Garageband Sound Task: for 'Identity'.

We watched the opening of the 2003 film 'Identity' which stars John Cusack, it follows ten strangers in a motel on a rainy night as they gradually get killed off one by one. After watching the opening (without sound) we created our own sound to fit the video, this has helped us to get good timing for sound effects in the video and to use an appropriate soundtrack. You can see in the screenshot below that we imported the video so that we were accurately able to add music to it. Also noted is that we have muted the sound of the movie - this prevents it from conflicting with our own.

Movie track (muted)

Most of our sound used came from the preset loops that are found in the Garageband program. There are a variety of different sound effects, along with soundtrack clips that can be combined to create different atmospheres or moods. For this movie, which was a thriller, we needed to to be dark yet intriguing causing suspense and tension for the audience. You can see an example of how we selected our sounds in the 'loops' screenshot below. There are many different categories available, which makes it easier to find the sounds that are suitable. The software is even able to show the tempo, key and beats that the sound has which could be helpful if you were trying to make something distinct and show continuity.

Example of 'Loops' in Garageband

We decided to add the diagetic sounds first as they were the most intense. Our first ambience clip was for the rain in the background, we repeated the clip many times so that it appears natural and ongoing. The track volume was also considerably lowered to reflect how it is not the main focus of the sound, and that there are many other elements. Another ambience track, the thunder, which was added to fit with the lightning seen. Both are screenshots below.

Another important part of the diagetic sound was the tape recorder. There are two parts to the sound here. First is the static-like sound which we added as the tape recorder began. We found this under machines in the 'loops'. However, there is also another part to this, the clip of the bottom. We found it particularly hard to find a clip or a button sound that was appropriate. Instead we used the keyboard built into Garageband and used a low note as the click. This can be seen on the track 'Pop Kit'.

Tape recorder sounds (static & click)

After adding the diagetic sound we began to add the non-diagetic soundtrack that we expected to be heard. This would have have many more layers and would have been longer, but we didn't have enough time to add it in. Therefore we have the opening section with a slow violin piece which helped to add suspense.

Non-diagetic soundtrack

All together the final screenshot of our Garageband sound look like this: