Soundtrack

Soundtrack

I've found great soundtracks from http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/. I have found a piece of music which is called "Interloper". All soundtracks/music scores are produced by Kevin MacLeod, unless otherwise stated. The below images are evidence of investigating soundtracks and a few common Q&As (questions and awnsers) which Kevin has created which may possibly affect my group's opening to a new thriller film production. Please click on each image to enlarge them so they are then readable.

Second Edit to "Opening to a New Thriller Film"

Second Edit to "Opening to a New Thriller Film"

The video below is my version of editing of my group's "Opening to a New Thriller Film". This is our second edit so far. This edit includes our most recent shots that include the snow.

I plan to add more titles and effects, such as video transitions to finalise this version of my edit. There are a number of cuts which are to be made as the 'snow' scene felt as if it has just been put into the opening to make it longer. Prehaps I could add titles between each shot to make it look more dramatic and professional.

Intertextuality - Kill Bill Vol.2 and The Good, Bad, Ugly

Tarantino's use of Intertextuality in "Kill Bill Vol.2" with

"The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"

Intertextuality:

Intertextuality in films is used to enhance a meaning and purpose within a clip and to communicate with the audience about possible upcoming events. The intertextual reference can reference almost anything from a media production such as film, T.V show, drama production, musicals, books and even comic books!

An intertextual reference could be the film itself aswell. For example, "Donnie Darko (2001)" was filmed within 28 days. The amount of time is important as it is an intertextual reference to what Frank - The Bunny Rabbit tells Donnie within the film. Frank tell's Donnie that he only has 28 days until a doomsday event.

An example of a 'comic book' reference can be names of character's. In comic books, the names of characters often use the same initials for their first and second names, a technique used by writers to make sure you remember a character. For example: "Donnie Darko", "Joanie James", and "Sean Smith". Resemble much likeness of the names "Peter Parker", "Black Blot" and "Madame Masque". By using the same initials the character(s) are being represented as superhero-like individuals.

Intertextual references can often include:

• Similar scenes 
• Representation of a character
• Sound
• Same soundtrack
• Iconic camera angles - such as Quinton Tarantino's "low angle car boot shots"
• Plot
• Dialogue
• Costume
• Location   

Quentin Tarantino:

Quentin Tarantino for example uses many intertextual references in his films. He frequently references to cult movies and television, such as the Spaghetti Western and part of the "The Dollar's Trilogy" - "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)" which is directed by Sergio Leone. Tarantino also refers to films which he has directed himself. He often includes a low angle shot which feature main characters looking down directly at the camera. These characters tend to be looking into a car boot or suitcase. This is Tarantino's iconic shot which he tries to use in all films he directs - the shot then communicates with the audience to tell them that the film is decided by Tarantino. This type of shot is his 'trademark'.

Examples of Tarantino's low angle shot:

Death Proof (2007)

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Jackie Brown (1997)



Pulp Fiction (1994)

Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)

Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003) 

Quentin Tarantino also tries to include a "Mexican Standoff" in each of this films. Thus referring to the ending of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)" when it was introduced into films. The "Mexican Standoff" is when three or more individuals engage in a confrontation where each participant holds power over an opponent, yet is at mercy with another opponent. Below are examples of Tarantino's reference:




Reservoir Dogs (1992)



True Romance (1993)



Pulp Fiction (1994)

 



Graveyard Scene in Kill Bill Vol.2:

Tarantino's most recognizable intertextual reference to Sergio Leone's films is the use of the soundtracks from "The Dollar's Trilogy". The first soundtrack is used in the opening sequence of the "Graveyard" scene in Kill Bill Vol.2 when The Bride confronts Bud. The soundtrack is called "A Fistful of Dollars" which is from the first film in the trilogy. It's very powerful and heroic. It represents The Bride's entrance being associated with the heroic-ness of "The Good" (Blondie), but then being kicked back down to a low hierarchy statues by Bud because he is seen towering above her while she is laying on the ground.

Tarantino uses a graveyard to establish the surrounding area as being lifeless, barren-like and desolate just like a desert. By doing this, the character The Bride is represented as if she has no chance of being rescued. She is at the mercy of a character called Bud (Bill's brother) whose archetype is represented as being "The Ugly". Just like how Tuco captures Blondie, and then forces him to walk across the desert - which is lifeless, barren and desloated, just like the graveyard.

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The title of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" explains the three main character-archetype of Sergio Leone's western:

"The Good" - Blondie. Blondie is the main hero of the film. In Kill Bill Vol.2, The Bride is the hero and thus being represented as "The Good". This archetype is the 'good guy'.

"The Bad" - Sentenza (aka "Angle Eyes"). Sentenza is the main villain of the film and emery to Blondie. In Kill Bill Vol.2, Bill is represented as being "The Bad". He is emery to The Bride. This  archetype is the 'bad guy'.

"The Ugly" - Tuco. "The Ugly" is full of greed and is found between "The Good" and "The Bad". This is Bill's brother Bud.  

The location of the graveyard in Kill Bill Vol.2 can be seen as an intertextual reference because the scene then cuts to a graveyard in the 'middle of nowhere' - a barren-like area. This could also be seen as an intertextual referecne to "Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" (2007).

'Jesse James' is mainly set in fields and barren-like locations, much like "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" aswell as in the graveyard scene of "Kill Bill Vol.2". It is an intertextual reference because of the use of a descent-like area as a location.

The costume in 'Jesse James' is also very similar to the type of Western costume used in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly", perhaps it inspired the costume for 'Jesse James' and many other westerns.

The costume which The Bride wears during the graveyard scene in "Kill Bill Vol.2" is a slight intertextual reference to Blondies' costume. The close up shot of the 'cowboy' boots The Bride wears this is intertextual reference, which 'film-buffs' look out for within Tarantio's films. By wearing these boots, the reference is to portray the heroic statues of Blondie - the 'shoes which The Bride is trying to fill. The non-deigetic soundtrack is very heroic and powerful, this too also represents the states of Blondie.

Tarantion's second most recognizable intertextual reference to Sergio Leone's "The Dollar's Trilogy" is by using a second soundtrack from the trilogy. This non-deigetic soundtrack is called "Ecstasy of Gold", and is from the ending scene of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" during the Mexican standoff. The soundtrack, "Ecstasy of Gold" is very musically rondo. The rondo within the soundtrack could possibly represent the constant battle between the three main characters during the Mexican standoff - the soundtrack will not change until one of them 'makes a move' on another.


In terms of relating the non-degetic soundtrack to the graveyard scene in "Kill Bill Vol.2", the battle is between The Bride and Bud as The Bride has no dialogue which is spoken towards Bud throughout the entire film. This resemples much likeness of the silence during the ending scene of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". "Ecstasy of Gold" is often used within the Western genre as a tribute to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". For example, Adam Oxsen's film is named after the soundtrack - "Esctasy of Gold" (2009) and includes very simliar scenes from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly".

 

Investigating Soundtrack - Investigating Copyright

Investigating Soundtrack - Investigating Copyright

Myself and James where originally going to use soundtracks from www.freeplaymusic.com. We both carefully looked at their licence agreements on their website to figure out if we can, or can not use tracks from the site. We found this process rather difficult, so we then decided to e-mail Mr.Seal (one of the media studies teachers) to help us investigate this important issue.

Below I have embedded the content from the emails. Please click on the Show/Hide (spoiler bar) buttons to display these images. The please click the image to enlarge the selection. This then means that the content is readable.

Alliteratively, open one image up. Then use Blogspot's viewing option by clicking on the arrows on either side.

Please notice that the screen shots have been edited to hide any personal information that should not be shared publicly - such as email addresses, specific names, places, personal information such as date of birth and postcode addresses unless given authorized permission was/is granted. (If any more information that needs to be covered e.g. "g.seal". Please message me via an email and I will proceed to do so).

Images are at bottom of post. (Please view images at this stage. Thank you).

The result is rather disappointing, and rather costly if we chose to pay the fee! However, Myself and James have other possible choices for soundtrack's which use a Creative Commons licence.

Myself and James' progress is very stable. Because our clips are around 95% completed in editing them together, we can start to focus on fonts of titles and finding/using more possible soundtracks. 

Editing Progress

Editing Progress

Myself and James continued to edit on the school's computers today (20th Feb 2012) and it was very successful. We applied a black and white filter to our clips. We applied a b/w filter because we believe the contrast in these two colours (black and white) create a stronger mood in the mise-en-scene and also establishes a 'gritty' and 'dark' theme throughout.  

We also managed to include scenes which we recently filmed in this edit. These are the scenes which featured the characters Austen and James in a snowy location. This then extended our opening to a total duration of 1minute 50secs (about), whereas without these clips it was 1minute 20sec.

A vast improvement indeed!

New Footage/New Scenes

New Footage/New Scenes

Myself and James have recently filmed new footage to extend our "Opening To A New Thriller Film" as we needed to have a longer viewing time. These new shots include both the victim - Austen, and his 'follower' - James.

These new shots where filmed in a snowy outdoor location. Because the location is completely different and also the weather and costume, our opening film has a sense of movement in time. 

By doing this, we can tell our audience that James has been following Austen for a long time whereas originality we had no explanation about the pair's relationship and past. This will then build up a deeper feeling of tension and suspense to the film's climax as James gets closer and closer to Austen.

Playlist can be found on YouTube using this link:
 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA5C38EEC83C01FA&feature=mh_lolz 

(Please note: Do not stop the video. 
It'll automatically show/play the next video after the first has finished and so on)
(Total duration: 1:56)

           

If The Soundtrack Choice Isn't 'Right'?

What Happens If The Soundtrack 

Choice Isn't 'Right'?
(Independent research)

This post relates back to my eailer post named: 

"The Importance of an 'Excellent' Soundtrack Within a Film"
This post can be viewed HERE.

It also includes information about the opening of Jackie Brown (1997).
You can view my case study HERE.

If the soundtrack used with a selected clip doesn't fit well, or even isn't even 'right' for the scene, then the whole atmosphere, mood, setting, and mise-en-scene is completely lost.

For example, the opening of "Jackie Brown" (1997) uses an upbeat, powerful, and jazz-like non-diegectic soundtrack called "Across 110th Street" by Bobby Womack (birth name: Bobby Dwayne Womack). It immediately establishes the character of  Jackie Brown as being glamorous, upbeat and lively. 

However, thanks to the director Quentin Tarantino, he has offered an alternative opening sequence in the DVD extras.

He uses the opening to represent the film very differently. He shows us that if a different soundtrack was used, the whole opening loses the correct atmosphere and setting for the rest of the film. The opening of a film is very important as it hooks the audiences' attention. 

Instead, he shows the film's genre as being more a comedy because of Jackie Brown's comical movements and by using "Miserlou" by "Dick Dale" as the soundtrack. Whereas the original is very serious because Jackie Brown is standing still without movement because she is working
(has a job) and moving along a treadmill.

Even through the alternative soundtrack is also very upbeat and powerful due to the use of an electric guitar and the paste of the music, it may capture her upbeat personality, however it still doesn't exactly 'capture' Jackie Brown's characteristics. Whereas in the original, the audience finds it very hard to read Jackie Brown as her facial expression and pose is very neutral.

This is why it is important to pick the correct type of soundtrack to use in mine and James' thriller opening. To keep the audience in suspense and wanting to watch the rest of the film to find out more information about the characters, story, and even how the genre of the film is represented.

The Third Man (1949)

The Third Man (1949)

"Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime." - IMDb

"The Third Man" is a British production which was released in 1949. Directed and produced by Carol Reed. It's a classic example of a black and white noir-film thriller because of the use of chiaroscuro lighting, unique silhouette arrangements and lastly by the use of very bold tilt shots throughout the film. The target audience of this film is likely to be middle aged males rather then females. The film's appeal to males is that of the mystery in the story as well as the main characters being males having anti-hero characteristics.

The opening to "The Third Man" consists of titles with an extreme close up of a musical interment. This musical instrument is called a Zither. The camera shows the Zither playing the official soundtrack/theme tune of the film. This scene lasts for around 2 minutes. These 2 minutes is for the audience to settle down and to get engaged with the film. The titles also show the actresses' and actor's roles. Nowadays, these titles/credits are usually shown at the end of the film. By having this very repetitive soundtrack, it builds up suspense for the audience.

The use of the Zither can be seen as a cultural signifier. It also represents the characteristic archetype of "Harry Lime" - one of the main characters. The use of the strings represents how Harry 'plays' with people, especially his friends. The soundtrack also creates an evoking feeling of dangerous intention and mystery, another characteristic of Harry Lime.  - If you have seen the film before, then this should make sense, if not, It'll be explained later on in this post

Close up of a pair of hands smuggling watches. The watches can represent the film's location as being corrupted and dangerous. This is because the shot shows the illegal acts of a black market within the mice-en-scene. This is then backed up by an appearance of a mysterious body floating in a river bank in the next scene. The body also represents corruption and the genre of the film. The ship is tilted which can suggest distress because the ship is not levelled properly in the water - it is sinking, much like the moral of the people. Lastly, the glass can represent Vienna as being fractured into broken sections - this is explained later in more detail about the film's historical setting.

The body is in complete darkness with no way of identifying who he or she is. This adds mystery and suspense to the scene. The body and ship are 'abandoned' and have been 'dumped' into the river. This tells the audience that the area is a dangerous place to be around and sets the atmosphere of the film's genre. 






The whole river bank looks very marshland-like because of the use of natural ambient lighting. I see this as an intertextual reference to "Essex Boys" (2000) when a male character beats up a man and leaves him beside the marshland to possibly die and 'float' away. The bodies are also both solid black silhouettes within the mise-en-scene.


The camera cuts to a handful of establishing shots of the film's historical setting and location - Vienna. These shots each differentiate between close ups and medium shots. One in particular is very important to establish the film's historical period and setting. This is the scene which the camera shows the flags and soldiers from the British, Russian, America (U.S) and French armies. This then tells the audience that there is tension within the city because of the battle between ownership, and that the film is historically set just before the beginning of The Cold War (approx. 1945-1991).

The film introduces a character called Holly Martins, who is looking for his friend Harry Lime, only to find out that Harry Lime has been killed. Holly's costume is like a detective-like suit/outfit, for example, the children's T.V. show Inspector Gadget. The long dark tweed coat and trilby hat has influenced many films, for example "Once Upon A Time In America" (1984). Because of this type of costume, it is seen as a generic convention within the thriller genre.
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Holly walks under a ladder that is located outside Harry's apartment. Walking under a ladder is an old superstition of getting bad luck. The director Carol Reed uses this superstition of bad luck to tell the audience about possible events and possible future events. Another example of this representation of an object is the reflection of lights on a car window in "Essex Boys" that look like jail bars. This is to portray a future event which the characters could be going to jail.

Holly arrives at Harry's apartment only to find an old German man who speaks very little English. Carol Reed uses this technique of language to make the audience feel uncomfortable. This is done by using no sub-titles when the pair exchange dialogue to make the audience be in the same 'boat' as Holly. The camera angles between the character's dialogue are mostly tilted close ups which create a feel of disorientation and confusion - much like the pair's conversation. The high angle shots of looking down at Holly shows his vulnerability. Because of this, it then adds suspense and tension to wherever or not if Holly understands the old German man for the audience.

During the film, Holly becomes friends a character called Anna. Anna is represented as being very intriguing and subtle, much like the Mona Lisa portrait. Anna is also shown as being mysterious, puzzling and having clam body language towards the audience, again, much like the  Mona Lisa portrait.

Holly has been searching for his friend Harry Lime, suspecting that Harry wasn't killed at all. Holly's expectations then become very clear to him - Harry was playing a trick on everyone, just as if hes 'playing' with them. Much like the murder mystery "Cludo" board game. The appearance of Harry Lime is very cinematically famous. The tilted shot of the archway is very haunting, mysterious and very Gothic due to the use of chiaroscuro lighting and the diegectic sound of a cat's "meow" - Cats are often associated with witches, hence the Gothic appeal. 

Holly taunts the doorway, suspecting someone is there. The tone and words used in the dialogue: 

"Cat got your tongue?...C'mon out..........Come out, come out, whoever you are!" 

Reminds me very much of:

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" (1:04)

From the film "Cape Fear" (1991). This can be see as an intertextual reference between the two films as both characters use similar dialogue in a similar situation - a man looking for another man.

Another intertextual reference was used in the BBC 1 production "Sherlock" (2010+) (series 2 ending). This is by the use of a vehicle. The car in The Third Man stops Holly Martins reaching Harry Lime. By the time Holly reaches the position where Harry was standing, Harry has mysteriously disappeared into the dark noir doorway as if by magic. The intertextual reference is by the use of a vehicle (or a 'mode of transport') that obscures a character's view and reaching their goal to aid and help the other character.