Use of sound and narration in short films

Music is often used in short films when narration is not needed. This usually creates an atmosphere for the film and keeps the audience viewing.

One example of this is Rocket, about a dog who builds a small rocket to fly away in. He is first inspired by a lava lamp. The music used is happy and almost heart-warming, which fits perfectly with the cute dog that is the only character in the story. The music builds up towards the end and increases the excitement. Creating a joyful and adventurous atmosphere and could not have been replaced any better.






The next film which uses this is Super Fast Samosa, which uses Bollywood-style music to give it the Indian culture feel. And builds up as the samosa is being chased by the various animals throughout the film. This film is obviously not meant to be taken too seriously and the music gives it a more light-hearted feel.






The last film which uses music is Deadline, which is stop-motion using post-it notes. There is no need for narration as this would completely ruin the asthetic of the film because it is so surreal. The music has a very similar effect to the last two and makes the film more light-hearted and joyful. It is also very simplistic so we focus far more on the amazing animation itself rather than what we can hear.

Though I do not plan to use this in my final idea, I thought I'd explore the world or narration as a seperate piece and begin to explain why it is I don't wish to use it.

The first example is Vincent by Tim Burton, this is a very quirky and original film but it is also very dark and horrifying, though comical in a way as he is pretending to be grown up and be Vincent Price, well known for his distinctive voice and performances in a series of horror films made in the latter part of his career.Narration is used to describe Vincent's point of view and his dark thoughts. However it is not in first person, which could suggest he has split-personality. He also quotes Edgar Allan Poe "And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted - nevermore!" which gives it a more melancholy feel and makes you feel pity for the little boy, who wants to be Vincent price.

The next film is The Giving Tree By Shel Silverstein. This is very different to our last film as the narration is more telling the story than providing someone's point of view. However there is a growing sadness to the film as time goes by and the boy grows older, and takes more from the tree. The narrator sounds unhappy too, which means that from the very begginning, we know that it will have a sad ending.

The last example is LUCKY 13: PJ, Tiny Planet Explorer about a young man who decides he wants to move to a different planet. He lists all the "essentials" that he will need (such as a Gameboy) which is comical as we know that he is not prepared for going to another planet. The narration breaks the fourth wall by inviting the audience in to what his plans are. Though he does not look at the camera when he says he wants to move to another planet, there is no other option as to who he could be talking to. The narration is far more for comical reasons than any other, but we would have no idea what was going on if it wasn't there.

 

 

 

 

For a narration, the actor needs to have a clear, powerful voice which emphasies what you want them to say. An example of someone who does this is Don LaFontaine, who has been the voice-over too 33 films and television programmes, including Family Guy and Pulp Fiction. And 750,000 television spots, 5,000 movie trailers.

Some television and film challenge our usual perception of what we expect from narration, often with a comical effect, as seen in The League of Gentlemen, when he is reading a letter from his mother.





I will not use narration in my final piece because I don't believe it would fit with my surrealist idea, but I have explored the area in great detail so I know for certain that I don't want to use it.