Intro To Sound

Film Technology CE00013-1

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Why is sound important • What are the major elements of the soundtrack • Specific elements to enhance your visuals • Example clips

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Why – The audience want to hear the actors speak – The sound can reinforce the meaning of an image – It can change the meaning of an image – It can increase the dramatic impact of a scene

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Narration – Usually used in documentary – Can also be used as a story device to put across a characters inner feelings – For documentary quite often recorded in sync to the picture from a timed script – ‘Voice Of God’ approach where the voice is disconnected from the rest of the programme – Or recorded as an integral part to match presenters or on screen personalities

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Music – Mood music is used to encourage certain emotions – Theme music for specific characters – Custom score – Production music – Is music required at all?

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Foley – The process of recreating sound effects that are synchronised with the on screen action – Usually involves recreating actors movement footsteps and interaction with objects in the scene – Huge variety of props and tools, including Foley pit, clothing and material and shoes and boots to mimic actors costumes

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Sound Effects – Usually sounds that are impossible to record live (10 foot tall mutant spiders) or sounds that need to be hyper real for dramatic effect – Usually created by manipulating or mixing multiple ‘real’ sounds – A natural sound is a recording of the actual source – A characteristic sound is manipulated for dramatic effect

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Production sound – Dialogue is the most important thing to record on set – Use a boom mic as close as possible to the actor – Always make sure the mic is picking up the sound from the correct direction – Buzz tracks pick up the room tone or ambience, which can smooth cuts when editing and also fills out quiet sections

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• ADR – Automated Dialogue Replacement – If production audio is not useable due to background noise or other technical issues – The actor recreates their vocal performance in a controlled recording environment

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Ambience – Production audio buzz tracks – Artificially created for realism or effect – Prevents the soundtrack from going dead – Can be a useful alternative to a musical score

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Diagetic Sound – The sound source exists within film space – Actors voices, instruments or objects within the film • Non Diagetic Sound – Exists outside the film world – Narration, mood music

Level 1 Film Technology

Intro To Sound

• Semi Sync – Sounds that appear to be coming from a source where the viewer cannot check each individual sound • Soundscapes – Characteristic sounds from a specific location or period – Similar to ambience but more defined sounds – Can be useful to establish the setting

Level 1 Film Technology