Sound Editing

The overall process of editing the sound for this project was an extremely challenging one and an extremely rewarding one. I certainly enjoyed myself for the most part and feel that I learned a lot about Soundtrack Pro and how to edit sound in general. I learnt how to implement sound effects and make very subtle changes to the mix in order to make it flow and sound more natural.

The biggest challenge of the project was the argument scene. One section in particular taught me a lot about dialogue editing. Since during the visual edit me and Joeley decided to use a lot of cuts in this scene in order to make it look more fragmented and increase the pace and tension. This meant that I was editing phrases that go over 3 or 4 takes to different shots where the dialogue is not the same. The part where James says "and it's been going cold while you've been fuckin' about with your mates" was extremely difficult as I actually had to remove words from the dialogue to make it fit the images. He originally said "and it's probably going cold" for example. Removing "probably" brought the dialogue forward so it would match when we cut back to that same take. I cut out the right section in order to make it sound like he was saying "been" instead of "probably" when his words slurred together. This was painstaking, but worthwhile in my opinion.

Getting good atmos tracks was surprisingly difficult. Especially as the house itself doesn't have all that much background noise. I managed to anchor the sound using a ticking clock quite often (which I increased the volume of throughout the piece to represent him slowly getting worse), but for some scenes there isn't an appropriate atmosphere.

If I had had another day to edit the sound I probably could have gone back to it and just finely tuned a few more elements to perfect it more, but overall I'm pretty happy with what I did. Considering it's the first time I've edited sound for a project like that I think I did a good job.

Soundtrack (Music)

I was tasked with composing the music for our drama project as I enthusiastically requested that role.
Rhys requested something tragic with piano and strings and so that is the direction I went initially. I started with a basic piano melody on it's own and then brought in arpeggio's on the lower register and eventually some atmospheric strings. I really like the piece I created, but I knew once it was done that it was just too overblown. If it was put over any scenes in a conventional drama it would have bordered on parody.

So I essentially started again and made something a little more sparse. Starting with a held, high pitched string note and then bringing in some very frail piano. I also added a drum beat to the track that comes in when the track repeats, but I don't think the sound was quite right. I think the early part of this piece would have been appropriate for some scenes, but it wasn't quite right.

I experimented with a couple of other attempts and finally ended up with two piano chords that I thought were gorgeous. They're the chords at the beginning of the final piece. Once I had those in place I went from there and wrote everything else. Rhys had a heard a Deadmau5 track in my car that ended on quite ambient piano chords with a soft drum track and requested I do something like that. I added a subtle drum beat and some atmospheric sounds eventually bringing in a basic synth sound for a melody on top of the piano chords. I then went through and fine tuned it so that the synth wasn't too overpowering and the drum sounds were just right and it ended up being the piece we used which I am very happy with.

Pudding Bowl

Okay... So I have a SEVERE emotional reaction to the kind of situation that this film presents. Namely a young girl who is not conventionally pretty being hopeful and optimistic. I find it so, so tragic because of the society we live in and while this short had a wonderfully happy ending (beautifully shot) I can't help but be aware of that reality and it really does destroy me. I found it very difficult to watch even though it's not really the saddest thing I've ever seen. There's just something about that subject matter that gets to me more than most things.

The casting for this role was perfect and the girl does a fantastic job. Her joy at the end is infectious while her reaction to the awful haircut she suffers truly is depressing. Sound is generally used well. I was impressed by the cutting and pasting sound effects at the start.

To be honest I don't want to talk about this one too much. Mostly just wanted to talk about the effect that it had on me. I'm just glad I didn't see it in class.

I Do Air

This was a pretty unconventional piece due to its lack of dialogue and intricate use of sound. It impressed me in many ways such as its incredible ability to get the audience to empathize with a little girl who doesn't even speak. The sound design is truly excellent and makes me hopeful for what I might be able to achieve in the future. It's nice to be reminded that sound design does play such an important role and can even be one of the main elements of a film.

All the shots are tremendously well considered. Everything seems to be done to make the girl appear small and fragile in this world on divers and synchronized swimmers. The use of soft focus for the final underwater shots is pretty superb and really gets across that dreamy feel. We almost don't know if this is an actual event or not. It is beautiful to look at and, in terms of the narrative, pretty upbeat and optimistic.

My Name is Lisa

This was recommended to me by Joeley as it relates to the subject matter and style of our drama. I found it a pretty painful watch as I knew what was coming from the beginning. Watching the girl tear into her mother even though we know it's not the mother's fault is very hard to watch, but very well done. This seems like a realistic reaction from the character that is set up from the opening shot. She is intelligent and maybe a little elitist and so without and understanding of her mother's condition she would be bound to lash out. It's tragic and the actor's pull it off excellently.

What I found most interesting about this was its use of music. All the music appears to be in a major key which is odd considering the tragic subject matter. I think this is pretty effective as it lures the audience into a false sense of security much like Lisa herself. There is even a sort of comedic music cue in a couple of scenes as if we're supposed to fund it funny, but as the film goes one we see that it really is not funny at all.

The film certainly got to me and had the intended effect on my emotions which is impressive. It's use of bright sunny days and primary colours is, like the music, misleading and well implemented. It's like the disease is just under the surface slowly bubbling up and the director has considered this in all aspects of the film from shot selection, to music and costuming. Not all the shots are fantastic, but in general it is well shot and edited and certainly packs an emotional punch.

Script

The script was sent to me while I was on holiday with my family in Barbados. I appreciated this as it meant I could be involved with the project even though I wasn't able to be there. I helped a little with editing the script and adding a couple of scenes. It was my idea to have the homework scene and the cup of tea scene, though the homework scene never made it into the final piece.

Overall I was quite happy with the script. I think it tackles its issues with care and does have a fairly emotional punch. I was worried that it would require fairly talented actors to pull off however.

FADE IN:

INT. DINING ROOM #1 – DAY

DAUGHTER is layed down on back. She has tears running down her face and is laying still as if not daring to move. Her FATHER is stood up away from where she is laying and has the expression of both shock and guilt on his face. He leaves the room walking out the front door and is followed around by the eyeline of his DAUGHTER still unmoved on the floor.

As the door shuts cut to...

INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

FATHER is sitting next to DAUGHTER, on the table are open homework books. DAUGHTER is writing and FATHER is pointing to a page in a book.

                     DAUGHTER (exasperated)

               I'll never finish this! Only a week for planning!

                     FATHER (kindly)

               Don't worry, we'll get it done together, flower.

FATHER smiles as he watches DAUGHTER writing.

INT. BEDROOM #2 - DAY

Tracking through the bedroom, we see the bedside table with the pictures of the family happy in different places, a flower is beside a picture of the Wife. The camera tracks round to reveal FATHER in his bedroom smoking, we see him take up the picture of the Wife and look at it lovingly with tears in his eyes before he puts it down and taking up his pills, rattles them and sighs before popping off the cap and taking them.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Fixed camera shot, FATHER paces up and down in room as he is unable to sleep.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

FATHER opens fridge and begins to pile up food.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

DAUGHTER walks into living room with school bag, getting ready for school. She see's FATHER slumped on sofa asleep, surrounded by wrappers. Sighing, DAUGHTER drops her school bag and begins to clean up the empty wrappers; she abandons the task and shakes FATHER awake, he wakes with a jump.

                     FATHER (groggily)

               Eh? Sorry, I didn't sleep.

                     DAUGHTER (annoyed)

               I can see that. I'm going to school.

DAUGHTER collects her school bag and leaves.

INT. DINING ROOM #3 - DAY

FATHER is sitting by the dining room table in front of two plates of pasta placed symmetrically on the table with an empty seat opposite him where someone should be sat. DAUGHTER walks into house through the front door wearing school bag.

DAUGHTER

Hi dad, I’m home.

FATHER

(Ecstatically) Hi flower, I made us dinner, look! Took me a long time. Come on, tuck in! How's your day been?

DAUGHTER

(Smiles unconvincing) Well... this is nice. Thanks dad. How are you feeling today? What have you done? Have you taken your pills?

DAUGHTER takes pills and reaches out to give them to him. He takes them kindly and puts them next to him.

FATHER

Yes, yeah. Don’t worry about me flower. I’m more bothered about you.

DAUGHTER

Thanks dad. (Smiles) It’s nice to see you like this.

They share a smile and carry on eating.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

DAUGHTER brings FATHER a cup of tea, FATHER is sat on sofa beside side table with vacant expression on face, staring into middle distance. DAUGHTER tries to offer FATHER the cup of tea but he doesn't respond or acknowledge her presence so she puts the tea on the side table.

                    

DAUGHTER (reluctant to bring it up)

It's been a year…(pause) Shall we go visit mum tomorrow?

FATHER continues to blank DAUGHTER. DAUGHTER leaves, trying to hide her expression.

CUT TO:

INT.  KITCHEN - DAY

Opens with wide shot of kitchen, DAUGHTER is sat on kitchen surface with head in hands, sobbing is very audible and exaggerated.

I/E. CAR #4 - NIGHT

FATHER is sitting in car staring dreamlessly forward out of the windscreen. Stays there all evening.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

DAUGHTER is sat reading, FATHER comes in with a bunch of flowers.

               FATHER (happily)

          I bought some flowers to take for mum.

         

               DAUGHTER (confused)

          I thought you didn't wanna go?

               FATHER

          Of course I want to go, flower! Are you coming?

INT. LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM #5 - DAY

Daughter returns home from school. Her father is sat at the Dining Room table looking down at the food not eating with a cigarette in his mouth.

DAUGHTER

Dad, I’m home.

The father looks up angrily and stands up so fast as to allow his chair to fly back and the table to move slightly. He marches toward her

FATHER

(Raising voice) Where have you been? Dinner has been sitting here for 5 minutes now and it's probably cold, whilst you've been…what? Fucking around outside?!

DAUGHTER

(Trying to cut in) No dad, I was walking home from school…

FATHER (interrupting)

Don’t give me that excuse! You’ve been avoiding coming back because of me haven’t you? You’ve been trying to keep away from me because you think this condition makes me a freak, don’t you?

DAUGHTER

No Dad, it's not like that! I swear, I’m sorry...(Grabs Pills) Look, you need to take your pills.

Father reacts aggressively hitting the pills out of his daughters hand onto the floor. He pushes forward at her.

FATHER

If you hadn’t of been so eager to avoid me this wouldn’t have happened you’re just selfish, all you care about is yourself. You never bothered with anyone else. You'll drive everyone away from you. Just... (pause) Look at what you did to your mother.

Father pushes his daughter to the ground. She lands in the same position as described at the start. There is a moment of unfilled silence as tears stream from her eyes and her father looks at her with a shocked and guilty face. He then walks from the room and leaves the house through the front door. She lays still putting her hands to her face and cries. A car is heard starting and driving off in background.

EXT. BRIDGE #6 - DAY

Father drives up and stops the car. He gets out and walks to the bridge stepping toward the edge. He lights a cigarette and takes out his wallet looking at a picture of his daughter and wife together. A tear rolls down his cheek before he bursts into tears. Shortly after his phone rings, he answers.

DAUGHTER

(Sobbing) Please come home dad. I'm sorry. I just...

FATHER (interrupting)

I’m so sorry flower. (pause) I’m so sorry for everything that's happened…(trails off and hangs up)

Father holds the phone for a moment before putting it away. Still crying, he puts the picture into his back pocket and flicks his fag over the side of the bridge. He then steps up to the side of the bridge looking down and slowly looks up until he is looking directly into the camera.

END