Ruiqi:
I’m thrilled about exploring sound-making ideas inspired by the story of the missing Piper boy. Ruotong suggested minimizing familiar sounds to amplify those we often overlook, creating a twisted, upside-down audiovisual experience unlike anything I’ve encountered before. However, the location remains a significant challenge for us.
Yiting:
I researched Edinburgh’s myths and legends, many of which revolve around nightmares. Key inspirations include Mary King’s Close, the Mackenzie Poltergeist, and the Phantom Drummer of Edinburgh Castle. To contrast these darker tales, I also looked into warm legends like Greyfriars Bobby and the Wishing Stone of Edinburgh Castle.
For our project, I envision starting with a nightmare but ending with warmth. For example, we could introduce a boy standing at his basement door with a rusty key, seeking forgotten truths buried under Edinburgh. Additionally, I’m considering using a contact microphone to capture subtle sounds for our sound design.
Ruotong:
I conducted research on global issues that resonate with our project’s themes of nightmares and entrapment. Key topics include:
– Global climate change and its impact on extreme weather events
– The COVID-19 pandemic and its psychological toll
– Political instability and conflicts worldwide, such as the Ukraine crisis and Middle East tensions
Among these, I believe climate change is particularly relevant. Its effects—like wildfires in California—highlight humanity’s vulnerability and could be integrated into our project to draw parallels between personal nightmares and global crises.
Zixuan:
I explored additional myths to enrich our narrative:
1. Stone of Destiny: A symbol of Scottish sovereignty with deep historical significance, tied to coronation rituals and national identity.
2. Major Thomas Weir: A 17th-century figure whose dark confessions of witchcraft turned him into a ghostly legend in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
3. Arthur’s Seat: A hill linked to the legend of a sleeping dragon, adding a layer of mystery and romance to Edinburgh’s folklore.
These stories deepen our connection to Edinburgh’s cultural heritage and provide rich material for our project’s narrative framework.
Carly:
Our project is inspired by the myth of the missing Piper boy, aiming to depict his nightmare while drawing parallels to today’s global challenges—seen as nightmares without escape. By presenting perspectives from humans, animals, and insects, we hope to shift viewpoints and magnify overlooked details.
Given filming constraints in Edinburgh’s tunnels, we’ll use footage from McEwan Hall tunnels to design a virtual maze in Cinema 4D2. Sound is central to our immersive installation; we’ll use ambisonic recording for a 360-degree experience and record impulse responses (IRs) in tunnels to recreate authentic reverb in studio recordings. A real piper player will accompany this journey through soundscapes designed to evoke psychological horror.
Chao:
I’ve been reflecting on how our project could balance its nightmare theme with hope at the end. For instance, after experiencing fear and entrapment, the boy could face a bright pathway or an open-ended resolution, offering solace and prompting deeper thought from the audience. This balance could make the experience more impactful by pairing terror with eventual hope.
