Over this past week, a lot has changed in regards to the script. We began by attending a meeting on the 14th at the library in which we threw around several completely new ideas ranging from comedy to drama and it helped to explore a new direction as our current idea was lacking in creativity. We decided the script would now be about a troubled teenager burgling a house but stumbling upon a person attempting suicide. The film would approach how the two characters contrast each other visually but have similarities in terms of life experiences.
It was great to be part of this process and I was glad I could contribute with a range of ideas, which lead to the Producer of Novum Yolanda Taylor personally asking if I could return for the next two meetings.
We met again on the 16th and 18th October and further discussed script and plot ideas and spoke in depth on getting solid character outlines.
During this meeting we also managed to start working on our research for sound design and music. Novum are keen on the films of David Fincher and soundtracks play a massive role in increasing drama and manipulating audiences in his work. This may be due to the fact that he directed music videos early in his career. My favourite soundtracks of his are Seven and The Social Network. They are complete opposites in terms of style but they employ similar tactics when it comes to enhancing drama. The original score in Seven is composed by Howard Shore and it mainly comprises of traditional instruments. I particularly like the piece ‘Envy and Wrath’ from the now infamous “Box” scene. The high pitched strings really grate on the ears and compliment the disturbing visuals while staccato horns are used to reinforce the actors lines, mirroring the dialogue on screen with the sounds fighting it out auditorily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1giVzxyoclE
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross compose the score on The Social Network, for which they won an Academy Award. This soundtrack is much darker and ambient. My favourite track from the film is called “Hand Covers Bruise” and it is featured in the opening scene of the movie. The disparity between the clear piano notes against the backdrop of the scratching ambient noise makes the piano stand out so clearly whilst maintaining a melancholic tone that sets up the rest of the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBNCYkSceU
I aim to use this research to aid our decision-making when it comes to making a soundtrack for our project. I feel these two soundtracks are contrasting but fulfill the needs of a drama, which is exactly what we are looking for in our project.