Soundtrack Functions

The Good Lie Birdman

Specific information conveyed

Helps make sense of the narrative: giving background information

The beginning music is uplifting until the helicopter flies over the girl. It then quickly changes to the helicopter noise and gun shots. Violent sounds are conveyed. The different language suggests that they are in a foreign country. There is dialogue of a mans voice explaining what ice is. This suggest the people he is talking to come from a hot country who are given little education, which stereotypically suggests to be Africa. When one of the Sudanese men asks about dangerous animals such as lions being in the area, it gives the audience context as to where they have come from. Also, how they have little understanding of this new world they have entered.

At the beginning there is a drum introduction like an opening drum roll. There is a lot of dialogue in the trailer which explains the narrative well. ‘How did we end up here?’ ‘This place is horrible.’ This suggests the main protagonist feels trapped in his life. ‘We had it all.’ ‘You were a movie star, remember?’ This dialogue gives the audience context of the protagonists life. Sound effects are used throughout the film trailer; such as, at points with the helicopter noise, finger click, explosions and car screeches. This implies to the audience that there is some sort of action within the film.

Character information

The audience is told that Karen is a job hunter for those in need. We also find out that she is an American single woman as the men later ask her if she is married which she replies with ‘no.’ She also provides for herself which the men are surprised by. This highlights how they have come from a different culture. The male characters say they are from Sudan. However, the audience are only told they are ‘orphaned by war across three countries’ from the text on screen. The audience is also told through dialogue that one of the men had 34 brothers and sisters but only one is still alive. She is stuck at the Kakuma refugee camp where all flights have been stopped. Thus, creates emotion of determination and upset for which the audience may connect with and therefore, want to find out how this problem is solved by watching the film.

The guitar strumming beat follows with a mix of voice overs and dialogue. ‘Who is this guy?’ ‘He used to be Birdman.’ From the dialogue the audience is also told he is ambitiously trying to create a play. He is trying to prove that he is not a ‘washed up comic strip character.’ The sombre piano music starts when his daughter is talking to him. His daughter tells him that he doesn’t matter. This creates realism within the film trailer which the audience can connect to. Therefore, becoming more informed about the characters. The voice over states ‘You are Birdman. You are a god.’ This highlights to the audience that the main character once had a status and has now lost it. He is trying to gain it back but is struggling.

Showcases stars

The main star in the film, Reese Witherspoon, is not told to the audience through sound. Only her name appears as text on the screen. ‘Academy Award Winner Reese Witherspoon.’

No stars names are said in the voiceover. Their names are not written individually as text on screen either. This could be because the main character, Michael Keaton, and his daughter in the film, Emma Stone, are both well know actors. Therefore, the producers may have decided that there names didn’t need to be said or written on screen for their star titles to be known or for them to be recognised.

Important production information given

The production information is not voiced in the soundtrack, but, like the star character, is written as text on screen. The production logos are displayed at the beginning of the trailer. Then later on, ‘From Academy Award Winning Producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’ appears on screen. This is quickly followed by another piece of text saying ‘and Executive Producer of The Blind Side.’ There is also more text from the production company and other important people involved in the film displayed on screen at the end of the film trailer.

The production company information was not in the soundtrack but was shown on screen. The production logos were on screen at the beginning of the film trailer. Also, ‘An Alejandro G. Inarritu Film’ was displayed as text on screen at 1.23 minutes into the trailer. The names of the actors involved appear at the end of the trailer. They are shown in a list so not one actor is singled out. The production details, like all trailers, are also displayed at the end of the trailer. Another feature only displayed as text and not said as a voice over is the film festival official selection awards that the film received, which are on screen at the end of the film trailer.

Creates anticipation about the films release

The music becomes uplifting towards the end of the film trailer which suggests there is a happy ending to the film. The text ‘Inspired by the incredible true story,’ appears on screen which helps promote the film further.

The music changes a couple of times during the film trailer. After the classical music, the drums start playing. This creates anticipation as the pace increases towards the end. This implies that the end of the film is significant.

Reinforces the film title

The African style music, such as the use of drums, creates the idea of travel within the film. The soundtrack increases in volume which helps create the uplifting feeling in the film. However, the actual title ‘The Good Lie’ appears as written text on the screen.

The bird squawk at 1:39 minutes into the film trailer directly reinforces the title of the film. ‘Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance.)’ The music builds to a climax, then cuts off to match the calmer music when the title is displayed on screen.

Sets the tone for the film

The music is happy, joyful and light hearted. Although, there is a sense of sadness at the very beginning when the characters are shown to be caught up in the war. ‘This Fall’ is text that appears on the screen, telling the audience when it is released. As it appears onscreen the music becomes louder and the song chorus begins. The song playing says the lyrics ‘I will find a way.’ These are very powerful words as ‘will’ is an epimistic modal verb expressing their opinion in wanting to do well. The ‘Coming Soon’ text also appears on the screen towards the very end of the film trailer.

The music is fast paced which suggests excitement at this point in the main characters life. However, when the piano music starts, it implies sadness and a dark time in the main protagonists life. After the classical music finishes, the drums play alongside the sound of the commotion of the people in the city. The classical music suggests a comedy aspect to the film; whereas, the drums suggests that they are living life in the fast lane and that he could be in show business.

Summarises the story, helps to create anticipation but does not give away the ending

The main dialogue that sums up the narrative is when the man says ‘All flights from the Kakuma refugee camp have been stopped.’ The woman then says ‘Since 9/11 the program here is stopped indefinitely.’ This is clearly referring to the refugees coming to America which is displayed to be the main narrative for the film.

‘Hey is this for real or are you shooting a film?’ ‘A film.’ This highlights that they are shooting a film. This was followed by the classical music which was used to emphasise the comedic effect of the film they are making. The music then becomes more dramatic and is stressed by the commotion of the people in the city. This then changes to drums playing which is at the very end of the film trailer. This implies the film takes the audience on a journey, with this man, through a pivotal point in his life. ‘He’s a Hollywood clown in a lycra bullet suit.’ ‘Yes he is but he’s going out on stage risking everything.’ This also summaries the narrative. He is seen as a laughing stock and is putting himself out there, on stage, to try and prove a point. He is trying to show everybody that he is not a failure and that he is something worthwhile.