Recording the Soundtrack

Cameron has now finished recording the four pieces we require for the film, a piece for the opening sequence at  the breakfast table, another for the meltdown sequence, the third for the section where the mother leaves the house and the last for the outdoor scene.

These are some of the influences we gave him and how we went about explaining to him. 

• We recorded on a microtrack - using a Grand Piano in the theatre of our school to get a resonant sound and use a high quality instrument.

1. For the breakfast scene we were inspired by the childlike music used in Disney Pixar films such as Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc

2. Then for the meltdown scene we wanted Camerons classical background to be at the forefront, we wanted that complex classical sound switching keys, melodies and crossing between major and minor to contrast with the simple family film style used in the first scene where order and simplicity is the key

• We had less ideas as to exact pieces Cameron might replicate but more moods and tones we wanted to come across, we made it clear that the piece should build to a dramatic ending and should feel complex to listen to reflect what was happening on screen, we showed him the film several times so he might get a feel for what we wanted

3. For the transitional section where the child calms again and the mother decides to leave the house there should be a return to that first simple melodic tune that we used in the opening scene which will ironically contrast with the mother's choice to leave, the music should also feel like the sound coming from the TV, it cuts in just after the mother turns on the Tv

• The influences we gave Cameron for this were young children's TV shows, this one specifically we thought captured the manic nature of the child and the volatility of the situation on screen

4. Then finally for the end scene with the mother outside we wanted to return to the classical music that had accompanied the meltdown, however we wanted it to have a more legato feel, we wanted the sound to feel more controlled and inevitable

• again in this instance we didn't have any exact examples for Cameron but explained that this piece should be more emotive, we explained that the mother's situation was such that although she may want to just walk out there was no ability for her to do so and therefore the piece should not have hope, only a sense of fate and a clear path

HH