We created the original music and sound design for this beautiful film for Visit Terra at Expo City Dubai.
Listen closely. The earth whispers, inviting us to explore her wonders. In nature’s wisdom, we rediscover what it means to be human. Listen again, and you’ll hear the rhythm of the earth resonate within. Listen deeper, and Terra invites you to reconnect with the natural world. Experience it for yourself. Come say hi.
الأرض تهمس حولنا، تدعونا للإبحار في عجائبها، تذكرنا حكمتُها بالمعنى الحقيقي للإنسانية. لنصغِ معاً لإيقاعها يتردد في داخلنا. استمع جيداً، تيرا تدعوك للتواصل مع الطبيعة من حولك. تعال وألقِ التحية.
#IAmTerra #WorldsLivingWonder #VisitTerra #Dubai
Music Brief for Visit Terra
The brief for Visit Terra’s music and sound design focused on creating an emotional, evocative, and ambient soundscape that would complement the unique experiences within Terra while being catchy and memorable. The music had to enhance the storytelling while weaving together the themes of sustainability, wonder, and natural beauty inherent to Terra.
Crafting the Sound of Discovery for Visit Terra
Key Objectives:
- Atmospheric Yet Memorable: The track needed to be ambient, utilising natural sounds (e.g., forest leaves, underwater echoes, whales) to align with the exhibits and create a sense of immersion. At the same time, it required a distinctive musical motif that would resonate emotionally with visitors—a tune that could carry their experience beyond the visit.
- Integration of Terra Sounds: A significant element of the brief was incorporating actual sounds from Terra itself to enhance authenticity. This included subtle forest ambiances, underwater echoes, and other nature-inspired soundscapes that align directly with the specific exhibits, like the underwater world or the root network of the forest. This approach was intended to create a sonic atmosphere that not only complemented the visuals but also felt deeply connected to the environment portrayed.
- Supporting Visuals and VO: The soundtrack needed to be subtle enough not to overpower the visuals and voice-over narration by Dr. Jane Goodall. The brief highlighted balancing the music and VO, ensuring Jane’s voice—described as warm, magical, and wise—would remain central to the narrative. Specific moments, like the “Narrated by Dr. Jane Goodall” line, required musical accents to highlight their importance, and the sound design had to make her delivery feel more dramatic and impactful in a natural and engaging way.
- Dynamic and Emotional Progression: The client expressed a desire for the music to grow in emotion and impact over time, with a particular focus on creating crescendos that align with key moments in the narrative. This progression was designed to draw visitors into the experience and leave them feeling inspired. The beginning of the track was requested to be more immediate and powerful, creating an engaging entry point for viewers. Building the sound dynamically through the use of a lead motif, the music had to reflect the unfolding narrative while ensuring an emotional arc from start to finish.
- Instrumental Choices: The instrumentation was crucial in establishing the right emotional tone. To create a magical and uplifting atmosphere, the use of piano, strings, and occasional ethereal vocal layers was essential. Piano provided the emotional foundation with a melody that was simple yet memorable, while the strings added depth and warmth. The ethereal vocal layers were particularly effective in evoking a sense of wonder and mystique, as well as highlighting key transitions in the visual narrative. These elements were carefully woven to enhance both the immediacy and the enduring resonance of the experience.
- Flexibility for Edits and Versions: The soundtrack had to be adaptable to multiple versions of the film, including 60-second, 30-second, and 15-second edits, each with variations in visual scenes. The goal was to use the core musical elements effectively across these different lengths, adjusting the soundtrack only where necessary, while making sure that sound effects and emotional beats matched the visuals closely. This required a modular approach to the music, allowing different layers and sections to be expanded or condensed as needed, preserving the emotional impact in shorter edits.
- Emotional Impact with Sound Effects: Alongside the music, the sound design featured subtle ambient sounds that tied the film's visuals to a visceral audio experience. This included elements like children’s laughter, underwater murmurs, industrial sounds, and specific effects that supported actions such as lever pulls or camera movements. These effects were designed to make scenes more immersive, adding a sense of realism and depth to each environment. This careful use of sound effects helped in grounding the audience in Terra's diverse environments—from the whispering woods to the pulsating underwater life.
- Layered Sound Design for Storytelling: The sound design went beyond simple background atmosphere; it actively contributed to the storytelling. Each scene required specific sonic textures, whether it was the majestic yet delicate sounds of the ocean or the intricate noises that simulate the "wood-wide-web" beneath the forest floor. The sound design was crafted to underscore each setting's unique characteristics, reflecting the grandeur and fragility of our natural world. The ‘wood-wide-web’ scene, for instance, included faint, resonant vibrations to suggest an invisible yet powerful network, creating a soundscape that was as much a part of the narrative as the visuals.
- Client-Specific Feedback and Evolution: The process involved close collaboration with the client, responding to evolving feedback that included making the music more dynamic, synchronising sound effects to transitions, and incorporating more impactful elements as needed. For example, the direction to bring "more emotion and power" into the composition led to changes in the lead motif, a more pronounced crescendo, and a stronger introduction. This iterative approach ensured that both the creative team and the client were aligned on the vision for Terra, ultimately leading to a soundtrack that fit both the emotional depth and sustainability message the project aimed to convey.
In crafting the music for Visit Terra, we utilised a combination of high-quality plugins and virtual instruments to achieve a rich and immersive sound. Cinematic Studio Strings (CSS) played a key role in delivering the lush orchestral textures, with a focus on legato articulations to provide smooth, emotive lines that matched the visual storytelling. For piano parts, we turned to Cinematic Studio Piano (CSP), valued for its expressive dynamic range and realistic feel, which allowed us to build the emotional arc and create intimate, reflective moments throughout the film. The Kontakt interface was instrumental in managing these intricate libraries, giving us the flexibility needed for detailed sound sculpting. Moreover, synths like the Agosynth Split VL WT were used to add ethereal layers, giving a modern touch that complemented the organic string and piano arrangements. This fusion of orchestral and electronic elements allowed us to create a distinctive sonic landscape—one that was both expansive and intricately tied to the imagery of the natural world.
The sound adjustments were designed to enhance the overall impact of each scene in the film. For the underwater scene, it was crucial to sync the beat with the whale shot to create a greater impact, and introducing vocals during the transition to the girl in the forest helped create a smoother auditory shift. To bring various moments to life, ambient soundscapes were added—such as the muffled sound of a distant ad to add depth, and bustling crowd ambience to convey a sense of awe and activity. Environmental sounds, like those related to jellyfish and forest roots, were carefully integrated to strengthen the connection with the natural world depicted on screen.
Original Music and Sound Design for Visit Terra
Adding the sound of blowing air to match visuals of balls being lifted helped build anticipation leading up to the boy’s gasp, making the moment more impactful. Introducing an industrial or cyberpunk ambience was important to set the atmosphere before the lever pull, creating a contrasting texture that heightened the drama of the subsequent action. To further emphasise the lever pull and the opening of the theatre curtain, a heavier metallic sound was used, which added to the dramatic tension of the scene.
Laughter and children’s voices were amplified during playful moments to create a lively, immersive atmosphere, while subtle ambient sounds like laughter enhanced more personal and dynamic shots, such as the twirling low-angle selfie. In underwater scenes, ethereal vocal effects were incorporated to evoke an otherworldly feel, fitting the mystical nature of the setting. The solar trees timelapse was enhanced with a subtle sound element to signify the building's "living" nature, adding depth to the architectural visuals. The timing of key sound effects, such as the whoosh during a visual transition, was adjusted for fluidity, and the prominence of mechanical sounds, like cogwheels, was increased to ensure they were audible even on average audio devices, not just high-quality headphones. These adjustments collectively contributed to creating an emotionally resonant and engaging audio experience that complemented the narrative.
The Result:
The resulting Original Music and Sound Design for Visit Terra was crafted to be an inspiring and immersive musical journey—one that evoked wonder, stirred emotions, and perfectly aligned with the overarching message of sustainability and our connection to the natural world. Through a blend of music, layered sound design, and authentic ambient effects, every visitor to Terra was intended to not only witness the beauty and challenges of our planet but to feel a genuine emotional connection to its story. The music was designed not only to complement the visuals but to enhance the message of hope, responsibility, and the magic of our natural environment, ultimately inspiring positive change.
What is Visit Terra? - Go on a Journey of Discovery
Every visit to Terra is an immersive journey that tells an emotional and unforgettable story about our planet. Dive beneath the ocean, wander through vibrant forests, and marvel at the hidden wonders of our natural world. Terra offers a rare opportunity to connect with nature, understand its beauty, and witness the challenges it faces.
Behold the Effects of Human Consumption
Prepare for an eye-opening experience as Terra brings into sharp focus the effects of our everyday actions. From plastic-choked seas to deforested landscapes, this journey powerfully illustrates the environmental cost of human consumption, urging us all to think about the consequences of our choices.
Feel Inspired to Make a Change
Terra is not just about storytelling; it’s about action. Visitors leave inspired to make a difference—understanding that by changing our individual habits, we can collectively create a massive impact. Are you ready to contribute to a better future?
Under the Ocean
Enter a magical underwater world and explore the mysteries of the deep sea. Journey beneath the waves to uncover a spectacular, yet delicate, marine ecosystem. Here, you’ll meet fascinating sea creatures and learn about their vital role in our planet’s health. Let the beauty of the ocean move you to take steps to protect its wonders.
Under the Forest
Wander beneath lush woodland canopies and discover the fascinating hidden network beneath your feet. This ‘wood-wide-web’ is where trees communicate, share resources, and support each other. A journey into Terra's forest reveals how interconnected our natural world is and reminds us of the importance of protecting these green treasures.
Our very own Meera Almidfa was the starring actress in the film. Exclusive Voiceover Safia Al Shehi was the voiceover for the Arabic Mix.
Taqa Island: A Vibrant Playground for Young Adventurers
Named after the Arabic word for 'energy', Taqa Island is an eco-friendly haven of science, technology, art, music, and sculpture—designed to spark the imaginations of Terra’s young adventurers. With fun-packed activities, this indoor playground captivates young minds and inspires the next generation to help create a greener, more sustainable future.
Exploring Expo City Dubai
Sustainability isn’t just a theme within Terra; it’s a principle embedded throughout Expo City Dubai. There’s much to discover beyond Terra—from the iconic Al Wasl Plaza to the spectacular waterworks of Surreal, the entire city offers a vision of a sustainable future.
Guided Tours, Dining, and Retail at Terra
Enhance your journey with a guided tour to delve deeper into the Terra ecosystem and gain insightful perspectives on our natural environment. Afterward, indulge in sustainable, plant-based dishes on the rooftop terrace while enjoying epic views of Expo City Dubai. Don't forget to visit the Terra gift shop for eco-friendly souvenirs, from plantable stationery to unique crafts by local artisans.
What’s Your Ideal Way to Spend a Day at Terra?
Whether you’re journeying beneath the ocean, exploring the intricate life of a forest, or letting your children discover the magic of Taqa Island, every visit to Terra offers something extraordinary. It’s a journey that inspires, educates, and challenges us all to make a difference. So, are you ready to explore and be part of the change?
