INVESTIGATING AUDIO PRODUCTION:
The Importance Of Sound:
Visuals are mainly displayed as the main and most useful element within media and general life, but sound is overlooked and unappreciated as it is arguably more important and just as useful. When we are a foetus, hearing is the first sense we develop. Some of the first things we hear are our mothers heartbeat, along with their bodily fluids. When washing films, people mainly focus on the visual elements. But sound easily contributes and enhances the effectiveness by at least 50% if not even more. By having sound, if makes the audience feel more engaged and entertained without them even knowing.
Types of sound:
Diegetic - sound that is created by an object or a person on screen and within the scenes universe.
e.g - someone playing music through a cars speaker system.
Non Diegetic - sound that has been added ontop and takes place outside of the scenes universe.
e.g - soundtrack music for the scene.
Advanced sound types:
External diegetic - sound within the universe of the characters that they can all individually hear.
Internal diegetic - sound within a single characters mind that only they can hear.
Panning:
Panning refers to two different things. one being referring to the stationary position of a sound ( to the left or right), or the movement of a sound from left to right or right to left.
Panning helps with creating a really immersive and wide range sound field. It helps position certain objects or people on screen. For example, if an actor is on the right side of the screen and they are talking, their audio must also be coming from the right side.
A good example of a scene that uses a lot of panning is the intro scene to the film baby driver. This uses panning sounds to intensify the sounds of moving cars and people on the phone talking around the main character.
Sound bridge:
A sound bridge is a transitional device which is used within films to help connect one visual scene to another through sound. As its most basic, a sound bridge leads an audience in or out of a scene.
an example of this is shown within the film ' the matrix'. within this film, there is a sound bridge which links a rhythmic element from the scenes music soundtrack and morphs/ blends it into the alarm clock sound in the next scene which joins both scenes together.
Dialogue:
Within film and scene making, dialogue is used in a couple of different ways:
- Single voice dialogue.
- Multiple voice dialogue.
- Crowd
- Voiceover/Narrator.
- ADR ( Automated Dialogue replacement).
ADR (automated dialogue replacement):
ADR removes unwanted sounds such as wind, environment, equipment noise. It also Changes the original lines recorded on set to help create a clearer narrative. Finally, to improve understandability (e.g correct accent/diction)
It can also be used to replace foul language swell as correcting a misspoken line not caught during filming. the other things it is used for include: to add or remove content for legal purposes such as removing an unauthorised trademark name.
The process of ADR involves production sound mixer and a location sound recordist who records the audio. The ADR editor then reviews the audio in the scene, then decides what needs to be rerecorded. The actor rerecords the audio whilst reviewing the scene. this can be completed in a studio or sometimes on location if it is practical.
Foley:
Foley sound design is sound effects which have been created using everyday objects which are then added onto a film/video soundtrack.
Examples of this include:
-Fruit/veg = bone breaks
-staple gun = gunshots
- Hitting a phone book = punch
- Arms = kisses
- newspaper = grass.
Ambient sound:
Ambient sound ( also known as background sound) are all your audio elements which take place behind your main elements (e.g dialogue). It can also be used to tie and combine together your sound by filling gaps and providing a more even and coherent background.
Here are some audio files along with attached photos of where they took place, showcasing ambient sound: