Task 2 – Dark Knight chase scene

Here is my chase scene composed in logic pro using just 1 piano track.

updated 13th Feb

Report:

My objective was to compose a soundtrack to accompany the chase scene in the film The Dark Knight.

I wanted to highlight where batman nearly hits a pedestrian in the mall 0’10″, the explosion and motorbike entering the street at 0’26″ and the lorry flipping over at 0’53″ as these are areas of the most exciting on screen action in this scene or form important parts to the film plot.

I particularly liked David Arnold’s composition for the Quantum of Solace car chase at the start of the film (link), The underlining percussion builds suspense and the string and brass sections gradually increase in key to build anticipation and fear (this occurs from 3’00″ – 3’29″). With this as an influence I modified the ideas by drawing inspiration from both my last variations task and piano compositions of Ludovico Einaudi such as Dietro Casa.

I used a midi keyboard and the step input keyboard to input the notes because of this the notes had a more human pattern to the velocities. I researched dynamics and decided to try crescendos and vary the dynamics of parts I have done this through both gradual and sudden changes of velocity.

To carry out this task I researched music theory particularly focusing on dynamics, I also watched a number of chase scenes to hear what other composers have produced. I would award myself a mark of around 60% for this task because I feel my piece provides supporting evidence to my research and indicates an understanding of composing for chase scenes and it works well with the scene.

word count: 264

References:

Books:

• Davis, R (2000) Complete Guide to Film Scoring. Boston: Berklee Press
• Karlin, F and Wright, R (2004). On the Track A guide to contemporary film scoring (revised second edition). London: Routledge

Webpages:

• Wikipedia (2011). Dynamics (music). Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamics_(music)>. [accessed 10/2/2011].
• Wikipedia (2011). Quantum of Solace (soundtrack). Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_of_Solace_(soundtrack)>.[accessed 10/2/2011].
• Arnold.D (2007). DA  07.  Available at: <http://www.davidarnold.com/>.[accessed 11/2/2011].

Films:

• The Dark Knight. (2008) [DVD], dir. Nolan,C USA: Warner Bros
• Quantum of Solace (2008) [DVD], dir. Forster, M UK: 20th Century Fox
• This is England (2006) [DVD], dir. Meadows, S UK: Optimum Home Entertainment
• Youtube (2009). Classical Music 101: Fast, Frenetic, Chase Scene Music. Available at: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S4NDnNTptY >. [accessed 9/2/2011].

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

I thought I would add a few videos I found while carrying out my research.

and here is a strange one the soundtrack is the car, this chase scene is probably the most famous chase scene ever and if has no music during the actual chase only in the lead up to the chase. Bullitt (1968)

Advertisement