Although I am extremely interested in my proposed research area and want to continue the research I have started, I am beginning to doubt whether it is possible to produce a practical and successful honors project.
The only way that I have came up with in which to make a practical project which coincides with my research question (How do the emotive peaks of film score work effectively in relation to the peaks of a films visual?) seems to be to create my own film score and sync it with a video. However I am inexperienced in composing for film and don't know if my attempts at writing and producing film score would result in work good enough for an honors year project, or even if simply creating some music and syncing it to film merits enough work to pass at honors level.
On the 22nd I received an email telling me that on November 1st I will have the opportunity to discuss my project developments with Kenny (Lecturer). Hopefully this meeting will help me flesh out some practical project ideas.
I am at the stage of the project now where I am expected to be submitting draft Research Proposals with a decided project aim, I am starting to doubt the viability of my research question and generally feel like I am falling behind.
Monday, 28 October 2013
Thursday, 17 October 2013
1st Pitch Session
Today I met with Laurie (Lecturer) to discuss my project ideas. After explaining my proposed research question - How do the emotive peaks of film score work effectively in relation to the peaks of a films visual? - Laurie agreed it would be necessary to identify key sections of film score (narrative, characters, setting, tone of the film etc) and how separately each one of those add to the relationship between score and visual.
Laure also asked the interesting question of how I plan to make a practical honors project from this research question, I had no answer before I continue research into how score works in film this will have to be addressed.
Laure also asked the interesting question of how I plan to make a practical honors project from this research question, I had no answer before I continue research into how score works in film this will have to be addressed.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Score In Films
This week I simply just listened to film score. Although I am interested in my chosen research area I still don't really know a lot about it; this week basically involved watching films from a critical point of view. I took note of several of the scores that interested me (see below) and after the first pitch session (and hopefully confirmation my research question is suitable) I plan on investigating their workings further to see how they effectively triggered my emotions.
As it was Thomas Newman who initially interested me in film score, I began with him. A simple Google search revealed that Newman has been nominated for a total of 12 academy awards. The second of these nominations in 1995 was for his work on "The Shawshank redemption". I felt I connected with several of the movies scenes largely due to the music, the music in the scene above particularly effected me.
By chance the next film I watched was Michael Bays sci-fi/drama "Armageddon". The film as a whole was relatively poor, however I felt Trevor Rabin's score really carried the film adding to drama of the film and making it feel like a real human interest story. Personally I feel the music in the scene above works incredibly well with the presidents speech, it highlights the intensity of the situation and the sacrifice the characters are making.
Although the music used in the above scene is incredibly simple it is my favourite of the three examples provided in this blog post. Even in this short clip the overall mood of the film to come is clearly established through the score. This piece of score - titled "Hand Covers Bruise", written by Trent Reznor - appears in several scenes of the movie and appears to be linked closely if not exclusively to the lead character Mark Zukerberg and is used to portray him emotions at key moments.
Although only having briefly examined film scores use within film I am beginning to develop some ideas on how score can be used to stress emotional high points.
By chance the next film I watched was Michael Bays sci-fi/drama "Armageddon". The film as a whole was relatively poor, however I felt Trevor Rabin's score really carried the film adding to drama of the film and making it feel like a real human interest story. Personally I feel the music in the scene above works incredibly well with the presidents speech, it highlights the intensity of the situation and the sacrifice the characters are making.
Although the music used in the above scene is incredibly simple it is my favourite of the three examples provided in this blog post. Even in this short clip the overall mood of the film to come is clearly established through the score. This piece of score - titled "Hand Covers Bruise", written by Trent Reznor - appears in several scenes of the movie and appears to be linked closely if not exclusively to the lead character Mark Zukerberg and is used to portray him emotions at key moments.
Although only having briefly examined film scores use within film I am beginning to develop some ideas on how score can be used to stress emotional high points.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Development Of Research Question
This week I have been considering the research question I mentioned in my last blog post and how best to go about answering it. For film score to highlight the emotive peaks of a film it appears necessary to consider the following as research headings: Narrative Of The Film (the films story line); Characters and Setting. Basically for music to coincide with a films peaks it must reflect how characters act or interact with each other in certain surroundings and how these actions develop the plot of the film.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Emotive Peaks
I have decided to further investigate the relationship between the emotive peaks between the score and visuals in film.
The following is a clip from Martin Brest's "Meet Joe Black". The score was written and produced by Thomas Newman. Newsman's work on "Meet Joe Black" was what initially interested me in film score. I think was the first time I had actively paid attention to what the music was doing throughout a film.
The scene shows a young man and woman meeting for the first time and hesitantly discussing what they want from a relationship. The score first appears when Brad Pitts character admits that he "likes" Claire Forlanis character and is relatively uplifting. The music further builds in this uplifting manner when Claire Forlanis character admits to liking Brad Pitts. However when the couple have to say goodbye and walk away from each other the music takes a more negative turn, reflecting the characters emotions of sadness and regret.
A brief examination of this clip has led to an initial research question: How do the emotive peaks of film score work effectively in relation to the peaks of a films visual?
The following is a clip from Martin Brest's "Meet Joe Black". The score was written and produced by Thomas Newman. Newsman's work on "Meet Joe Black" was what initially interested me in film score. I think was the first time I had actively paid attention to what the music was doing throughout a film.
The scene shows a young man and woman meeting for the first time and hesitantly discussing what they want from a relationship. The score first appears when Brad Pitts character admits that he "likes" Claire Forlanis character and is relatively uplifting. The music further builds in this uplifting manner when Claire Forlanis character admits to liking Brad Pitts. However when the couple have to say goodbye and walk away from each other the music takes a more negative turn, reflecting the characters emotions of sadness and regret.
A brief examination of this clip has led to an initial research question: How do the emotive peaks of film score work effectively in relation to the peaks of a films visual?
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Initial Thoughts
My initial thought is to conduct a project centered on film score. The honors year is a chance to 100% commit to a project I may not have the chance to undertake later in life and film score is what interests me. However as my personal interest isn't justification enough to carry out an honors project a relevant research area/aim must be established.
Personal Note: Look into emotive peaks of film score and how they coincide with emotive peaks of visuals in film.
Personal Note: Look into emotive peaks of film score and how they coincide with emotive peaks of visuals in film.
Blog For Honours Year Project: Introduction
The following blog posts will keep an up to date record of any research undertaken, developments made or any ideas had regarding my honors project. The first stages of my process will involve establishing a research question.
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