Music & SFX

Originally, I was considering sourcing music from Youtube and sources like Pixabay. I looked around for different types of music. I knew I wanted it to be gentle, preferably acoustic or a piano cover of sorts, but it just didn't fit into the pacing I had planned. And there was always something off with the music when I added it to the actual animation. I was always more focused on the music than the film.

I ended up with making my own progression. I tried using garageband and playing around with it by plugging it into a keyboard, but it was overly complicated. I also wasn't that familiar with the platform, so I couldn't get the timing right.

At the end, I just went the old-fashioned route. I used my acoustic guitar and played around with different chord shapes and progressions. I wanted it to sound bright, maybe have a few weirder chords, but overall should have a hopeful sound. I put it over the main montage bit and the transition shots of Gary moving into his new home.

The progression was: D, Am, Am7, E, Gmaj7

I still thought I should choose a few pre-existing pieces of music for the film to allow for the audience to relate to this even more. Understanding and empathising with Gary's situation. If this film was made for commercial purposes, the copyright for music would be needed. Meaning I would have to get the synchronisation license for the composition from the publisher and the master use license for the specific recording from the record label. This would be done through requesting permission via a written request to explain the film, how the song would be used and the budget. Since these are very popular songs, the songs would probably cost a lot. Then when agreed, there would be a signed agreement for both licenses and the music can be used.

Due to the iconography and the association of the song 'Boys Don't Cry' by the Cure, it seemed right to use it as the opening sequence as a needle drop. The lyrics very much aligned with the narrative. It also helped create an energetic pacing at the beginning of the film. I was able to match the appearance of the title with the chorus when it says 'Boys Don't Cry,' making it feel more impactful.

For the ending bit, I wanted it to be a gentle and emotional moment. I was deciding between 'Beautiful Boy' by John Lennon and 'Everyone Adores You' by Matt Maltese. At the end, I chose 'Beautiful Boy' as the lyrics worked better with the film's narrative and visuals. It also leaves room for interpretation, knowing the child is a boy, it's slightly bittersweet and an open-ended ending. Leaving the audience with a question of whether Gary would repeat his father's lessons to his own son or not.

In terms of sound effects, I used the ones available on capcut mostly due to the variety they had, and how convenient and clear they were. I put an office, background noise on top of the waiting shots. A clock tick, padded footsteps, and a slight 'cubicle echo' sound effect on top of the recorded. audio to enhance the atmosphere. I got the baby cry at the end from capcut effects as well.

The thunder was my own recording, I enhanced the rain pattering in the transition shots. When I was doing the editing, it was almost perfect timing when rain started pouring. I used the Voice Memos app to do the recording and got thunder and rain. It was a bit difficult as the Voice Memos app captured a lot of background static and other noises, but I put it on a window, facing the recorder part outside and that seemed to do the trick.

On top of that, I used 'I'm Not In Love' by 10cc (the whispered big boys don’t cry part) for after Gary gets rejected at work. Just to really push the emotions of that shot. The repetition of the words 'boys don't cry' also acts as a subconscious mantra that Gary hears whenever he feels himself get more vulnerable and emotional. The hushed way these words are said juxtaposing the actually message of the words.

I kept all of my audio neatly in a folder, so it was easy to access.

Then editing certain parts, mostly for the volume. I had to make sure the audio was clear as I didn't want to add subtitles for the most part.