Unit 38 Soundtrack production

For this task I will be analysing three scenes from moving image productions explaining in detail how the elements of sounds are used to create meaning and mood for the audience. My scenes/episodes will include a postproduction studio sound and will also include a live location sound.  The films that I will be analysing are Children of Men, Kingsman the secret service, and Fight Club. I will also be analysing a live documentary called “Stacey Dooley investigates kids selling drugs”.

Children of Men

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCTgUq6hzUk

The first film that I have decided to analyse about is Children of Men and the scene I will analyse is the opening scene. The scene starts off with a diegetic sound of a women and a man’s voice speaking about the tragic and horrific news about the 18-year-old who happened to be the youngest human being in the world (35 seconds), the show on screen would have set the tone of the rest of the film and also shows that there clearly is a fertility problem as the youngest kid in the world was aged only 18. As the film starts to show visual image the atmosphere was quite dull as they have just heard that the youngest kid has just died which mainly suggests that it’s the start of the end of the world. As the camera switches to the TV a slow and emotional beat starts to play (minute 1:24) to suggest that it’s an emotional time not just for the kid’s family for everyone around the world, the beat shown in the background is played to create an emotional mood. Although each individual at the coffee shop is emotional about the recent death the main character (Theo Faron) doesn't seem to affect him. There is ambient sound throughout the opening sequence e.g. traffic noise, crying which creates the atmosphere essential realism to the situation. There is also a sound bridge at the beginning which is spread over the opening credits to the first cuts which gently introduces the context to the audience without it being a great shock revealed all in one clip. There is also a conversation of the main character requesting coffee (minute 1:10), by having less dialogue at the beginning, the clip lets the news report and sound effects create a more dramatic, realistic feel. As he finally leaves the coffee shop, sound of traffic from cars and bikes are strongly played, however he (Theo) walks away from the shop to the nearest bin so he would be able to pour some alcohol into his drink (minute 2:01), which suggest that the main character might have an alcoholic problem, however as he stops to pour the alcohol into his coffee there is suddenly an explosion a few buildings down (minute 2:14), blowing out the wall and sending smoke into the streets. Moments later the camera switches to a front view to feel and see what he is seeing, a non-diegetic ringing sound occurs moments after the explosion as the noise continues throughout the scene to show a gruesome image of a little girl screaming and holding her own arm. The movie title “Children of Men” then flashes across a black screen (minute 2:23). The locations are created as being very typical but at the same time have a little twist to give an insight into the change that has occurred from the present to 2027. For instance, we recognize that the first location is London; reflected through the renowned red London buses and skyscrapers.

Kingsman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tukQDg22o9M

The sounds in this clip are dramatic and at times there are also some heroic sounds because it is required for the effect that it makes. This effect is of something or someone that is becoming either dramatic or heroic. An example is shown when the group of boys enter the pub to look for trouble, the beat that is played in the scene creates a variety of tension between the two character, the sound then moves to a quite sound that fades into a dramatic tune to keep the audience on their toes as they know that an action scene is only moments away. Another effect it creates is realism, it creates an emotional effect towards the audience making them feel suspense. During the fight scene at the pub; hopeful background music begins to fade into the scene, this background music then comes to a sudden end when scene communicates that Harry Hart is exiting the pub and leaving the goons to settle their beef. As Colin Firth (Harry Hart) approaches the door to leave the pub he gets agitated and angry of what has been said to him, a loud and heroic beat starts playing as he approaches the door lock it (47 seconds), an exaggerated sound is used while locking each lock to intimidate the gang. As Colin Firth hits one of the men with a pint glass (minute 1:09) the noise gets louder and higher to show the intensity of the scene. The camera then switches back to Colin Firth (1:14) and the beat slows back down to suggest that he has done this multiple times and has faced bigger and stronger opponents than a gang of 6 men. Throughout the scene the director uses a typical beat to suggest that he is not an ordinary person but however is a spy. Throughout the fight scene the use of diegetic/ hyper real sound is shown to intrigue the audience. An example of diegetic sound that is used in the scene is when Colin Firth pushes two actors into one another resulting in their heads clashing, the sound that occurred was a loud bang that won’t usually be heard in real life. Another example is when one of the men brings out his knife to stab Harry Hart (minute 1:51) a loud noise occurs to show that he is attempting to kill him with a dangerous weapon. The scene ends in a heroic way as Colin Firth puts his bullet proof umbrella down and the camera zooms onto his face with the upbeat tune in the background still playing (minute 2:05). Throughout the popular bar fight scene the background music creates tension between the actors to make the shots more intriguing and interesting.

Fight Club

https://mythewatchseries.com/fight-club-uoa-episode-1

As the main character walks into his boss’s office he is accompanied by a sound bridge, from the previous couple scenes which was a comedic element, this leads the viewer into believing that this scene will follow the same path as the previous scenes that it will also be a fairly funny scene, however the sound bridge is used sarcastically as the humour shown in this scene (1 hour 15 minute 55 seconds) is a darker and more twisted version than that of the previous scene of a priest and a car worker fighting. Both characters then speak for a couple of minutes to show their emotions through dialogue, this has done to create tension and suspense. the 2 characters start to talk as the jingle like music fades out making the dialogue loud and clear, the boss in this part of the scene is louder as he is the dominant character (for the time being) as he is angry of the lack of effort Tyler’s putting in at work. As soon as Tyler’s boss reaches for the phone to call for security to escort Tyler the use of voice over is used, the voice of Tyler plotting his revenge on his boss (1 hour 17 minute 8 seconds).  Tyler’s revenge on his boss is to frame him for violent behaviour on a former work colleague. The director uses a hyper real sound when Tyler punches himself (1 hour 17 minutes 11 seconds), this is done to make the punch more gruesome and dramatic and interesting for the audience to see, the punch also shows Tyler’s determination to get revenge over his boss as he is willing to hurt himself to get what he wants. The beat in the background starts off slow and unexpected similar to Tyler’s plan however when he punches himself the second time and falls and shatters the glass table (1 hour 17 minutes 25 seconds) the director uses a hyper real loud sound as he hits the floor with glass all around him the shot is part of a sound motif. Every time Tyler moves his positioning there is a sound of glass moving and cracking. After he stumbles around the office more he throws himself into the glass shelf as he nearly hits the shelf the screen pauses and the narrator says some dialogue about what he was feeling during the incident (1 hour 17 minutes 54 seconds), Tyler then continues to cause trouble and mischief by throwing himself into a glass shelf (1 hour 17 minutes 58 seconds), as soon as he hits the shelves a guitar starts to join the background music. In the next shot the music becomes quieter and the faint office sounds become more dominant along with the sound of the narrator squirming through the glass on the floor making his way to the boss. The scene ends with no background music or any other background sound to suggest that that was the end of the scene and that his plan has worked.

Stacey Dooley Investigates Kids Selling Drugs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkxa6vs9mIM

The documentary starts off with a diegetic sound off Stacey Dooley (the journalist) speaking about the youth and how easy it is being able to get a hold of drugs that could influence your decisions, however a slow and intense beat in the background is used to show the seriousness and intensity of the shot and also sets the tone of the short documentary. The scene shows a variety of different drugs from minor drugs that you can smoke to class a drugs such as cocaine (11 seconds). The beat gets faster and faster which might suggest how quick and easy it has become to get drugs. The first couple shots that the audience see is a preview of what is ahead and what Stacey Dooley’s documentary entails, which can attract viewers to keep watching. 31 seconds into the documentary a violent and illegal weapon is shown in a drug dealers hands, this is shown at the start with no beat in the background to attract the viewers and give them an insight of how the documentary is like throughout. Another reason the first couple minutes would attract the audience by sound and visual image as it shows what motivates every drug dealer 35 seconds into the documentary the sound in the background starts to play once more to show how important money is to them the scene shows subtitles at the bottom of the screen saying “This is why we don’t stop” with a pile of money in both hands. As the scene carries on, the shots start too show factual information on the screen to intrigue and to shock the viewers into seeing the horrific and horrendous fact that “18 percent of 16-24 year olds take illegal drugs” (1 minute 12 seconds). As the facts show up on the screen the beat gets softer and quieter to create an emotional effect from the viewers. Facts such as there are “300,000 new MDMA users in the United Kingdom” would intrigue the audience and make them more aware of the effect illegal drugs can have on people. The intense beat in the background finally stops (1 minute 43 seconds) when the English journalist meets up with a couple of drug dealers, I believe that by cutting the music the scene creates more tension as anything could happen as the dealers might not want to be filmed. Also by cutting the music the scene becomes more realistic as it shows that it is not an act and that she is interviewing and interrogating drug dealers. The upbeat music then starts to build back up (2 minute 40 seconds), the use of diegetic sound is also used in the background of Stacey Dooley’s voice explaining the situation the youth is in by the power of social media apps such as Snapchat, Instagram and Yellow. In my opinion I believe that the first 3 minutes of the documentary includes good sound mix as it attracts the audience into watching the rest of the documentary. The sound and facts shown at the start both in my opinion link in a very good way as it gives the audience a different view about illegal drugs and its consequences it has by selling or even taking them.

Unit 5: Working towards a brief

Contractual: A contractual brief is a legal document which is created between an employee and a client. It outlines the duties that will be required by the company, and how the company organises their own work e.g. the prices they agree on, as well as the payment terms.

Formal Brief: A formal brief is a document that includes detailed information about what the client wants the company to achieve. It usually is a straightforward document, which refrains from including any unwanted information.

Informal Brief: An informal brief is less professional than a traditional brief, where it outlines the project verbally, as the particular type of brief does not require any means of a written document. An advantage of an informal brief is that there us no real guideline to the brief, it is very free.

Commission: A commission brief is where a large corporation such as the Sun, employ an independent company to create their product/project for them. It is notable that this type of brief is negotiated between two media companies.

Tender: A client will produce an advertisement stating that they require a media product to be created. A potential employer, such as a production company, initiates a brief, a budget, as well as a proposal which is then pitched to the client in order to secure their chances of obtaining the work that was previously advertised by the employer.

Cooperative Brief: This is where two or several production companies are employed to operate upon a set brief. The project has to be completed before a certain deadline, otherwise the client will be extremely dissatisfied.

Competition: A brief which is created in order to be accessible to all of the production companies which are participating in creating a project/product. It is noticeable that each corporation completes their own brief. An advantage may be that because of the heavy competition, the employer will strive to oitch themselves to the client in the most reasonable and professional way.

Unit 22 Single Camera

The feature film that I have selected to analyse for this assignment is Baywatch (2017), Secondly the television serial I have chosen to analyse is "How to get away with murder" and lastly I have chosen "Brooklyn nine-nine" to evaluate.

Factual Information

Baywatch (2017)

The award winning Seth Gordon directed the multi-million box office film. Not only was Seth Gordon a film director, he also was a film producer, screenwriter and film editor. He has produced and directed comedy genre films such as "Horrible Bosses" and "Identity Thief" which shows that he had experience in how to make the upcoming blockbuster film a success. Dwayne Johnson and his partner Dany Garcia produced Baywatch. Baywatch was released on the 29th of May 2017; the screenplay was filmed in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The cast included big names to be part of the film such as Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron and Alexandra Daddario, this would have given the film an advantage as the screenplay would have had an increase in popularity due to the actors in the film. The film had a budget of 69 million dollars; the film accumulated over a hundred and seventy seven million dollars. Although many had mixed reviews eighty two per cent of the people that watched the film enjoyed it.

How to get away with murder

The serial TV series was directed by Bill D'Elia who directed most of the show with 11 episodes, Mike Listo directed 4 episodes and Laura Innes directed 3 episodes from 2014 to 2016, the series was also directed by many others however they directed either an episode or two of the serial series. The show was released on the 25th of September 2014, the cast included some big actors to act in the series, and the main actor of the film is Alfred Enoch, which many might know him from the famous Harry Potter films. The show also includes the award winning actress Viola Davis, the actress won an Oscar in 2017 and also won the golden globe in 2017 however she also was left short when she was nominated for a golden globe in 2016 however she did not win. One main reason the show is rated by the fans was due to the actors in the film. The American television writer Peter Nowalk created the show. The show received high rating from Rotten Tomatoes with 89 per cent of the public enjoying the film IMDb gave the highly talked about show an 8.2 out 10.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Dan Goor and Michael Schur directed the show. Both American directors have directed and written several award winning shows and films. Micheal Schur is also well known for his work on the NBC comedy series "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation". Dan Goor is also well known for his work on the Daily Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Brooklyn Nine-Nine was first released in the year of 2013 on the 17th of September, Although the show doesn't include big names, they still have many viewers watching the series, the cast includes Andy Samberg who is an American actor, filmmaker, musician and comedian. Andy Samberg also won the Golden Globe for best Actor in 2014 for the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and also won an Emmy Award in 2007. The series had a mixture of views throughout all 5 seasons however many viewers thought the show was funny and included a lot of action scenes.

Format and Genre

Baywatch

The feature film has a genre of action, comedy and a drama film. The film includes intense and loud music when an action scene is shown so the audience would be intrigued and keep them excited to see what happens next.

How to get away with murder

The successful serial film is a Drama, Mystery, thriller and legal drama all the genres have a big attribute and part to play in making the show such a success. As 1/4th of the genre is mystery many of the audience where on the edge of their seats to find out what will happen next and how it will happen.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The series is a Sitcom as the genre of the actors are on a fixed set of character who carry over from episode to episode, however the series is also a police procedural as the show is also a police crime drama, and is a subgenre of detective fiction that attempts to convincingly depict the activities of a police force as they investigate crimes.

Narrative Elements

Baywatch

In sun-kissed Emerald Bay, the vigorous Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon and Baywatch, his elite team of hand picked lifeguards, protect the bay, keeping both sunbathers and beach lovers safe. However, this summer, two new eager trainees will join the demanding life-saving program, as well as an insubordinate former Olympic swimmer, who are called to prove their worth on the lifeguard towers just on time when new synthetic street drug begins to infest the bay. Without a doubt, this calls for some serious undercover teamwork action, as the badge less heroes in spandex comb the beach for shady newcomers and businessmen with hidden agendas of their own. The film follows a non-linear element as it does not include any flashbacks and it is a non-realist narrative.

How to get away with murder

The show is about a suspense-driven legal thriller about a group of ambitious law student and their brilliant, mysterious criminal defence professor. They become entangled in a murder plot that will shake the entire university and change the course of their lives.  The television series uses a non-linear narrative structure; the show uses techniques wherein events are portrayed out of a chronological order.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is an American comedy series; a new captain arrives and takes over Brooklyn's 99th precinct, which includes detective Jake Peralta, a talented carefree detective who's used to doing whatever he wants. The other employees of the 99th precinct include detective Amy Santiago, Jakes over achieving and competitive partner; detective Rosa Diaz, a tough and kept to herself co-worker. The show revolves around detective Jake Peralta, an immature but talented NYPD detective in Brooklyn's 99th precinct, who comes into immediate conflict with his new commanding officer.

Characters

Baywatch

As most films include one or two hero's, Baywatch is different as it has six heroic characters to save the highly talked about beach. Suddenly a new synthetic drug begins to infest the bay, the job requires some serious undercover teamwork action from the heroic lifeguards, however the vicious and powerful Victoria Leeds (Priyanka Chopra) has plans to continue to infest and distribute the drug around the beach

How to get away with murder

As the show mainly revolves around Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch), he is the main hero of the show as he is a kind a caring person who is always trying to fix and help people, however as the season went on there where a variety of heroic characters such as Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), who is always looking after her students and always having there back in difficult situations, similar to the hero's of the show, the villain changes throughout the serial series, however many might say that the biggest villain and the most hated character was Frank Delfino (Charlie Weber) as he was one of the characters that Annalise Keating trusted and believed in.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

As the show revolves around police officers, there would be various heroic characters however the main hero of the show would be detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) as he is always a step ahead and a skilled detective. The villain of the show would be detective Pembroke also known as "The Vulture". He is the villain of the police procedural series as he is continuously disobeys and troubles other detectives by taking over on their cases.  

Themes

Baywatch

Baywatch’s theme is good vs. evil as the bodyguards are trying to protect the people who are at danger and also trying to put an end to the drug scandals that are allocated and seen at the beach. Baywatch also has another theme which is friendship, as Matt Brody (Zac Efron) first joined the elite squad no one trusted him however as the movie carried on he built a trustworthy friendship with the squad.

How to get away with murder

How to get away with murder has a theme of revenge and freedom as the whole story revolves around the killing of Sam Keating (Tom Verica) since the killing the students have tried to be free and forget the day however the nightmarish experience the students encounter forms the rest of the story.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine's main theme is about friendship, it gives us (the audience) how the detectives friendship cope with the cases they encounter through there time at work.

Audio Elements

Baywatch

The blockbuster film uses a variety of interesting and intriguing audio elements such as music and sound effects to catch the eye of the audience watching. The film uses intense music to link to the scenes and genre of the film and to keep the audience on their toes wondering what will happen next.

How to get away with murder

The serial show uses some nerve-wracking background beat to link with the genre and the mystery of what is happening in the scene. The show also uses a variety of sound effects such as explosions to make the scene more intriguing for the viewers to watch.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The show is about detectives there are expected sound effects such as gun shots, explosions, sound of contact when fighting and many others however the show also uses some action themed music in the background to show the intensity of the scene.

Interesting scenes or camera shots

Baywatch

The film uses a variety of over the shoulder shots so we (the audience) get to see what is happening in the scene, the film also has visually interesting scenes such as the training scene so the elite team get to choose three lifeguards to join the highly talked about team.

How to get away with murder

The award winning show shows a variety of interesting and intriguing visual scenes such as the flashbacks that are shown numerous times to give the audience a wider information about a situation or about a character's backstory.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Although the show does not include a variety of interesting visual scenes, the show however does include a variety of over the shoulder shots.

Soundtrack Homework

Children of Men
The film starts of with news about the youngest kid in the world dying aged "18 years 4 months 20 days 16 hours and 8 minutes", which sets the tone of how the film will be like, the news shows the audience watching the film that there is a fertility problem as the last kid that was born was eighteen years ago. As the film starts to show visual image the atmosphere was quite dull as they have just heard that the youngest kid has just died which mainly suggests that its the start of the end of the world. As the camera switches to the TV a slow and emotional beat starts to play to suggest that its an emotional time not just for the kids family for everyone around the world, although each individual at the coffee shop is emotional about the recent death the main character (Theo Faron) doesn't seem to effect him.

As he finally leaves the shop the audience can tell where and when it is set due to the surroundings and the advanced technology for example as Theo leaves the shop an over the shoulder shot shows a moving animated advert on the bus, the opening scene shows a variety of sound effects, however the main sound effect that might have intrigued the audience was not only the explosion but however the continuous buzzing noise suggesting that we are experiencing what Theo is going through at the time of the explosion, a noise that some might not of heard. Another key sound effect that was used in the opening scene was the lady screaming and holding her own arm after the explosion to show the impact of the tragedy.

As the film is set in the future (2027) suggests that the film is a science fiction and a fantasy film due to the year and the advanced technology thats hasn't been seen before. The director mixes the sounds of traffic, barking dogs and a stream of media messages including ads of state-sanctioned suicide kits to create an interesting and intriguing scene for the audience to start watching.

Scene 2
The scene straight away starts with a loud explosion in the background which triggers the baby to start crying. As the baby starts crying (1:31:05), the camera switches to the other refugees as they are in shock to hear a baby crying. As the baby girl, Theo and Kee walk towards the stairs the soldiers stop firing due to the sound of the baby crying, as they knew it was a miracle and that it as been 13 years since the last birth by any individual. The beat in the background that is used in the dramatic shot sets the tone of the entire scene and aims to build an emotional response form the audience who are watching. The beat in the background is a slow and emotional beat so the audience can feel some emotion.As all three of the characters eventually leave the building the camera shows a shot of the soldiers who where firing at the refugees moments ago stop and stare at the baby girl and the mother to show how big a scene this is and how big it was to make a baby.

Treatment for Radio advert

Client
The brand name of my advert will be Nike, the product and the entire advert will be about Nike's new football boot. The Nike company is a private/global company and the product will be available for everyone who is interested in the product.

Purpose of campaign
the purpose of my advert is to promote and sell a new product that is a nike football boot. the radio ad will include elements that will try and persuade the audience into buying the new product or buy an item from the brand (Nike).

Unique selling point
Nike, one of the most powerful brands in the world, has a very strong slogan. Even if you take away the logo and the brand name, people will still think of Nike, every time they see "Just Do It" people will immediately think of Nike. however, it does not really convey their USP explicitly. Professional athletes from around the world use Nike even today and thats what Nikes unique selling point is. when any customer buys a Nike item such as trainers, hats, clothes etc you are mainly buying items that are made for professional athletes which will attract a variety of customers willing buy Nike branded items.


Placement
The potential radio stations that I could broadcast my radio ad is talkSPORT and capital. Firstly I have chosen talkSPORT as I believe that it would be the most suitable radio ad to use as talkSport will attract my target audience which is people aged 10 to 20 however it is laos for football fans  at all ages and people who are mainly people interested in sports . i have also chosen Capital as it is well known in the UK which will increase the popularity of the brand and mainly the new product. in my opinion i believe that the advert should be used 10 times in a month in the morning time as many people would be listening to the radio.


Production roles
A broadcast assistant assesses information for research purposes, and ensures that it is accurate, keeping up to date contact lists and dealing promptly with correspondence and queries. they produce transcript, running orders and programme logs. the broadcast assistant looks after guests and programme contributors, answer and log calls for phone-ins or competitions, organise contracts and payments for contributors, performers or freelance staff, and obtain permission or licenses for recording or broadcasting on location. the skills you need to become a broadcast assistant is that you need to have a strong organisational skill be creative while thinking and solving problems and you need to have a good knowledge of subjects relevant to the radio genre. Commercial producers manage client briefings, generate and pitch ideas, write scripts or work with writers, cast actors and voiceovers, select music, organise and run recording sessions, and edit and produce finished commercials and other advertising material.The skills needed to become a commercial producer are the ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate the, another skill you need will be the ability to work independently, but also as part of a team.Traffic managers run traffic teams, whose purpose is to accurately schedule commercial airtime and station promotions, and to produce data analysing the effectiveness of campaigns for the sales team and clients. Traffic managers work closely with colleagues in sales marketing, sponsorship, promotions, events, publicity and programming. they must ensure that their team offers an efficient service, handling bookings, communicating availability to the sales team. they are also responsible for ensuring that all broadcast material complies with the law, regulation and industry codes, that it meets the stations audio quality guidelines. the skills you need to become a traffic manager are good writing and presentational skills, a good understanding of the radio sales process and to be self-motivated and develop others talents. Actors interpret others words in order to bring a script to life, and to put flesh and blood on the characters they portray, they usually work across television, theatre, film and radio, each requiring some specific skills. the skills you need to become an actor are that you have to be highly adaptable, as they may portray many different characters over a short period of time.

Budget
For my advert there will be a variety of features that will cost money for example a voice actor will be paid however for my advert i will not be paying a voice actor as I am sourcing free sound effect. Another element that will cost money will be advertising costs this costs will be approximately worth £1,500 per week in a local market for repetition for the radio ad and for a larger regional station it will cost around £3,000. Creative costs will be another element that i will have to think about for my advert which would usually cost 200 to 300 pounds for a small adversing station. Another element will be Airtime costs, each station has a limited number of minutes a day to sell for advertising.