Need advice on song for a movie

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I am considering getting involved in a project with a friend who might be getting some funding for a movie he wishes to make. The script was written awhile ago and was a collaboration of 3 people (my involvement was the least of the 3).

Most guys will probably not care much about the plot, simply because it is a romantic comedy (well, some of you might like it). The plot basically involves a guy who keeps bumping into the same girl for 3 years on the same day at Christmas eve in an airport.

I picked out a song that I think might go well with the last 5 minutes of the movie. Just wondering what your overall feeling of the song would be. It is a Japanese song called heaven performed Ayumi Hamasaki (some of you may be aware of my obsession with her).

http://profile.imeem.com/xQ95i/music/qVYvPPRO/heaven/

It's basically a love song with all the usual love song messages, so no need to understand what the song is talking about (I do have the translation though). The movie is also very asian in nature, so an asian song would go well.

Do you like the song? yay or nay? Yes, I am aware that this is a predominantly male forum, but we've polled the women already, so now I am interested in what the guys think.

Also, can we get a poll going?

Edit: I should note that this song was used in another movie in Japan called Shinobi: heart under blade.

[rubecube]

Can I play hemroid sufferer # 3? Seriously, sounds ok to me.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

If you are choosing it because of the message in the song, I would say no, it doesnt work and you could probably find something else. The audience isn't gonna take the time to really listen to the song and listen to the words.

Also, if this is a romantic comedy, then maybe this doesn't work, but if there if this is used because of a scene with a sad ending or something like that, then its not bad. But if the couple get together at the end and everything is fine and dandy, then something else would be better IMO.

I dunno, its kinda hard to judge without knowing the exact tone during the scene in question.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

If you are choosing it because of the message in the song, I would say no, it doesnt work and you could probably find something else. The audience isn't gonna take the time to really listen to the song and listen to the words.

Also, if this is a romantic comedy, then maybe this doesn't work, but if there if this is used because of a scene with a sad ending or something like that, then its not bad. But if the couple get together at the end and everything is fine and dandy, then something else would be better IMO.

I dunno, its kinda hard to judge without knowing the exact tone during the scene in question.

Good thoughts. Yeah, the song isn't chosen for the message, but the message does seem to apply to the ending scene (I have the kanji translation). Actually, the movie becomes serious in the last 15 minutes. The last 5 minutes is actually the most critical scene involving the guy and girl. It's pretty much the part that either makes or breaks the script. No words are spoken, no noises are heard, just actions and montages. The first half of the song and the first half of the 5 min ending is slow, and feels a bit tragic, the second half changes to coincide with the storyboard (a more upbeat outlook).

Also, my understanding is that we're using this song as a sample song to go with the storyboard. The actual movie will probably have a different song, though the feel of the song will probably be the same.

[octothorp]

People will spend a moment trying to figure out what's being sung before realizing it's in another language, so you risk a momentary disconnect (unless you use various japanese music throughout, which would be kinda cool). You also have to be careful about the big swooshy noise midway through, as it wouldn't be clear whether it's a sound effect or part of the soundtrack; if it's a scene in an airport, it's probably fine. If it's in someone's apartment, it could be another 'what the?' moment. You'd need to construct the montage in such a way that it worked in such a way with those sounds...
I'd say the key at that point in the movie is that the soundtrack should merely be an intensifier, and not draw the viewer out of the movie in any way. I would say it's not my type of music at all, kinda uninteresting, but that doesn't mean it would be a bad fit in a movie. It has the potential to be a successful intensifier (depending on context), which is far more important than whether I 'like' the song.

[Flame On]

I thought music wasn't in general the script writers area.
I thought that was the directors domain.
Unless it's related to the story.
Eg:external - man hears Paint It Black on on the radio as he kills his vitim
Otherwise it's part of the pieces mood which is what the Director/editor would be in control of.
Not trying to be a bi***.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by Flame On

I thought music wasn't in general the script writers area.
I thought that was the directors domain.
Unless it's related to the story.
Eg:external - man hears Paint It Black on on the radio as he kills his vitim
Otherwise it's part of the pieces mood which is what the Director/editor would be in control of.
Not trying to be a bi***.

It's to go with the storyboard which is what the director is currently trying to piece together. The script and storyboard have been completed awhile ago. He just wants to piece everything together, which includes scores and soundtrack.

[Flame On]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

It's to go with the storyboard which is what the director is currently trying to piece together. The script and storyboard have been completed awhile ago. He just wants to piece everything together, which includes scores and soundtrack.

Sorry about that then. Thanks for putting me right. Hope it goes well.

[BlackArcher101]

What is the audience for the movie?

Using someones music in a movie without their permission or paying for it is generally a no-no by the way.

[Phaneuf3]

seeing as how i absolutely know nothing about your movie, feel free to take my opinion with a grain of salt.
i'd give the song a thumbs down though.
might i suggest looking into something more along the lines of sigur ros. not necissarily either of the songs below but... they'll give you an idea if you want to look into something like them further.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0AZIFmkogY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okLCurB1lJw