The natural water sounds was enjoyable, and hearing the natural sounds throughout the piece was also intriguing. It tied the piece together. In the beginning I was not sure about the music for it was more distracting then actually enhancing. The timing for the faster string instruments and Tori's rapid movements was nice. The spurts of the faster music as well as the faster dancing was a nice editing decision. Once the faster music kicked in I though it went well together, especially with the shower pole splitting the screen, it was a nice wide shot. From that point on, the music, water, and dancers flowed extremely well together.
I appreciated the sound that the water made as we splashed and drenched our two bodies against the puddled floor. And the audio mix was very interesting--actually I found it quite funny--I didn't expect that quality of music to layer into this dance. You edited the sound quite well and allowed for its motion and score to align itself to the bodily movements--specifically to the part when it builds and my arms also build into this wild flinging-ness.
However, I began to drift and lose focus as the videodance entered the static shot of the duet in the end--I loss the build, it kind of descended from its mount in a way.
I was impressed by how Patrick obtained this music - it sounds like he went to great lengths to create what he wanted. I was also impressed by how he had to impose water sounds that were not those recorded on site. These sounds seem fitting against the music track - complimentary, and kinesthetically important. I think the video would have felt a bit fake somehow without them (if using this music, that is).
I am pleased that there are two distinct music qualities that seem to correspond to each dancer. It was apparent that the more intense music was for Tori and her wild motions, while the lighter music was for Dahlia and her more flowy movements. I wonder if this musical designation could have been developed more? Maybe utilize the water sounds in a distinct way as well? I think there are rich possibilities with the sound of water. I thought the music was maybe a little video-gamish for this idea, but this could just be from years of playing Zelda on Super Nintendo.
The sounds of the water worked well on top of the song to give the piece a sense of reality with a twist. I was particularly struck by the moment when the music began to build when Tori flung her arms rapidly. The music seemed to match the movements of the dancers up until the end. I was confused when the dancers disappeared but the music kept going. When the dancers disappear the tone of the piece changes which should have been reflected in the music.
The sound of trickling water was very pleasing. Brings the audience into the shower with the dancers. I longed to hear more moments of just pure water noise. There are so many different noises of water- dropping, splashing, trickling, moving etc. that could have been played with more fully. I did enjoy the music though, particularly how each dancer had a different mood of music in the beginning and it seemed to fuse together towards the end.
In terms of the level of kinesthetic response to this film, the sounds of the water greatly improve my experience. I am impressed with the film even more after learning that the music if an original score you have a friend create for the piece and that you had to recreate the water sounds. Nice work with original soundscore. The piano/musical accompaniment to the movement is interesting. It supports the development of these two different 'moods' and even further clarifies for me as a viewer the specificity of difference between the two-- I see Dahlia as lighter and Tori as more violent. After establishing these two unique sounds however, I feel that you let the moods blend too early for me in the musical score. I want there to be a definite this is Dahlia music and this is Tori music a little longer before the sounds feed into each other.
The last dance sequence, I am struck by the simplicity and power of the phrasing and the visuals where you see Dahlia's hands, then Tori's hands, and then the wide shot of both of them with their hands. I long for the ending disappearing act to happen there before any of the extended movement sequence occurs. I like the crispness of the visual and it becomes soggy by keeping the camera still for so long. My only other note in regards to sound at this point is that at moments I hear circus and street organs and I am not sure how that plays into the shower atmosphere of the piece.
Very interesting soundtrack! It brought me a new perspective about this dance (rather than an abstract and moody impression left by the silent-version). The water sounds so real that I couldn't recognize it was redone (if you didn't tell). However, I don't know if it's your intention but I would love this water sound to be closer, sweeter and more arty, not just the "real" sound as in a documentary.
Comments
However, I began to drift and lose focus as the videodance entered the static shot of the duet in the end--I loss the build, it kind of descended from its mount in a way.
I am pleased that there are two distinct music qualities that seem to correspond to each dancer. It was apparent that the more intense music was for Tori and her wild motions, while the lighter music was for Dahlia and her more flowy movements. I wonder if this musical designation could have been developed more? Maybe utilize the water sounds in a distinct way as well? I think there are rich possibilities with the sound of water. I thought the music was maybe a little video-gamish for this idea, but this could just be from years of playing Zelda on Super Nintendo.
The last dance sequence, I am struck by the simplicity and power of the phrasing and the visuals where you see Dahlia's hands, then Tori's hands, and then the wide shot of both of them with their hands. I long for the ending disappearing act to happen there before any of the extended movement sequence occurs. I like the crispness of the visual and it becomes soggy by keeping the camera still for so long. My only other note in regards to sound at this point is that at moments I hear circus and street organs and I am not sure how that plays into the shower atmosphere of the piece.