Analysis 3- Olivia Burton
“Time Persists” Film:
In “Time Persists” there is minimal dialogue in the film. By using minimal dialogue it emphasizes the few sounds that do emit from the characters. For the short amount of dialogue that is heard is prominently edited to be the center focus. This can be due to the layering of the sounds and amplitude of the sounds that are intentionally emphasized. By layering the sounds and emphasizing specific ones by making sure the ones recording audio have a multiple point mental checklist to follow. This mental “checklist” would include things like the initial position of where the recorder is placed, and making sure that the sounds that are longed to be captured come out as clean and crisp as possible. For example, towards the end where the appeared “younger characters” with the intent of colored outfits (rather than black) there was an acknowledgement of utter silence (furthering the initial feeling of suspense that ties in with the “stare off” between the two opposing groups of characters). When characters exchange lines or any dialogue appears- there is specific visuals that happen to contribute to the feeling the filmmakers are intending on the viewer to pick up on. For example, when the “younger” and more colorful group of characters are having an alleged standoff with the older versions of themselves there is a closeup on the “young” characters’ face. When the close-up shot appears he says in a crisp voice “We are not ready!”. Now, open to translation like majority of the aspects and events that happen in the film, one can possibly assume that he is referring to not being considered “ready” to grow up. By using the close-up, and having exaggerated silence up until the dialogue gives the viewer a larger sense of value on what dialogue is intended to follow.
In the short film, there is possibility for sound effects throughout the entirety of it. For example, in the beginning where there is a strong sense of silence and tension sourcing from it and then the quick focus on the children’s toy xylophone being played and a simple but very crisp song emitting from it. The sound effects that can be involved in this is the edit of the separate audio of the xylophone being played. Personally, if I wanted to emphasize the song coming from the instrument I would layer audio effects through it by using Adobe Premiere. Potential effects could be ranging from Volume Control, to maybe a slight echo to incorporate. I think one misconception of audio effects is that they have to be prominent. In which, is not the case. Even just adjusting the volume level of one audio track to contrast with other tracks can make all of the difference (depending on what your intentions are).
The music that was used in the film is actually the song sourcing from the xylophone that can be seen being played at the beginning of the film. By only using the colorful children’s toy, it sparks the questioning of if the xylophone is valued more because it is symbolism of some message. I translated the focus of the xylophone and its sound as recognition of the youthful group first being introduced.
“Joe” Film:
In the short film “Joe” there is no dialogue for an intentional reason. They value the sounds sourcing from the environment more than dialogue due to them wanting to create a certain feel. The initial “feeling” that one could get from this viewing is the sense of uncomfortability. One source that contributes to this theme is by emphasizing and focusing on certain sounds that many of us in today’s society would find “annoying”. Sounds like the constant drip sound of liquid so intensely crisp that it makes the illusion that it is happening right next to your ear. There is no apparent visual edit that I personally had picked up on, but seeming intentional due to the amplified “harsh reality” theme the filmmakers seemed to be intending. Since there is no dialogue, there are no visual cuts that contribute to any specific lines being said, but that does not mean there aren’t any useful visual cuts being used. Since there is intentional use of silence and no dialogue throughout the entirety, visuals seem to be more valued. As stated previously, with the extra emphasis on action sounds from the environment surrounding. By focusing on surrounding sounds that are aimed to make the viewer uncomfortable– there are small visual cuts throughout that go quickly to focus on what the current sound could be sourcing from. Or, in other cases- they leave the visual focus out to make the viewer intrigued and try to translate what sounds could be potentially involved and/or layered.
In “Joe”, there is multiple different sound effects occurring rapidly throughout the entire video. By having absolutely no dialogue throughout- it leaves a large amount of space to utilize all other aspects of the video. Since there is no talking the viewer is left to inevitably focus on visuals and the surrounding sounds sourcing from the environment. By focusing strictly on action sounds and naturally occurring audio coming from surroundings there can be a large use in Audio Effects. These audio effects could quite literally be simple layerings of intensifying Clarity, Echo, and the general volume level control. Such as, for the loud, crisp dripping sound halfway through the film that occurs from one bystander in the film. This sound appears to become a focus for the viewer, by amplifying the volume to make it appear more of an overwhelming sound. As stated above, the intentions and theme of this video seem to be aimed for the uncomfortability that sources from making a focus on random everyday sounds that can be found “annoying” in a sense.
As for music, there is none found in this video. This is for the reason that one can argue that if there was music- it would take away from the prominent theme showing through of uncomfortability and awkwardness. I would agree on that if there was any in the video it would have to be somewhat diluted and blended into the background (to not distract from the larger aspects like intentional silence).
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