Voldemort Leitmotif: Brainstorm

Entry #1

To gather some inspiration for my Voldemort leitmotif I’ve used the template provided from class to map out my ideas – do I want dark material, light material or a combination of both?

Entry #2

Using the melodic starting ideas from class I have played around with them on the keyboard on Garageband and see if any of them stick with me to grow into something Voldemort-esque to incorporate in my soundtrack.

Check out some ideas I’ve plotted out in regards to the brainstorm…

And also…. some improvising! Check out my videos in this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11eY1D3WV2vmAnGGBPk2f56hS-da1yFtw

Scene Setting: The FINAL Battle

Entry #3

Before I even begin to get some ideas for what sort of soundtrack I want to achieve here to enhance our visuals in this scene, I’VE GOT TO WATCH IT FIRST! The scene 50 seconds long…again, like how I set a character/personality to Voldemort, I’m hoping to do the same for the 50 second fight scene. To start things off nice and simple, I’m going to use the Scene Setting: Brainstorm Cues template we used in a class activity.

Entry #4

Now that I’ve got a general taste on what sort of mood I want to set in this battle scene I’m going to map out some more ideas in detail with the “The Spotting Process” template we have used in class previously. Areas I’m watching out for are; hit points, sound effects (and where I will use music technology), mickey mousing, as well as where I will incorporate my Voldemort leitmotif.

Moving my ideas to a working space, Garageband

Entry #5

To create the ominous mood almost immediately, I have decided to open with a drone in the strings (minor key with chords building) and an underlying current achieved by the lower strings (cellos and bass) in a dotted rhythm. Here we are really able to see Voldemort’s superiority over Harry.

However, although I am happy with how the opening is turning out, I and pondering whether this will be a good place for me to introduce my Voldemort leitmotif.

Furthermore, when both characters fall, I am looking for a boomy sound effect to portray the danger Harry is in.

Entry #6

Following on from last session, I explored the sound files in the “sound effects” bar from Garageband and found the perfect “jump” to suggest the epic sequence following. Attempting the mickey mouse effect, I aligned the sound to happen exactly at the same time Voldemort jumps off taking Harry with him – emphasises the dramatic effect of his action.

Referencing with my storyboard where we approach the flying scene I have added another layer of orchestral tone colours here to thicken texture, highlighting the increased intensity of the atmosphere. The strings are playing in a higher register with repetitive notes and descending in contour – to follow the movement of how Voldemort is torturing Harry.

Entry #7

I am still scene setting here with focus on bringing out textures to deliver the mood and its heightened suspense in this final battle.

Now, Harry is faced with a viscous attack by Voldemort and we can see them thrashing through buildings – up and over, down and under. To match the scene with the music, I have again increased texture with another three layers of strings harmonies (with brass interjections to enrich the fuller tone). The pitch in the strings are now moving in a more scalic direction, with quicker note values. Melodically and rhythmically, it is getting very busy, almost a polyphony of sounds to elucidate to the climax of the scene.

Entry #8

I am quite satisfied with what I have so far, however, some of the timing of the various tracks were not syncing up in time so I have increased the grid units to further make the alignment more accurate.

Heading towards the end of the scene I see a complete change of mood – somewhat “helplessness”. We see Harry and Voldemort crash landing onto the ground – something that has not happened until now (the sequence is largely focused with them being up high). With this in mind I want to make a contrast (sky vs ground) so I have decided to change the mood completely. From an intense and dark mood I have transitioned towards a much more peaceful one – achieved immediate drop out of orchestral instruments right after the next added “crash” sound effect. Here I choose I different performing media altogether – two different choirs – to create that holy and heavenly atmosphere.

Have a listen to what I have here so far of the soundtrack… https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oiCBVM6qsgd4-ZOQUDX3P9e3U76EuEyy

Entry #9

Now that I’ve got my underscoring down packed I have now looked into editing it with effects from music technology.

I follow the visual scene progression to correspond dynamics and other expressive techniques to suit the mood. Moving the volume up gradually using the marker points (equivalent to a crescendo) brings out the intensity and danger eminent in this battle. The echo effect I’ve also added brings a haunted atmosphere to the overall scene. Reverb further highlights this idea, particularly in the ascending scalic passage work in the strings.

To conclude the scene, I’ve panned out and faded the master track to get a more rounded conclusion.

Let’s listen to these effects…https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vI9iFyWT4xW7-UKWZ8sWjP9ME9uJbYs2

Entry #10

Having been working on the entire soundtrack, I have had much inspiration on how my Voldemort leitmotif will carry out itself as well as where I would like to situate it in my soundtrack.

Going back to my brainstorm ideas near the beginning of this process I recorded down some examples I would potentially like to use (on the Garageband keyboard). Check them out here https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UuApHLQmgIvxzMbvS_y8pc0bsoAzDeGg

In the final update to my soundtrack you will be able to hear the leitmotif in its entirety. I have chosen to incorporate it at the opening as this is where the audience is introduced to his authority over Harry. From there it sets the mood effectively into this final battle scene. Somewhat, the strings are setting up this leitmotif with similar pitches and intervalic relationships between their notes.

I’ve kept my idea of augmented intervals in my leitmotif as I feel that it brings a very eerie and evil trait – particularly suiting for Voldemort. Long note values with sustained notes built upon on another to symbolise his complex character. The harmonic embellishment towards the end of the leitmotif really does give off that ‘unpredictable’ mood which is appropriate for him.

Enjoy my complete soundtrack here! https://drive.google.com/open?id=1A_Ms8nOoDocSJiEQJGZ1wrjHkrZd4EFE

Here you can view my hard work from practice sessions I’ve attempted to fit in amongst my busy school life – content entails video entry of a run through of what I’ve worked on and reflection on that run through ‘take’.

Check them out here https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QI3xXxUrDujoupPFmrPI3yFxhSBpGFg2

AND HERE IS THE FINAL PERFORMANCE WHICH WAS RECORDED DURING OUR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT WEEK!! https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JjX6Jh2mYizRdG-5BFjjkzDLqVv84x1d

Decisions, decisions!

So… let’s start with why I have chosen this piece for my performance task. I love the lyrical melody sung with such an angelic yet haunting tone. Although, I am a violinist (not a singer) I have found an arrangement of this piece for the violin and piano. Lyrics will not be a part of this performance, however, I do believe that the variety of colours the violin can produce compliments the enchanting mood this song offers. Techniques such as word painting which obviously cannot be portrayed on the violin, but through my interpretation, I will be able to incorporate other string techniques to portray the musical ideas, complimenting with the mood and story of the film. Like how pictures go hand in hand with some writing, so does music and film, and in this case, “Once Upon a December” is an effective theme portraying the magical story.

Analysis:

Here are some observations I’ve made whilst having a watch (and listen!) of the scene from the film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyUBdLm3s9U

I used the music concepts brainstorm worksheets from our class as a general listening first…

From the first listening, what struck me the most was the mood in which the music itself was able to portray the ‘fairytale’ imagination. Notably, the use of performing media has already caught my excitement and sense of curiosity right from the introduction of the song. I’ve used “The Spotting Process” storyboard provided in one of the class activities to use as a template for my analysis whilst watching with the visual scene as well to try and formulate some insights with appropriate terminology.

The most compelling feeling is being able to connect with the characters with the effectiveness of music and soundtrack, and the way the scene is played out. “Anastasia” is one of my favourite Disney films and to have such an identifiable theme says many things about the way audiences connect with the film and the music.

My own performance notes:

To shape up my thoughts, I have annotated the score and put in some of my interpretations on how my performance can reflect the characters and the mood.

Thanks for joining me! Here’ I’ll be sharing my documentation in my performance and compositional preparation for the unit of work I am currently studying now – Soundtrack: Composing Music for Film.