Harry Potter Evaluation

Harry Potter Evaluation :

What style or feel of music did you use for the credit sequence and why? 

For the beginning of the credit sequence when we can see the logo, I used a piece of music which gave the effect of wind gusting past; this was a parallel sound and also diegetic. I faded it in from complete silence and gradually increased the volume on the track in garage band so that it became much less harsh and gave it more of naturalistic feel that I wanted.  Although I still knew that I wanted a scary and dark tone to be clear so that it would work with the visuals we had been given. Therefore, I felt that coming in straight away with the wind sound effect would have been too stark, and given the wrong effect to the audience. I also used the sound effect of a volcano erupting as we zoom in closer to the Harry Potter Logo as I feel that it emphasizes the film and the company’s product. Although, on reflection I feel that this could have been made louder to really exaggerate the point I was making to my audience.

At about 0:13 seconds in I overlapped another loop over my current one that sounded like the wind. The sound effect has an eerie tone to it and continues with the other sound effect, until we enter out of the clouds. It is a parallel sound again. I also faded this in for the same reasons as the other one but also so it flowed better on the whole.

When the light streams through the clouds I used a different loop with a much higher pitch as it gives it much lighter feel.  It also shows the light to be a positive thing and it contrasts against the dark music that I used which gives the sense we are moving away from it.

I feel that I mainly accomplished what I wanted to in the opening sequence but there are still things that I feel could have been done a lot better. So I feel my opening sequence was roughly 7 out of 10. I think that the transition from one loop to another could have been a lot smoother, especially the volcano erupting around the Harry Potter Logo. But on a positive note I feel that the audience are now aware of the genre of this film and what to expect, as it is made clear that the movie is quite dark.

What style or feel of music did you use for the playground sequence and why?

For the playground scene I used some more sound effects, I used a combination of traffic and birdsong as we approach the playground and we past the road. I did this because I wanted it to be as realistic to the audience as it could be so they felt involved in the film. These aspects were also important to me as they are both important signifiers of the setting and help the audience locate where the narrative is taking place.  Although evaluating the scene I feel that it could have benefited from some parallel music.  I think a loop some relaxed and country style music would have worked well with the playground. I didn’t finish all of this sequence due to time constrains and technical issues. For this I would give myself a 6/10 as it was uncompleted and lacked music.

What style or feel of music did you use for the dementor sequence and why?

I moved on to the dementor sequence from the playground sequence at 2:18 minutes and the loop I used was the same as the one I used in the credit sequence, the sound of the wind gushing past. I did this because I wanted the audience to feel some continuity with the sound and therefore associate the negative tone of the sequence. The wind also matches with the visuals but it also gives the clip a chilling feel which is further represented in the dark and dismal colours of black and blue sky which connote evil and foreshadow the appearance of the dementors. When Harry is looking up at the sky at 2:19 the visuals show the increasing blackening sky. I wanted the audience to hear this growing intensity as well as see it so I increased the volume of the wind.

When some of the bullies run away at 2:32 I layered a loop over the top of the wind. The loop I used for this was a rhythmic beating of something to me that resembled machinery this industrialized the piece and made it seemingly more urban. This strongly contrasts the earlier peaceful birds tweeting that matched the setting. The rhythm is also similar to a beating heart. I also overlapped a much faster loop with a similar style over it. I feel this gives nice texture and makes the sound less 2 dimensional. Just before they enter the tunnel I faded it out though and leave just the original machinery loop, eventually this fades to almost silence as they seemed to have reached safety. 

However when the camera angle switches and we are now looking down the tunnel I use another loop as i wanted it to match the flickering light. And i added another one to shock the audience when the dementors appeared and took Harry. Then when the bully is running away the sound gets quieter. However, evaluating this i feel that it getting quieter doesn’t work fully with how I wanted the audience to feel which is worried and scared for Harry. On the other hand I am very happy with the sound we picked for when the dementors are taking the boys souls as it is slightly muffled, which to me gives the perfect effect.

I feel that I encapsulated the feel of this sequence quite well and I would give myself 8 out of 10 for this. I feel the audience on the whole would have interpreted this in the same way as I proposed but I feel that some areas again could run together more smoothly and there a segments where there is fading of sound where it is not necessary and could give the audience the feeling that the scene is less scary, when in fact it is not for example when the bully is running away.