Music and Sounds

 

Sound is an extremely important component of any film. Without the sound in our movie it would definitely look and sound awkward with just silence in the background. The sound reflects the current situation and circumstance. It can build suspense and tension that something bad or ominous might occur and it can also indicate the mood of the current scene. In our movie opener there was a wide variety of sounds and music that was used throughout the 2 minutes and each sound or background music was intentionally or deliberately placed to add meaning, emotion, and effect to the viewers and the audience. The usage of these sounds and music makes the movie opener so much more appealing and immersive so it really goes to show the power of sound and just having a beautiful shot isn’t enough. The value of the shot goes hand in hand with what you hear as well as what you see. Which reminds me of what the Beacon guy told us when he came to provide us with knowledge and aid. That one advice was something that resonated with me. 

In our movie opener, from the start there is sound of Hailey’s dad calling out to Hailey. Though you don’t see Hailey’s dad physically, it is still diegetic sound as is something that all children can relate to, when their parents call out to them. The sound of the footsteps of them walking to the car, the noise of the car door and the starting of the car is also heard. Then inside the car was a sound moment that I thought was very innovative and made out movie opener more appealing. Inside the car, you can hear the car noises a vehicle makes when driving which is a Foley I made. Also, you see Hailey’s dad turn on the radio. Then in the radio you hear a women speaking about recent missing person case. I think this was very creative as it enforces the missing person narrative we will have as it foreshadows the future and that this ominous presence in their neighborhood will come to attack Hailey too despite her not even knowing while riding in the car. It was almost as if the radio was a warning or sign for her to not go to the park. When she gets to the park we hear tranquil bird noises to show how everything is serene and peaceful at the moment. There is also a music score of instrumental happy music which is non diegetic.  During this happy music, it’s a simple sequence of Hailey playing around and having fun. Then, she walks over to the swings, and we hear the creaky noise of the swings begin but the optimistic music turns off. This catches the audience off guard as things start to get suspense with only a creepy noise of the swing playing and a scary and ominous music start instead. We see the shadow of the kidnapper come by Hailey and we hear her frantic heartbeat which is sound we added later on. I think the juxtaposition of starting out with a happy music and tranquil bird noises to the stark contrast of suddenly turning off that song and just hearing the creak of the swings added horror to the movie opener and was very well done.