Thomas Hatchman S3381278 – RMIT University
FILM TV1 – Media and Communications
Analysis & Reflection – Week 3 Blog Questions & Responses:
1. In the film Clown Train how does sound contribute to the atmosphere of this film? Describe what you heard?
Response: This film was definitely an enjoyable film to watch! The concept and idea was clever and mysterious and leaves you on the edge of your seat. From a technical and stylistic point of view, I think the students who created this film have done a great job to create a dynamic relationship between what the audience sees (visual composition/framing) and the sound.
In saying this, sound is key concept here. During the opening scenes of the film, we hear quite a strong high pitch screeching sound. This automatically suggests to the audience that the film has some type of dramatic or mysterious connotation associated to it. There is no strong rhythm here, but perhaps a variety of distorted sharp high and low attacks. In the first frame, when the train begins to slow down, the sound spirals downwards and eventually stops. It is at this point that the sound reduces in volume and the atmosphere changes.
Visually, we see a young man and a clown secluded on a train carriage. It is here, where the audience is given some understanding about the situation at hand. During this time, there is a major shift in the volume, pitch and frequency of the sound. The screeching has stopped to a bellowing halt and the sound has become dry and saturated. It almost sounds muffled and grainy. As the film progresses and the story develops it appears the lights in the carriage begin to short-circuit. The lights begin to flicker fast as they loose power and we hear sharp bright crisp peaks, which are higher in pitch and volume. After the lights short circuit they stop flickering and become back to normal. The sound of the train screeching has stopped and the only sound we hear is verbal dialogue. However as the story evolves the atmosphere intensifies, and louder more mysterious sounds evolve. This helps to keep the intensity and suspense of the film constant.
At the conclusion of the film, the sound changes quite dramatically for the last time. As the film ends and the credits begin to scroll. Dark mysterious piercing sounds are used as we assume the train has begun moving again. The sounds are deep, congested and aggressive.
Furthermore, I want to last of all, draw on other elements of the film, and how these elements contribute and support how the sound is utilized. Specifically the use of mise-en-scene elements such as the lighting and costumes, definitely contribute to how the sound in this scene has been portrayed. Due to the nature of this film, and the way it has been shot and framed, we can conclude that the sound most certainly helps audiences determine the circumstances and relationships within the film, as well as the genre and overall theme.
Can you make reference to another genre film and how they utilize sound to create tension and a unique filmic space?
The famous ‘shower’ scene from the 1960’s film Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock was definitely a film that came to mind. Psycho was a horror film starring Janet Leigh as Marion Crane and Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates the killer. I choose this film because, of its suspenseful horror scenes, and because it uses similar types of sound to that of Clown Train. This particular scene certainly utilizes filmic space well to create suspense and to also increase the dramatic tension. It is filmed in a bathroom so it is a claustrophobic environment and the victim in the scene has no escape.
2. 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.
Response:
Week 3 Alten S. Audio in Media, (pg. 5-11, pg. 266-286). Belmont: Wadsworth, Sound Design, Creating Sound Design, 1994
POINT 1:
The first point which I took from this reading which was new to me, was the section on Sound Design. According to the reading, sound design is one of the most important elements when it comes to producing a film. Similar to that of a cinematographer, which is responsible for the stylistic elements of a film, the sound designer is responsible for sound. Most people who specialize in this area of filmmaking perform various tasks on a routine basis. This includes selecting and operating microphones, operating the production console, production recording, producing and recording sound effects, producing music, recording and re-recording dialogue, editing and mixing.
POINT 2:
The second point that I got from this reading, which was both new and exciting, was learning about the different functions of sound. I was never aware that in order to create a sound design, you have three elements with which to work, speech sound effects and music. This is because sound doesn’t have as many elements as pictorial design, however it is still considered a formidable agent in communicating cognitive and affective information. Throughout history sound has not only had an informational role but has been a transcending spiritual necessity for the film industry.
3. Multiple Choice
In relation to script character can determine….
Answer:
C: The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes a person
4. In the tutorials this week 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.
Response: My first impressions of this week’s short film ‘Rolling’ were positive. I actually really enjoyed watching the film and thought the students who created it did a wonderful job. I think the film really set the standard for media students doing the course this year. I think this group did well at coming up with a simple and clever narrative structure where they were able to create complex characters in a fairly basic story outline. The script was well written and the story was engaging and creative. The relationships and circumstances were clear but not predictable, which meant there was always the possibility for change.
In terms of casting, I think both actors did a solid job at staying on story. I think the chemistry between them was definitely there, and it was nice to watch how their relationship evolved towards the end of the film. In saying this though, I do believe the male actor was perhaps a little stronger than his female counterpart. He clearly had more experience and did a superior job at staying on character.
Furthermore, I thought the way this film was shot and framed was also really good. It wasn’t a complicated piece of filming but each shot still managed to set the scene and tell the story. I think visually the film was aesthetically pleasing, well framed and choreographed, especially for a student production. The only part of the film that I would criticize would be the eye lines between characters. In some of the shots it appeared that the characters weren’t looking at each other, which made it difficult for the audience to understand what was going on at times.
Overall I think ‘Rolling’ is great example of what is expected from students in this subject. I’m hoping that our group can produce something similar, and really work together to showcase what we’re capable of creating.