Task Two: Adding a Score to Chase Scene from The Dark Knight

Working out the Structure

I started scoring this scene by using a piano and working out scales, chords and rhythms. I decided I wanted to have a fast pacing first section which would reflect on Batman driving through the mall at a fast pace, a build up in the second section when Batman and the Joker are head to head in their vehicles and then finish on high notes when Batman flips Jokers lorry upside down, to make the crash of the lorry when hitting the ground sound very dramatic.

For the first section I used a small motif that repeated and modulated, and builds up melodically. The motif started on a G major, which consisted of G B D F, G B D C sharp.

This short motif was then modulated to G sharp minor, then C sharp major, C major, C sharp minor and ending on a held E note. I then built up layers in this section by doubling up the motif. When I add in the orchestra instrumentation I would do this by using dynamic changes through the section so different instruments could be heard at different times. I also built up the layer by changing the note values like Elfman does. For example, instead of having four quavers play, I would have two crotchets play, and when I have two crotchets play, I would have a minim play etc.

For the second section I went up the piano through two octaves chromatically, starting on a low E,  bringing in different layers and a harmony starting on the third interval G. I changed the pace faster and faster until the climax hit when the lorry  starts to flip and I end on a high D sharp.

My Score Structure: Piano

From this, I added orchestral instruments such as violins, string section, trombone, french horn and a viola. I build up layers in the two sections like I had previously planned to see how it would sound if I ended up scoring this for orchestra, like Elfman does in his scores for film. This was my result:-

Chase Scene Score: Orchestral

Adapting my Piano Score

From listening to my piece a few times over, I found the first section too repetitive. I decided to change it by cutting the first section in half, keeping the first part but changing the second part. I did this by playing the same chords I had used before, but playing them as ascending and descending arpeggios, with hard chord hits after a few arpeggio runs. I changed the pace of the chord arpeggio changes quicker and quicker until he stops after leaving the alley. I believe this small change in the score breaks up the repetitive motif and gives the score more depth and interest.

Here is my adapted Piano Score

Chase Scene from The Dark Knight Score to Film

Report

My objective was to create a soundtrack to the chase scene in the film The Dark Knight. For this score I decided to adopt Danny Elfmans composing approach to film by making the music set with the scene (shown on ‘My Influences for Task Two’ blog page). I decided to use his idea of creating multiple layers of motifs and using dynamics for effect, along with build ups in the music and changing note values. There were no new audio techniques used in this score, I used audio techniques I previously learn’t from my first task. I did not learn a particular music technique through doing this task, but adapted my knowledge of panning and changing dynamics between the different layers. This task is practise as research in that I am creatively exploring Danny Elfman and studying his previous scored works such as my examples from Sleepy Hollow, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. These scores I studied shows me that he uses build ups, dynamic ranges and modulation. This is evident in my task as I have explored and adopted Elfmans build ups to suit my given scene, modulated and changed dynamically between my piano instrumentation. For this task I would give myself a 2:1 because I believe I have met the criteria and my score fits the scene well.

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