Video analysis 1

GARDEN STATE:
Supervising Sound Editor - Mitch Gettleman (Scrubs, Californication)
Re-recording Mixer - John W. Cook II (Parks and Recreation, United States of Tara
Mixing Studio -

Sound Map, Scene 1: Sam's Bedroom

00:00 - diegetic music playing quietly in background continuous, Sam dialogue
00:02 - birds begin chirping, continuous
00:03- Andrew dialogue
00:04 - Sam dialogue
00:05 - Andrew interrupts
00:07 - Sam dialogue
00:08 - Andrew dialogue
00:09 - Sam dialogue
00:21 - Andrew dialogue, footsteps
00:22 - Sam, making strange noises
00:27 - Sam dialogue
00:35 - Andrew dialogue
00:36 - Sam dialogue
00:42 - Andrew dialogue
00:43 - Sam dialogue
00:44 - Andrew dialogue
00:46 - Sam dialogue
01:07 Andrew, strange sound
01:14 - Andrew dialogue
01:15 - Sam dialogue
01:16 - Andrew laugh
01:18 - Sam dialogue
01:24 - non-diegetic music begins, Alexi Murdoch “Orange Sky”
01:26 - door creak, close
01:27 - footsteps on stairs
01:28 footsteps on crunchy leaves, light wind continuous
01:35 - Andrew dialogue
01:37 - Sam dialogue
01:38 - Andrew dialogue
01:40 - Sam dialogue

I think this is a pretty simple scene.  My favorite part about it was the diegetic music in the background of the first part of the scene.  Before this scene starts, we see Sam turn on a record which is where the music is coming from.  I like that it’s quietly playing in the background, then actually becomes part of the scene on their walk outside to bury the hamster.  I also think that the noticeable difference in the different footsteps you hear is important, too.  The footsteps in the room, on the outside stairs, and in the grass each have the right sound for what they are.

Sound Map, Scene 2: Meeting Sam

00:00 - Receptionist dialogue, footsteps, dog panting
00:01 - patient dialogue
00:03 - receptionist dialogue
00:10 chair creak
00:13 - unhook dog leash
00:16 dog walking on laminate floor
00:30 Andrew dialogue, dog panting, harness moving continuous
00:37 - Andrew dialogue
00:40 - Sam laughing
00:57 - Andrew dialogue
00:59 - Sam takes off headphones, Sam dialogue
01:00 - Andrew dialogue
01:02 - Sam dialogue
01:05 - Sam dialogue, rise from chair, footsteps
01:08 - chair creak, Andrew dialogue
01:13 - Sam dialogue
01:18 - Andrew dialogue
01:20 - Sam dialogue
01:24 - Receptionist dialogue
01:25 - Patient dialogue
01:26 - Receptionist dialogue
01:27 - Patient dialogue
01:31 - Dog whines, paws on laminate floor
01:33 - office phone rings in background, panting stops
01:36 - Andrew dialogue
01:38 - Sam laughs
01:39 - Andrew dialogue
01:43 - writing on clipboard
01:44 - Sam dialogue
01:45 - Andrew dialogue
01:46 - Sam dialogue
01:51 - Andrew dialogue
01:52 Sam dialogue
01:56 - Andrew dialogue, writing stops
01:58 - Sam dialogue

Again, this is a pretty simple scene.  I think it’s notable that there isn’t any music in the scene.  I think it makes a big difference when Sam plays Andrew a song in the next part of the scene.  The dog played a big part in this scene, and I think that came through with the sound design.  The paws on the floor were noticeable with the claws, and the heavy panting of a large dog is prominent through the whole scene.  The lack of background sounds while this is happening makes the scene seem very sterile and subdued, like a doctor’s waiting room should be.