Baby driver - An Action Adventure film

The purpose of this media product is for entertainment and a thrill factor as baby
driver comes under the adventure genre. Within this foot chase scene, there are
many elements of sound such as dialogue, music, ambient sounds and sound effects.
The backing music in this case is diegetic to the protagonist Baby, as he is listening
to it through his headphones, however this song has been heightened to non diegetic
sound for the audiences satisfaction and to heighten the tension and energy. The
song chosen is ‘hocus Pocus’. The main instruments used in this song are electric
guitars and drums, commonly used to build up energy due to the harsh sounds that
change in tempo and amplitude. The use of using a song in fighting or chasing
scenes is common within action and comedy films to heighten the scene and ad more
energy - keeping the viewer engaged throughout the demanding visuals. The song
and the visuals work hand in hand as the ambient soundscape sounds often
synchronises with the song, such as alarms, the propellers of the helicopter and
sirens. The songs tempo changes as the action heightens and lowers e.g the song
switches from a fast tempo of instruments, to vocals, creating tension and giving the
audience a break from the chaotic instruments, when Baby is temporarily hidden in
the store. However, the song then switches back when he sets off the alarm and
gives away his location to the police chasing after him. Diegetic dialogue can be
heard clearly over the song too, occasionally with the amplification slightly lowered
and made blurred in order for the audience to focus on what is being said. As well as
dialogue, you can hear ambient sounds in order to keep this scene realistic and
exemplify the fact this music is playing in Baby’s headphones. The sound effects from
the guns also go in time with the music for audience satisfaction. One interesting
feature that the sound director included is that the audience can hear the music from
the stores behind Hocus Pocus in a way that the two songs mix well.
Operator - A Short film
Operator starts with a sound bridge, where the audience can hear the diegetic sounds of keyboards
tapping and people talking. This technique allows the viewer to take in the sounds before they see any
visuals, increasing their focus on what is being said. The sound here is representative of what would be
heard if you were in the room with all of the service operators. This sets a realistic start to the narrative. As
well as being able to hear the call takers, you are able to hear the people on the other end of the call
through the phone/ headset. We are then brought to one call taker dealing with a lady calling in because
of a fire. Immediately we can hear her shouting, however, we are kept only focusing on the call taker
throughout the narrative while this story unfolds. This technique of telling and not showing creates tension
and suspense throughout this film as you create your own visuals in your head of what could be
happening on the other side of the phone. Despite only being shown the call taker responding, we are
focusing on the words said and the discussion, rather than what is being shown. Here the dialogue is
much more captivating and focused on, rather than the visuals. The camera work is slow and the editing is
simple in order to not distract the audience from what is being said. As we cannot see what the women is
experiencing in her home, it reflects the suspense that the operators have to go through on a daily basis
as they also can’t see what is going on or physically help, they have to remain calm and focus purely on
the information they are being told. The ambient sound of the fire in the background creates tension as it
is a constant reminder of the danger. There is a crescendo while the mother is trying to make it upstairs to
her son as the non diegetic fire and white noise increases. This again creates suspense as the harsh
white noise is also associated with making younger people or women feel sick (due to the structure in their
ears), it is also an intense and unpleasant to the ear. Other ambient sounds are used, such as the fire
engines, again making this piece even more realistic. After the call ends, the room of the call takers and
the audience is silent, creating an immersive experience. This silence is extremely important andis
perhaps one of the most important features of sound as it finally gives the viewer a break after 5 minutes
of an intense call. This break creates relief for the audience and allows the viewer to take in everything. As
the purpose of this short film is to, not only create tension, but to emphasise the importance of service
operators and the call takers and show people what it is like for both of the people on each side of the call.
After this break for a few seconds, the call taker answers another call and the ambient sounds fade in
again - highlighting that this situation is extremely repetitive.
Home alone - A Family Film
I have decided to analyze a scene from Home Alone, where the protagonist is throwing bricks at the two bad
guys. From watching this movie and noticing the sounds, I have picked up on multiple scores throughout the
film to add character and humour. Throughout this scene, the score cuts in and out during comedic parts or
when we cut to the protagonist on the roof. The effect of this brings character to the protagonist as the string
and wind instruments create a mysterious and cunning tone, reflecting the protagonist's personality. The string
instruments are often sharp, low pitched with a tempo that switches between fast and slow. The wind
instruments, high pitched and smooth, again switching from a fast tempo to slow, creates a mysterious tone. In
addition, these instruments seem effortless, indicating that the protagonists creative and cunning side comes
naturally to him. These sharp and quick string noises could typically appear in horror films, building up tension,
which is what is is doing in this film. However the genre of this film is Comedy and/or family, therefore the
instruments used are connoting tension and anticipating action, however the comedic tone keeps it family
friendly and suitable for the family based audience. Moreover, if you were to listen to this scene with the score
taken out, this scene could then be perceived as quite sinister and appropriate for children. The score keeps
this scene lighthearted and adds a charming character for the protagonist. Furthermore, the non-diegetic sound
of the bricks being thrown down (later added in during editing) creates a comedic effect, adding to the
lighthearted side to this scene. This sound effect would have been created during the foley process, helping to
emphasise the sound and add suspense and humour. As you wouldn’t notice this sound in real life, this
exaggerated sound contributes to the humorous side as features are often emphasised for comedic purposes.
The exaggerated non-diegetic sound of the brick crashing against the floor and onto the characters head is
also made during foley for the same purposes. Multiple sound bridges of the score are used within this scene
to tie in the action of the protagonist and the effect it has on the bad guys. These sound bridges are effective
as the whole film revolves around these men chasing the protagonist, therefore these sound bridges further
symbolise their connection with each other and how the men won’t leave the protagonist alone. Furthermore,
the soundbridges indicate that more action is to come as the ending of this scene features a soundbridge and
the man running off, followed by the protagonist also leaving the scene, indicating that the two will meet again.
Mario Kart - Nintendo game
The purpose of this media product is to supply entertainment through technology.
Mario Kart is an extremely popular game, belonging to Nintendo, appealing to both
genders and to a wide range of ages from children to adults. As well as quirky
characters, a variety of unique tracks and activities, the music and sounds contribute
to Mario Kart’s fun aesthetic. The types of sounds you would notice during game
play are mostly higher in tone, hold a fast tempo and are computer generated. In
Mario Kart, most noises are computer generated. Focusing on the sounds you would
hear after you select a button, they are often high pitched sounds, replicating
sparkles or twinkles, contributing to the futuristic and magical aesthetic of the game.
Moreover, once you have selected a character, they talk e.g Princess Peach says
“lets go”, other characters laugh or cheer etc... - adding to the many interactive
features Mario Kart has and adding personality to the characters you are playing as.
Sound, especially the scores and soundtracks, are used to replicate high energy and
contribute to the experience of driving fast in a competitive style. The music during
tracks, played in the background, reflect the type of track you are playing on, helping
immerse the player further into the gameplay. Another element of sound in each
track, are the items you can pick up and use. These sounds are computer generated
and help to accentuate what is being shown on screen. All of these sound effects
and soundtracks help to immerse the players into the competitiveness and overall
thrilling, heart pumping experience of the game. The effect of the chaotic sound
effects and fast tempo soundtracks contribute to the intensity of winning each game.
From an outsider, these noises may seem overly chaotic, however, as the gamer,
they enhance the experience dramatically. In addition, to those gamers who play
Mario Kart for nostalgia, the sound designers of Mario Kart have done a successful
job of replicating all of the basic elements of sound that make Mario Kart timeless
and memorable. As well as improving their quality of sound effects and scores, they
have stuck to their routes and kept Mario Kart authentic through their use of sound.
“In a heartbeat” - An Animated short Film
The purpose of this media product is to touch people's hearts and spread a positive message about love.
This heart warming animation has been made to support of the LGBT community, but in a lighthearted and
moving way, in a more entertaining form that appeals to the younger generation and kids. Sound is used in
this animation in a number of ways, from the creators using foley to composed music. Foley sound effects
have been created in order to make this animation more realistic, such as, the footsteps on the ground,
hands moving along the tree, the boys hand catching the apple etc… The computer generated noises have
been used to appeal to the younger children but also adds to the light hearted nature of this animation.
Examples include; the spinning of the apple, the heart beat (emphasised for comedic effect), the slow-
motion effect, the flying noises for the heart etc… Personally, I think the mixture of foley and computer
generated sounds is an effective balance as all sounds featured add to the visuals on screen. The focus on
Foley, and making the short film realistic is as important as the computer generated effects, making it
appealing and playful. This way, the short film is able to attract a range of people. All round, the sound
doesn't distract you from what is shown on screen, instead enhancing the playfulness of this animation.
Furthermore, throughout this film, there are pauses where the audience has a couple of seconds to notice
the ambient sounds that have also been included in the background. This happens twice, after two
embarrassing moments for the main character, making the audience perhaps feel the discomfort or
embarrassment that the character himself may be feeling. The sounds I can notice in these pauses are
footsteps, people talking and shouting in the distance and general environmental sounds such as wind, birds
and traffic. Despite being able to hear all of these noises, they have been made very subtle and less
noticeable during the first watching. This is more effective than the sound just cutting off and it being silent
as it emphasises the realism displayed in this animation. Moreover, The music used in this short film is
instrumental and consist mostly of piano with wind and string instruments. These instruments together are
often used in films in order to strengthen the audience's emotions and provoke feelings. Furthermore, as the
music is purely instrumental with no lyrics, it allows the viewer to focus more on the visual content, rather
than get distracted. The music includes crescendos, as well as a rise and fall in tempo and amplification in
order to heighten moments within this film. As throughout this film, we see different emotions felt and panic
from the main character, this rise and fall in tension within the music reflects that. The music at the final
slowly decreases in tempo, until the song comes to an end, much like the story coming to a happy ending.