Musical listening

In this original short film, we follow a little dog in his daydreams; he wanders through different universes, each one as strange as the next. We can note that each change of universe is accompanied by a change of music.

First, have the children listen to the music without watching the film. Let them express their emotions after this first listen. Do a second listen, taking breaks at each change of universe. Students may recognize certain sounds, instruments, or certain “ambiences”:

• An introduction that takes us into the dog's dreams (we can imagine that this is the phase where he falls asleep). After the credits (xylophone), we hear music with no pulse, which contrasts sharply with the music that follows.
• At the 31st second, the dog starts his walk (the dream begins). The music is rhythmic and catchy; he walks, following the pulse. Completely different from the previous music, but the xylophone from the opening credits returns.
• Around the 40th second, he opens a door and enters the first universe. We find the same melody but the music is slower and softer. He climbs the ladder and jumps from the diving board into the bowl of soup. We hear the xylophone again before the jump. When he jumps and crosses the clouds, we hear the sound of his fall.
• When he lands in the liquid, the music becomes muffled and we recognize the atmosphere of the underwater environment. When he resurfaces, the music is louder, clearer. We hear the sound of the water, we can imagine the waves.
• Then he climbs out of the bowl and ends up on the table of a Japanese restaurant. The very distinctive music that accompanies this world evokes Asia.
• When he finds himself on the plane, the music stops and the plane-like sounds are very much present.
• He comes back into the restaurant and the same music comes back as well.
• Then he finds himself in a rocket (you can make out its sound).
• And he finally lands in a city (he takes the train, finds himself in the middle of buildings, in an apartment and ends his journey in the street). The music is less sharply defined in these final worlds, which all belong to the city.

After this listening work, show the film to the children. Make links with the first observations, see whether the hypotheses hold up, refine the analysis with the images. Point out that each universe has its own music.