Film + TV analysis #2

In the film Clown Train how does sound contribute to the atmosphere of this film? Describe what you heard? Can you make reference to another genre film and how they utilise sound to create tension and a unique filmic space?

Sound plays a big part in Clown Train. Silence is prominent throughout the short film, and manages to aid the subtle changes in atmosphere as the film progresses. The lack of sound creates pauses that are at times humorous, and tense at others. Eerie and echoing sounds can be heard in parts, which gives us a sense of setting in an unknown underground location. Buzzing sounds effects can be heard whenever the train lights flicker on and off, which works well with moments of complete darkness to build intensity. One film that comes to mind when discussing sound to create tension is The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock. In many scenes we are watching and waiting as the occasional bird call breaks the eerie silence. I think also that highlighting silence in a film is unexpected itself, and so we as the audience become unsure of the character we are watching, and wonder if their actions will also be unconventional.

Select from one of the readings, up to but not including Week 5, and briefly describe two points that you have taken from it. Points that excite you, something that was completely new to you. 

Reading: Bresson, R. Notes on the cinematographer, Sight and Hearing.

– Sound and image should not support each other, but must work in turn – like a relay.
This is helpful in thinking about how we will layer sounds and images in our films. Audiences can be impacted by strong visuals, then taken in another direction with sound and vise versa.

– The eye solicited alone makes the ear impatient, the ear solicited alone makes the eye impatient. But these impatiencies can be used to create a mood, atmosphere, tension, comedic moment etc. This also sets a pace for the film and guides the audience through the reactions we want them to experience.

In the tute we screened a short film called Rolling – a film made in Film-TV1 a few years ago. In 300 words or less describe what you thought worked or didn’t. At this stage we don’t expect you to have a great deal of film knowledge or language. Don’t be afraid to use your own words. Things you could talk about – script, casting, timing, camera movement, location. You may not remember much detail, if so, it could be helpful to talk about your first impressions, after all this is what most of us are left with after one viewing.

I really enjoyed watching the film Rolling. I think that the storyline was simple yet engaging, sweet and humorous. Given that the setting and circumstances didn’t change much, the actors a chance to really express their characters and explore the dynamic of their relationship.

I thought that the male actor did a great job in remaining believable, and we were totally on his side from the beginning of the film. The script was natural and conversational, which is important when presenting real life, although I thought that some dialogue from the female actress appeared a bit too forced.

I didn’t really like the look of the supermarket where most of the film was shot. The characters were very personable, yet the setting was cold and the fluorescent. The fixed lighting also gave a strange effect when the camera moved, throwing off the white balance, which was a little distracting. Another shooting location probably wouldn’t have worked with the script, as the toilet paper was the main comedic aspect to the film, but perhaps a different lighting set up could have helped.

The timing of the dialogue was great, and really gave a sense of each character’s personality and unique traits.