Introduction to Film

Sound and Cinema 9/17/2016

Utilizing the rest of class time (and/or any time you might have between now and Thursday’s class) answer the following three questions regarding sound in cinema. Make sure that your examples are specific. It’s not enough just to list a title; you need to answer the question fully, utilizing examples from your referenced film.

1. In your opinion, what film has the most memorable score? Why? Is the score orchestral in nature? Does it rely on pop songs/source music? Is it a combination of the two?

The film I choose for the most memorable score is “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.” Written by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach, and also directed by Wes Anderson. The score for Life Aquatic was done by Mark Mothersbaugh of the band Devo. (That is from the 1980’s kids) and the music is done by David Bowie. “The Life Aquatic” is about a famous, over the hill, down on his luck oceanographer and documentarian, Steve Zissou (played by the great Bill Murray). . Team Zissou has just released their newest movie called “The Jaguar Shark Part 1.” The title came from a tragic incident where Steve is witness his hetero-life mate, best friend and partner of twenty-seven years, Esteban du Plantier’s (played by Seymour Cassel) savage death by a “Jaguar Shark.” There is no real video evidence of the Jaguar Shark or what happened to Esteban, so many people believe what happened in the film “Jaguar Shark Part 1” was made up or staged to get rating/attention. Regardless of the naysayers and critics Steve vows to make another movie where he tracks down the Jaguar Shark, and will attempt to kill it, avenging Esteban’s death. Which to me is very much a homage to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, but I digress this is about movie soundtracks and scores.

What I really like about the movie score/soundtrack is the use of David Bowie songs, as I have been a fan of Bowie’s music. While Wes Anderson uses David Bowie songs, they are sung acoustically in Portuguese by “Team Zissou” crew member Pele (played by Seu Jorge). After years of being “The Zissou” the most famous oceanographer in the world, I believe Steve has a very difficult time dealing with reality. He uses marijuana and booze to cope with his new chapter of not being on top anymore. Steve has surrounded himself with his wife Eleanor Zissou (played by Anjelica Huston) and crew members who allow him to stay in his fantasy world. When Steve’s fantasy world is penetrated by the the real world, Pele is seen singing and playing Portuguese versions of David Bowie’s other-worldly songs, bringing us back to the thought that Steve does not live in the real world, but his fantasies.

The first real thing to happen to Steve is Esteban’s untimely death. Steve doesn’t really show any real emotions or any of the stages of grief. So the first song sung by Pele is David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust.” The song “Ziggy Stardust” represents Steve’s reluctance to accept Esteban’s death and how Steve wishes he lived in another world. That other world for Steve is the ocean. Then after the “Jaguar Shark Part 1” screening Steve meets Ned Plimpton (played by Owen Wilson) who turns out might be Steve’s bastard son from a past relationship years ago. Steve freaks out upon meeting Ned and walks/runs away from Ned to smoke a joint. While

Steve is smoking the joint, the song “Life on Mars” is playing in the background. Again another David Bowie song, but this time it is actually the David Bowie studio version of the song. Again the song represents Steve not wanting to be apart of this world or this new reality where Steve could actually be a father. Ned doesn’t give up and ends up following Steve and confronting him. Steve and Ned come to an agreement that they would try to make this relationship work. In this scene Pele is singing another David Bowie song in the background “Changes”. The song “Changes” represents maybe Steve and Ned can have a relationship after all, only if Steve is truly willing to change his ways. Steve then asks Ned if he would like to join him on his Island “The Zissou Compound.” Ned eagerly agrees to go to the island with Steve. The next scene is Steve and Ned flying in a plane to “The Zissou Compound.” Pele is again seen singing in portuguese another David Bowie song. This time Pele is singing David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel.” This song represents Steve again in his true nature rebelling against the idea of being a father. Steve never wanted to be a father. Steve even says to Ned at one point that he hates fathers, and never wanted to be one.

Later that evening on the island “Team Zissou” is filming a segment for their new film “The Jaguar Shark Part II”. This is where we meet Jane Winslett-Richardson (played by Cate Blanchett). Jane is a very obviously pregnant, magazine writer, writing a cover story for her magazine on Steve Zissou and his new movie. At this point we don’t know very much about Jane except that she is pregnant and probably shouldn’t even be traveling. Jane also happens to be a lifelong fan of Steve’s. In a later scene we do find out a little more about Jane while she calls and leaves a message for her editor. We find out by the message she leaves that the editor is the father of her unborn child, who happens to be married but not to her. This scene really makes me think that Jane and Steve are having similar issues. I say that because in the background of Jane’s telephone scene Pele is singing another portuguese David Bowie song “Lady Stardust.” So I think for Jane in her current situation, being pregnant, having to be a single mother, and that it is her editor's baby, she too wants to go to another world and not have to deal with the consequences of her actions.

One of the real turning points in the film is where Steve’s funding for the movie “Jaguar Shark Part II” goes under. There is no more money to finance the movie, so in turn no movie and no revenge for Steve. Ned, having come into a sizable inheritance from his mother passing, overhears the financing problems and agreed to invest $275,000 to keep the movie running and to also serve as executive producer. With Ned’s investment “Team Zissou” is back up and filming. While training with the scuba gear Ned almost drowns. Eleanor, after hearing the news of Ned’s near drowning, and learning the fact that Steve took Ned’s money to finance the movie, can’t believe Steve “took that poor boy’s money” and is totally fed up with Steve and his hijinks. Eleanor decides to leave Steve and the Island all together. You again see Pele singing another portuguese David Bowie song “Rock n Roll Suicide” This song represents the end for Steve, it represents Steve’s final collapse as a human being/ washed up celebrity, his personal life is in ruins all due to his unrelenting pursuit of his Jaguar Shark ala Moby Dick. Steve has become obsessed with revenge.

Despite Eleanor “being the brains behind Team Zissou” Steve decides to set off for his Jaguar Shark revenge mission. While at sea Ned and Jane become closer to each other, much to Steve’s dismay. There is tension between the three of them on board, making everything uneasy. A few days later, Steve decides to go on a faster, but much more dangerous, route to

find the Jaguar Shark. While on this treacherous route Steve’s ship “The Belafonte” is attacked by pirates. Just before the pirates attack, Pele is singing another David Bowie portuguese song “Space Oddity.” This song represents Steve’s feeling of free falling through life. He no longer has any connection to reality. He is hellbent on finding the Jaguar Shark, regardless of how long it takes, what it costs, or who it could possibly hurt. The pirates hijack the boat, tie and blindfold everyone on board. Learning that Ned is to be kidnapped, Steve goes through an emotional roller coaster of fear for himself and crew. Steve’s flight or fight response is activated. He loosens his bonds and starts fighting against his captures. In the midst of the fight Steve gets his hands on a gun and shots the pirates off his boat. During this scene the first pop song that isn’t done by David Bowie is playing in the background. The song is “Search and Destroy” by The Stooges. This song is a direct correlation to the events around Steve. Steve is literally searching for the pirates and destroying them. I don’t think there is any other meaning using this particular song. (Fun tidbit “Search and Destroy” was originally mixed by David Bowie.)

After the smoke settles and all the pirates are gone, the crew realizes that the Bond Company Stooge, Bill is missing and was taken hostage by the Pirates. Steve starts to question how did the Pirates attack the ship without anyone noticing. It is revealed that Ned was supposed to be on guard duty. This is when Steve finds out that Ned and Jane are in fact romantically involved. This revelation infuriates Steve. Steve and Ned start arguing and fighting over Jane. While Steve and Ned are fighting over Jane you see Pele singing another portuguese version of a David Bowie song “Five Years.” This song reflects the possible ending of the Steve’s and Ned’s relationship. They agree to part ways after the movie is done shooting.

Eleanor comes back to the boat after hearing about the pirate attack. Eleanor and Jane are talking and it is revealed that Steve “shoots blanks due to spending so much time underwater” which means it is impossible for Ned to be Steve’s son. Then you see Pele in the recording studio singing another portuguese version of a David Bowie song “Life on Mars?” I think this song is for both Steve and Ned and their shared disappointment with the reality of their situations even if they don’t want to admit it.

The “Team Zissou” crew all decide they have to rescue Bill, the Bond Company Stooge from the pirates. With the help of Eleanor they figure out where the pirates hideout is located. “Team Zissou” lands on Ping Island. In the background there is techno/electronica music playing which we find out later is called “Ned’s Theme Take 1” Bill is rescued by “Team Zissou” and brought back to the Belafonte.

With everyone back safe on the Belafonte, Ned and Steve decide to take the helicopter out to see if they can spot the Jaguar Shark from up there. The song “30 Century Man” is playing in the background. This is the second non-David Bowie pop song used in the movie. This song relates to the hopeful future between Steve and Ned and finishing the movie and finding the Jaguar Shark. Unfortunately, the helicopter is very old and hasn’t been serviced in a very long time. The helicopter malfunctions and crashes into the ocean. Steve escapes the crash with not a scratch, the same can not be said for Ned. Ned is hurt very badly and ends up dying in Steve’s arms. The third non-David Bowie song is playing in the background during Ned’s funeral. “The Way I Feel Inside” by The Zombies. This song directly correlates to what Steve is feeling about the loss of Ned, the loss of Esteban, finally realizing that his obsession is what lead to both deaths.

At the end of the movie “Team Zissou” is again at movie screening, this time for “The Jaguar Shark Part II.” Steve is noticeably absent from the theater, Steve is actually outside the theater sitting on the red carpet. The end of the movie the song “Queen Bitch” another David Bowie song is playing but this time it’s the actual studio release of it.. This song relates to Steve regaining his mojo. Steve is back on top, he was right all along about the Jaguar Shark. I would like to think that Steve learned a hard lesson about revenge, but using this song makes me think Steve will continue to be Steve and do what Steve does. He hasn’t really learned anything. Since he was right about the Jaguar Shark, in his mind all of his decisions were justified.

In summary, all of the David Bowie music/covers used in this movie have direct correlations to major issues or obstacles in Steve’s life. The songs are used to describe Steve’s internal feelings because in the movie he doesn’t really show any true feelings of remorse or guilt or really any emotion. The score for the movie provided the insight into the character of Steve, he would not have been so complex, and therefore interesting, without it.

2. In your opinion, what film would be completely different (either more or less successful) without the presence of professional sound design? How would it be different? What would work better/worse without sound effects?

The movie I chose for this question is the original “The Pink Panther” made in 1963. Written by Maurice Richlin and Blake Edwards, who also directed “The Pink Panther”. This movie also Introduced the world to the very underrated Peter Sellers. I believe the movie Pink Panther would have been much less successful and less funny without the presence of professional sound design. As in any type of slap stick comedy movie it just wouldn’t have been as funny without the sound effects. I call this “The Three Stooges” effect. If you just watch Peter Sellers fall down or trip over someone without the sound effect it wouldn’t be funny. Peter Sellers deadpan delivery can be funny. So he probably would have had a successful silent film career if he was born in that generation ala Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton. That being said you would feel more guilt laughing at someone hurting themselves if there wasn’t sound effects. Sound effects for slapstick movies work because it sounds almost cartoonish. We all know cartoons can’t get hurt so you can laugh guilt free at these types of movies. Sound effects really adds to the whole viewing experience of the film in my opinion.

3. Imagine you were the sound designer for Vampyr (1932). Given that the film is silent, what is an improvement you might be able to make to the film simply utilizing sound? Be specific to a scene.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in class to watch the exact version of Vampyr that everyone else in class got to watch. I did however find a version of the film on Hulu, the version I found actually had sound. So given the question I was very confused at this point. I ended up doing some more in- depth research on the film Vampyr. Vampyr was directed by the famous French director Carl Theodor Dreyer and came out in 1932. The film was scored by Wolfgang Zeller. Vampyr was the first talking picture made by Dreyer, all his previous movies including his masterpiece “The Passion of Joan of Arc” were all silent films. I find it very interesting that Dreyer didn’t like using professional actors in his movies. Most of the actors in Dreyer films were amateurs, and is really amazing to see untrained actors giving such inspiring performances, for example again “The Passion of Joan of Arc”. The way he was able to reach into his actors and pull out so much emotion is astounding. Even the star of Vampyr, Julian West wasn’t a professional actor. He was French-born of Russian nobility and agreed to finance Vampyr in exchange for the lead role. Dryer in some ways was ahead of his time. For example, Vampyr was dubbed into three languages. English, French and German for three different markets. Before Vampyr most movies were dubbed only in the origin country’s dialect. So in this way he was innovative and ahead of his time realizing the potential money in other markets. Another tidbit I found interesting is that the Universal Studios vampire movie, Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi came out a year before Vampyr. Both movies were similar in style and feel, I am not sure who copied who persay but I enjoyed both films.. Since the version that I watched actually had both sound and a score, I am not really sure how to answer this question. I was impressed by Vampyr and was pleasantly surprised it was done by Dryer. I had never actually watched an entire film directed by Dryer, all I have seen of his work has been on movie documentaries. I was really impressed, I really liked how Dryer put a thin gauze in front of the camera lens to get that hazy, otherworldly feel. That small thing really added to the total feel of the film.