitude and tempo, almost replicating the audience’s heartbeat as Jaw’s gets closer.

 

As Jaw’s approaches the cage and the music reaches its pinnacle, the shark seemingly swims away, leaving the audience in silent anticipation. This silence increases the dramatic effect for when Jaw’s suddenly appears on the other side of the cage, the powerful chords and dissonant melodies strike as this terrifying dark figure strikes and startles the audience. The scrambling of the Hooper in these few seconds is replicated and given dramatic effect by the music, making him seem powerless.

In the struggle the Hooper drops his harpoon, and the foreboding leitmotif starts again. As the Hooper looks around in a panic of what to do, this part is again increased with the dramatic effect of parallel sound; fast scrambled tempo with a high pitch gives the audience a taste of the Hooper’s panic. As the music plays out, Jaw’s attacks the cage again, this time for an extended period. The Hooper cries are muffled from being underwater; giving it a feel of a certain hopeless fate. The pitch of the screeching music in this scene somewhat resembles the noise of Jaw’s great teeth ripping apart the steel cage as he relentlessly attacks his victims shelter. 

Homework - 50 words to describe a film score

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHPTPUpQ1I

Gladiator Sound-track

Mystical, inspirational, peaceful, clean, relaxing, happy, safe, calm, solace, satisfying, beautiful,
gorgeous, poetic, soothing, pretty, warm, friendly, filling, serene, grasping, epic, sad, memorable, gracious, deep, echoing, joyful, melodic, joyous, motivating, uplifting, moving, mythical, building, sorrowful, light, bright, rich, immerse, emotional, radiant, lustrous, tranquil, smooth, harmonious, elated, merry, pleasant, charming, elegant, exquisite.

Elements of a Sountrack

1. What is a film score and why is it used?

A film score is music that has been designed speficially for the film, for example, a orchestra designing music to create an emotional response, and/or engagement from the audience/viewer.

2. What are Foley sound effects and why are they used?

Foley sound effects are sounds designed by humans, and made using either they're voice, body, movement or objects to create sounds in the film, for example the smashing of a cup to recreate the sound of someone throwing a plate - this vastly helps the realism of the film, as the sound effects actually make the film more believable.

3. What is ADR and why is it used?

ADR is Automated Dialogue Replacement, this is basically the process of re-recording audio from the film in the studio, to make it better, crisper, more realistic, easier to hear, easier to create. This is a very important process in nearly all modern films.

4. What is the art of Sound Design?

The art of sound design is the creation of bringing new sounds to life, for example, the lightsaber in Star Wars, and most of the noises in Wall-E. Sound design is different to Foley, Foley is made by humans, banging on a desk, knocking over a lamp or doing voice overs with their throat. Sound Design is the method of bringing new sounds to life, it requires a very good creative mind.

Music Video - Q&A

1) What would you consider to be the main purpose of a music video?


A music video, or "song video" is a short film, usually integrating a song or imagery, produced for a selection of different purposes.

There are various reasons that an Artist creates a music video. I would consider the most important reason for creating a music video to be 'Star Iconography'. A music video gives a band a unique essence. It creates a unique style which the band tends to follow, I think this can effect the way people look at a band/artist and the way they listen to their music. For example, Ben Howard's music videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADP65wbBUpc) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8ccDb6n5Wg)
create an empowering sense of natural beauty, with lots of slow pan shots, natural colouring and scenery which isn't too unimaginable so that we can connect with it. His image, especially publicly gives off a very natural own to earth feeling; stylistically he matches this, his clothing sense, what he wears, it's all very brand-less with natural colouring, this is especially visible in his Music video's - this enhances his image towards that whole feeling, especially for me. This is incredibly important, and changes the whole way we listen and look at music. Whenever I think of Ben Howard I am reminded of the way his videos made me feel, which gives him Unique Star-Iconography, a music video is a great way to show your creativity as an artist, and uniqueness as a person.

I think creating your own star-iconography is the most important thing as an artist, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Beyonce, Eminem all have their own style and this is enhanced by their music videos. Music videos create a persona which you can relate to, in whatever way that may be. 

2) What other purposes for a Music Video might there be?

To create an outlet, allowing an band/artist to reach out, gaining a larger audience, star iconography and revenue - if for example the band/artist created a piece of DJ-ing equipment or a Perfume band, all the people interested in that would find it links back to the band/artist, which is called "extension of outlets"

To give the viewer a sense of visualisation, amplification and illustration. Sometimes it's hard to understand the meaning of a song without help from a video which either illustrates or amplifies the meaning. This helps people understand the messages of the song, and adds layers of meaning which might you might not be able to grasp from just listening to the song.

To become viral, whether through being controversial. For example, Public Enemy, the rap band being extremely political based, lyrically or just extremely unique - this also adds to 'star iconography' and makes them an important movement within music, putting them in the Public Eye. Gangnam Style - PSY is a good example of this - Do we really think that song would of hit a billion views on youtube without the incredibly well marketed video? Videos following this pattern are spread fast through friends and word of mouth. This is key for Marketing. 

To be entertaining, to create entertaining visuals whilst listening to the song. This is quite common, but I do think most music videos are not created purely for this intention, even though it may come across like this a lot of the time. 

3) How might an artist extend their income though having a Music Video?

This is a mixture of all of the above, creating and extension of outlets I would presume to be the largest increase in an income. In the end, extension of income is going to be based on a large amount of factors. Creating a viral video, a controversial video might also increase the likely hood that people will come to their gigs, which is one of the biggest sources of revenue to an artist considering that music is easily obtainable through the net. Another huge source of revenue is MP3 and software like iTunes, which is an increasingly popular method of obtaining music and using music; this is important, and requires the public eye to be really effective. Selling out to other merchandise types  (Dr.Dre Beats, Clothing, TV shows) is also a big form of revenue. Whichever route makes you reach the largest audience base is going to create an extension in income. Popularity will undeniably increase income, and using the routes that I mentioned in the earlier questions. "Star Iconography", "Uniqueness" and "Extension of Outlets" - which would occur later, due to press, publicity from the previous two. 

4) Describe how and why music videos have been used to fill in for bands on tour or when otherwise not available?

'Top of the Pops' is a great example for this, whilst live performances were a common occurrence, there were times a band wasn't available, and using a music video was a great way of making the audience feel entertained.  As I mentioned before, a bands music videos incurred a sense of uniqueness - it would still be if the creativity and essence of the band was still there. For example, Daft Punk music video's on Top of the Pops. 

Another great example, although rather rare is 'The Gorillaz' - the star iconography for the cartoon character creations has become some great that they are used in 3D to become to live band itself.( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdAXIj5QViw)

When a band/artist is unavailable for unforeseen circumstances - either illness or timing. The music video is used to the same effect as in the top of the pops, an experience, not quite as a great but still shared and entertained by a live audience. It's also to include the use of media, such as Youtube (Which has over 100 hours of footage uploaded per minute). You need to be constantly in the public eye or you'll be lost amongst the sea of other artists - when you're out on live gigs, live footage, live videos and videos similar to that will help keep the public interested, and talking about you. 



5) Thinking back through history and presently... how have music videos enabled an 'extension of outlets' (opened up ways to get music out the the masses)?

Music videos, especially through software and social media websites such as 'Youtube' have become increasingly popular, especially in creating star-iconography. Star-iconography links incredibly closely with "extension of outlets". From Madonna's Perfume to Kanye West's fashion and clothing there are has been an incredibly popularity following for "style" and now there are creative music videos, these link in with all other types of outlets. Toys, Posters, Fashion, Clothing and many other outlets. The growing use of technology and sharing increases how quickly the expansion of these outlets can happen - with advertisement and marketing a common place on music streaming websites. Youtube has over 1 billion unique visitors per month, each of them indulging in videos and/or music videos - and again becoming popular on these sites will increase your chances at getting and or setting up external outlets. 

Whilst back before the time of the internet, television and word of mouth and "hard-copy" buying was a measure of popularity, there are now many, faster ways for popularity to reach an artist. Extension of Outlets back in the days of MTV was due to request and popularity. It is similar now, but still, a very different process.

LOTR Deconstruction and 'The Purpose of a Soundtrack'

In this deconstruction, I am going to split the different sounds from the film into appropriate categories by linking the time frame from this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCZ3SN65kIs

The Score: 

'The score' is the music composed separately for the film, composed by Orchestra's/artists/ect and linked into the movie.

Time: 1:29-1:35

This section is pretty self-explanatory, this music is used to create a mood/feel for the audience, it builds up tension and creates a foreboding feel for the battle.

Dialogue&ADR: 

'Dialogue and ADR' or 'Automatic Dialogue Replacement' is a process used to to increase the authenticity of dialogue throughout the movie. It is where the original sound from the movie (e.g talking) is replaced by the actors Voice acting over the top of their performance, and/or re-enacting the scene off-set.

Time: 0:00-0:04

At the very start, we have an instant example of a great use of Dialogue & ADR. This tone of voice, which would have been incredibly hard to pick up on recording devices on-set, would not have the clear, defined horror feel inflicted on the audience... as you would barely be able to hear them whisper. However in the studio this can be replicated to bring an incredible effect.

Sound Design: 

'Sound Design' (not to be confused with Foley) is a technique used to create new sounds, and bring them into existence, usually through using Software, and usually not physical objects/body.

Time: 0:14

Here, the sound of the Mythical "Nazgul" is unable to be reproduced, especially as it's an imaginative creature... therefore it's sound must be created using imagination as well. This is extremely important as it brings the creature to life, if it was replicated using the sound of a goat, it wouldn't quite add the same effect.

Foley: 

'Foley' (not to be confused with Sound Design) is when a sound from real life (e.g horses running) is replicated by either using physical objects, or your own body/voice. This is usually used to create, unusually more authentic sounds than the actual substance itself.

Time: 0:44-0:46

In this example, with the large space on the set, and the distance being moved. Hearing the actual noise of the horse trotting/breathing like that would be almost impossible to pick up, and it would not feel real at all. A reproduced sound here creates a clearer picture and adds to the essence of the scene.

Ambiance/Atmosphere: 

'Ambiance/Atmosphere' is crucial to setting environmental mood, when in a forest Ambiance sound can be used for the wind in the tree's, the crickets in the summers field. It creates mood for the setting, which is key for an authentic film.

Time: 3:12 to 3:14

Here is when the horses/Rohirrim are charging towards the orcs, this would be easily to reproduce using Foley, and Foley is used here, but I think a majority of this scene is 50/50 with Ambience, the noise of the actors swords/spears clanking against the horses, and the background horse footprints. Whilst no doubt some are Foley, I think this is a good example of the ambiance creating a feel of a large-scale battle.

The Purpose of the Soundtrack

The use of the soundtrack in this particular scene is incredibly well-thought out. Whilst not only establishing a mood and emotion through correct usage, it also gives the audience many other sensations and ideas throughout. 

The purposes of a soundtrack is hugely variable, whether it be to 'entice the imagination of the audience' or to 'indicate a geographical location'. In the link below we can see the soundtrack links closely to 'geographical location'. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVKeUWW_Z4
- The Lion King opening

This scene's music clearly gives the audience (alongside the video) an enhancement to Geographical location (Africa). This is really important to add emphasis, this closely links in with the use of music to define a characters persona; whilst they're both individually produced, they have direct links to cultural backgrounds. For example in the Lord of the Rings footage, the 'Rohirrim' are largely nordic based, when Leonnard Rosenman and Howard Shore conducted the score they closely linked the music to enhance the feeling of the specific races and cultural backgrounds (for example, the Horns are based of very Nordic instruments, especially in sound). 

Soundtracks can also be used for storytelling enhancing, especially subliminally, if the sad, slow music plays in a childhood memory; the audience is instantly feeling very differently towards what's being shown, especially to how they would feel if happy music was playing. It's very common in romances and tragedies. These previous points link into establishing atmosphere and mood (another key element of a soundtrack), you'll notice horror movies are constantly playing very dark, slow and deep music creating emphasis on a foreboding feeling, which is subliminally picked up by the audience, really adding to the mood. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rt3A5nXq8M
- The Grudge bathroom scene

Linking back to my earlier points on 'geographical location', it can also be important to set a 'time and place' i.e feudal age films, the music is based with instruments from the time and place, or music that the audience relates with timing to add a sense of realism. This is important to a movie, realism is really created through this process, making the soundtrack culturally and time specifically correct really gives us a sense of the times the film was set it, and creates an enveloping feeling for the audience. 

Soundtracks are most, and usually all of these variables and more. Soundtrack's are really created for the audience, and that differs greatly for which movie the soundtrack is created for. Producers of soundtracks for Comedies will be aiming to give an entirely different mood/atmosphere compared to a film like 'Lord of the Rings'.