Music

In our AS film we had problems finding copyright free music that we felt fit our film specifically and so this year decided to create our own music using Garage Band for iOS.

We knew we wanted to create music for four main points in the film:

• Opening and closing scenes

We decided to use the same track for both the opening and closing credits to create symmetry, showing that the film has come full circle- although Kevin has been lied to and manipulated, justice has ultimately been served as he is imprisoned for life for the crimes he commits at the start of the film.

As with all of the pieces we composed, we based the piece around the same riff meaning there were obvious points to cut it off and we could subtly repeat it if it were not long enough.

The instruments we used were the fingerstyle bass, a string ensemble and a flute. These instruments could be found in classical jazz music, a link with the sound of the 1940's and 1950's where classic fimn noirs were set. However so that they fit in with the sinister mood and modern audience, we didn't compose a piece in the lazy "swing" style but using low, sustained notes to create tension. The forte layer (the flute), is a bit faster however we chose a minor key so it still maintains this mood. 

• Psychiatrist's office

We used jazz instruments again here (piano, strings and clarinet), hoping to achieve a low but loud, brash piece. The notes clash slightly which was the kind of effect we were after- something that didn't sound quite right to relflect Kevin's character who we now begin to suspect. There will be no dialogue in this scene so the music is especially significant in setting the mood.

• "Romantic" montage, Kevin and Violet getting to know one another

These scenes should be happy as Kevin has no idea who Violet really is and be grows to have feelings for her, however there is also a sense of foreboding. This is what we tried to achieve in this piece- we used a major key signature and the main instrument is the saxophone which is classically has quite a romantic sound. However the last note of the riff is long, sustained and doesn't sound exactly right with the rest of the melody, foreshadowing that something is wrong. The chords underneath are also quite dark as they are long and low-pitched.