The sound is an important convention of the trailer as it is present throughout even when it is extremely quiet during speech or other moments in the trailer. It is used to help build the tension rather than the film seem as if it is not going to reach a climax at the very end. The print screen shown above this text is the moment where the film trailer is a black screen and all that can be heard is Lily screaming as the audience assumes that the abductor has finally reached her. We increased the volume of her scream to a higher volume as this will scare and shock the audience and intensify this terrifying moment that they have been anticipating! The print screen below this text is the moment in the trailer when the text 'SEIZED' appears on the screen and the volume of sound is also increased at this point. The idea of increasing the sound at this part of the trailer will allow the audience to focus on the title of the film and prepare them for the next tense event in the film trailer.
Charmaine introduced a composer called 'Hans Zimmer' to the group when we were discussing the type of music that we need to use in order to increase the tension for our film trailer. However, after listening to this piece of music as a group, we felt that it gave the dramatic feel that we wanted but was not appropriate for a thrilller film trailer but perhaps more an action adventure film.
We wanted a track that could played throughout the trailer and would remain relevant at each point. Our teacher introduced us to the composer Penderecki who had previously considered for his piece called the 'Concerto Grosso No.1 in c minor' but it was unsuitable and did not fit the film trailer. With this piece of music called 'The Threnody for the victims of Hiroshima' we felt that it was perfect and throughout the track there are quieter moments and more dramatic points which will be great for key events such as the abductor walking up the stairs.
During the recording of our last set of shots featuring Lily in the cupboard, we thought it was appropriate to record her sound as it plays a major role in the trailer. As we were using a different camera to capture the movement, we also used the school camera and sound equipment which we had previously been using to record Lily's breathing and screaming. I have included two of the sound clips:
Here is the camera that we have decided to use to record our trailer with as it produces significantly clearer and better quality shots.
Having filmed all parts of the trailer we decided that it was time to create a rough cut and put all of the clips so far, whether they were accurate or not, together so that we could see what was good and what needed to be improved. We used MoviePlus X3 which we found difficult to use as we had to convert some of the files so that they were compatible with this programme. We then needed to add the sound that we had recorded and music that we had researched to see how it would fit and if it was suitable.
Once we had learnt how to use the programme it became easy and all we had to do was click 'Add Media' and select the sound file that we wanted, just like we had done for the clips for the clips that we used. We then dragged it to the audio section and cut and pasted it where it was needed to fit the trailer.
This screenshot demonstrates how once we had mastered how to input the audio, we were able to add more audio and use three types (music, natural sounds e.g. wind and speaking). By adding the music to the trailer, tension is built and especially at the end of the trailer, the music is more dramatic and helps reinforce the 'jumpy' aspects if the trailer.
As we decided to useKrzysztof Penderecki- Concerto Grosso No. 1 in C Minorwe needed to find a way to convert the track that we had been listening to on YouTube so we used a free converting website called ZAMZAR which is easy to use as the downloaded song is sent to your email.
I am currently researching into music to use for the film trailer which will build suspense at certain points and create an atmosphere of fear and the unknown for the audience. As I have been studying the thriller film 'Taken' throughout the process of making the film trailer I decided to listen to the music which has been used in the trailer for 'Taken'. I have included a short clip and it is a simple piano being played which is effective as it becomes louder and changes octave according to the pace of the trailer and what is happening.
When watching the trailer for the film, you will notice that it is full of action and the music over the top of the film cannot be heard until approximately a minute into the film. Until this point the audience is able to listen to the conversations between the protagonist male character and his daughter before she is taken and then the conversations between him and other characters in the search to find his daughter. Even at the point of the music being played it is subtle but effective as it slowly builds in the background and eventually grabs the audiences attention. For our film trailer, I think that it will be necessary to play music from the very beginning till the end of the trailer to continuously be building the tension and to manipulate the louder and more significant parts of the song to relate to what is happening in the trailer. Our film is perhaps quieter in the sense that it has less speech and less action so it may require the use of intense music.
Krzysztof Penderecki-Concerto Grosso No.1 in c minor
Another important aspect to our film trailer is the use of music throughout to build tension at specific points in the trailer and to continue the ominous and increasingly fearful atmosphere. We have chosen to listen to a variety of composers such as Penderecki whose pieces are long but dramatic from almost the beginning of the song. As a group, we liked this song as it immediately creates suspense with sudden clashes of sound and the violins produce an eery feel to the music.
As we have had some issues with filming due to weather and members of the group and our actresses having exams we have been unable to film consistently in the past few weeks. In the meantime, we have focused on researching the sound and music that we will use in our film trailer. We used the microphone to record the sounds that we created by connecting it into the camera to save these noises. We used the dead cat to enhance the sound picked up by the microphone and an extendable holder so we can change the distance of the microphone from what it was picking up.
Firstly, we recreated the sound of footsteps for our main character, Lily, as she is initially walking back at a regular pace and then speeds up to a rapid movement as she is running away from her attacker.In the video, you will notice that we recorded one of the members of our group walking along a bed of leaves and grass which really brings out the crunchiness of the leaves and produces natural footstep noises. However, when recording the sound of the microphone being tapped can be heard therefore we cannot use this sound clip.
Video Clip 1: Attempt at recording footsteps on grass and leaves. As mentioned previously, we found this clip to be unsuccessful because of the sound of the microphone knocking which would distract the audience listening to the trailer.
Video Clip 2: Second attempt to recreate footsteps, closer up and pace of walking picks up. We found that this re-recording of the sound that we were trying to create was more successful but did not create enough of a realistic impact that we wanted.
Video Clip 3: Picking up leaving and crumpling them.
Our final attempt was the most successful as we were able to control the speed of the crumpling sound being made. It was easier and more efficient to use this method.
The YouTube video that I have included shows a similar sound to the noise of footsteps on leaves that we created by crumpling them. When researching how to make realistic sound effects we found this video and decided that this would be the appropriate method to produce natural sounding footsteps.
