Questions
1. As the sequence begins, what sounds do we hear before the music begins?
2. As the music begins we only see Nicholas' face, not what he sees. How is the music used to indicate that all is not well?
3. How does the music change as he picks up the photograph? What mood or emotion is suggested?
4. As he notices the envelope, how does the music indicate that it is unlikely to contain good news?
5. How does the music change as he opens the envelope and discovers his new Ugandan passport? What does the music tell us about Nicholas' feelings?
6. The image changes to blurred headlamps. A new style of music is heard. Try to describe this music and how it changes as he gets to the door.
Solutions
1. As the sequence begins with the peacocks walking around on the grass, minding their own business we are still able to hear the diegetic sound (this is easily explained as the sound that audience and the actors/actresses can both hear) of a man playing an instrument in a room from the last scene which then turns non-diegetic (this is when we are able to hear a sound that is not heard by the actors).
2. In this specific clip of Nicholas walking into a house, the film crew have taken a close up shot in order to catch full detail of his facial expressions whilst the music also plays a massive role in drawing in the audience by playing a non-diegetic sound which is used to exaggerate the moment. This is key because the sound which is played is aimed to start low and finish high this also creates a massive build up for the audience.
3. As Nicholas picks up the photograph from the floor which was nicely framed the music (non-diegetic sounds) starts to differ and by this, what's simply meant is that the music becomes slightly more subtle as it looks like he was brought back in time by the photograph for a split second. This suggests that they were directed to display a sound that is thought to be a depressing mood, the reason I say this is because two things are going through his mind, he wasn't originally looking for this photograph but he's come across it. Secondly, it has made him think back to the good old days.
4. As soon as Nicholas sets his eyes upon the envelope the music starts to build up again but, this time the only difference is that it's more vigorous which emerges a mood to the audience which automatically puts you under pressure, once you feel this way from the sound of a specific clip, this tells you that whatever he will find will not be good news. However, that's just the feel of the sound, other than that it is possible that what he finds could be positive news.
5. The music changes as Nicholas opens the envelope and discovers his new Ugandan Passport quite uniquely, the reason for this is that they are trying to bring out the best of his emotions. There is a sort of slam noise as opens the passport and realises that it's his new Ugandan passport then he falls back into the chair with shock and surprise together, this helps majorly in bringing out the best of his feelings.
6. This is a very well used style of sound which is used in a lot of films that have been produced in the 21st Century. Personally, this sound reminds me of chanting however, there aren't people chanting it's in form of beeping sounds which get louder and louder as time goes by. However, as he gets to the house door the sound starts to decrease and that's when a newer sound is introduce which is more gentle compared to the build up sounds.
