Harry Potter- reflection

Harry Potter reflection sheet

How have you opened and saved the project?

I opened my garageband project by from the media folder which we had to all save in  on the Macs. We later had to export the files which meant that it was saved in as a published clip with the video and sound in it together.

Any problems you encountered with the software?

The problems I had with garageband was that sometimes when I saved the video and later come to view it, some of the files of the sound I had importanted said that it was 'not found' which meant that we had to find extra time to find these files.

Anything else related to the task as a technical exersise?

Overall I thought we did an effective sound extract for the opening sequene for Harry Potter. However, I did find it quite hard to choose exactly the right sound for some of my shots fro the sequence as a lot of the strings for example all sounded quite similar. This therefore meant that we had to use up more time finding the most suitable sound clip for out sequence and we did take up more time which meant we didn't quite get to finish out product in the remaining 3 lessons. So now that i am more familiar with garageband, hopefully in my real project which I will be creating, I will be more familiar with the sound clips and how it all works.

What did you learn that you will be able to transfer to the filming project?

I learned that to create an effective video for the opening sequence sound was extremely important in conveying the right mood for the audience to experience. For example. using high piercing sound at the beginning and gloomy, dark non-diagetic sound conveyed the eeriness. Also I learnt that by contrasting music such as having uplifting music after a previous scene of tension this created more mystery and drew the audience closer to the action of the film. I think I have become a lot more confident in editing sound tracks and also controlling their volumes, for example, making some clips quieter than others for effect. This is something that will try to I apply in my final project so that it can show that I have learned a range of different ways to make sound more effective.

Jaws

Jaws- Sound Notes

1.      Bubbling sound of sharks arrival- preparing us for what’s about to happen later. The sound bridge is the sound which we hear before the scene which again prepares us for the scene, creating tension.

2.       Quieter non-diegetic sound which increases tension of Sharks arrival and shows the Jaws motif, makes it memorable.

3.       Sounds readily speed up to slowly build the tension up and therefore adrenaline of the people watching that something is not right.

4.      High pitching and screeching strings which illustrate the shark getting close are the biting of shark which adds fright to audience. This also shows the danger and the even fast non-diegetic sound increases the tension even more.

5.      Contrasts sounds from the beginning underwater sound, lots of diegetic chatter, laughter and music being played shows how normal everything is compared to before.

6.      The gate shape across the beach makes it appear like the sharks teeth which prepare us that it is getting closer. The diegetic music and dialogue is slowly fading which tells us that we are distancing from safety.

7.      Quiet, ambient sound, peaceful diegetic sound of water- things are still normal

8.      Gentle sound slightly getting louder

9.      The bubble movement grows which is like the  shark is swimming and getting closer to woman, illustrating tat she might be in danger

10.  The fast movement of non-diegetic sound add eeriness which exemplifies the fast, unpredictable movement of the shark

11.  The screeching high pitched sound shows shark non-diegetic sound, maybe it is like the shark is getting hold of the woman.

12.  Non-diegetic sound is increasing louder and louder, tension is inevitable rising as we are waiting for the moment

13.  Continuous growth of loud music and high pitched instrumental non-diegetic sound, highlight extremity

14.   Contrasts from previous scene. The parallel calm diegetic sound of water matches the relaxed mood the man is feeling and what he is hearing, this is certainly from what the woman was feeling before. 

The Fast and Furious (2001)

The Fast and Furious (2001) - Analysis of the race

When we first see the long shot of the cars we are able to see that it is a modern film because the cars all look really modern. The engines going off in the background is like a soundtrack because we hear the engines starting but we cannot see the cars yet, this creates excitement and introduces us to car scene. The close-up shot behind the cars is effective as we are able to see fire coming out of it which exemplifies that their is going to be fast action but also shows they are furious pumping adrenaline from audience, hence the title of the film ‘the fast and furious’. We also get to see the people behind cheering and they all appear young and dressed in summery clothes; this highlights the film may be aimed at younger adults.
When the race is about to begin, there are quick cutaways of all the people starting the car up which adds to the fierceness and aggression which creates tension as we are drawn to the action of who is going to win the race. The animation of the inside of the car engine almost creates the sense that it is a computer game and illustrates that its going to be extremely fast action, just like a car computer game young adults might play. This adds further effect which is extremely visual and all the machinery with bright orange/yellow/red colours exemplify the flames, adding hype to the audience. The white screen at the end creates the extreme burning effect of the flames, creating further flow of emotions and adrenaline in audience watching. The low angle of the car starting up empathises the heightening speed which shows aggression. This is further illustrated of the shot inside the car, when we have a stationary shot so it makes us feel less dizzy from all their fast actions but enables us to see facial expressions. Their eyes are mostly squinting and their full focus is on the front window, exemplifying the lust for wanting to win, drawing us even close to the action.
  The track of the cars at first stays still and we feel an intimate connection with one of the characters we are not only able to see his facial expressions but from the action in the background whizzing past, we are able to establish that the speed of the cars is extremely fast. Then the camera tracks in front of all the cars so we are able to see all the cars and establish wh is winning or who is ahead of the game, keeping us connected. When we reach to the first person, the camera once again goes inside his car and so we are able to see clearly how he is feeling, drawing us closer to the important characters of the film. He looks behind his shoulder which adds tension that the other cars may be catching up behind him and keeps us on the edge of our seats. The camera shot is of a close-up shot of him so we see his face but also see that he is only holding the steering wheel with one hand. This makes him appear more superior and his muscle arm makes him appear like to have more strength so suggests that he might win race.

  The track of the camera is at a low angle which is another way to indicate the low speed and creates an effect that they are whizzing past everything when they pass by. When the track is behind the car, this engages audience as we feel part of the action and following closely behind the car ourselves. When the camera is at the front and all the cars go past we are able to see the extreme dander and this is further illustrated with the close-up shot of their speed going up to the maximum.

  The ripple effect creates a blurry effect which again empathises the speed but also could be the state of mind of the characters. The non-diegetic sound of the whizzing past as they go by further adds tension to the scene and reaches tot the climax of us waning to know who is going to win.