Sound Design

Sounds for moving image production

Sound for Moving images are presented in many forms such as Film, Television, Animation, Web, Games etc. There are five main segments used in moving image, which are: Music, Voice, Sound Effects, Ambience & Silence.

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is sound within the film such as voices (dialogue), dramatic outbursts, sound effects etc.

Non-Diegetic sound

A audio that is from outside of the film world, meaning the audio that is played cannot be heard by people who are in shot. Non-diegetic sounds are sounds that are added to a scene.

External Diegetic Sound

When an audio is played and everybody can hear what a character is saying rather than a character talking inside their head, this could used in speeches.

Internal Diegetic Sound

Internal Diegetic sounds are heard within the mind of a character.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

In this example it uses voice in an internal diegetic way, which is very powerful because Voldemort does not just get into the mind of every single character who is fighting against him to undermine (scare) them. Also, it affects the audience, who are watching the movie as well the characters, making the scene more realistic and creates tension.

How I Met Your Mother

Another Example of internal diegetic sound is in How I Met Your Mother. In this clip Ted and Barney are communicating with each other(using telepathy), discussing whether to have to party or not. The internal diegetic sound produces a comedic tone to the scene because Ted is trying to be serious, however, Barney has party music playing in his mind.

Asynchronous sound

Sound that comes from a different time such as a flashback.

39 steps

Asynchronous audio is used in this clip, this is shown when you do not hear the woman scream and you hear only the train. After she finishes screaming the train appears.

Hangover 2

Asynchronous audio could have been used in this scene from Hangover 2. Also, it gives the audience a sense of who they are and kind of explains the scene in more detail.

 

Music

Music is an art of sound which communicates ideas and emotions through rhythm,melody(scores),harmonies (sound that uses one or more instruments) etc. Music in films plays a significant part in creating a particular atmosphere. (Newman et al, 2008, page 8)

Synchronous Sound

Audibly that belongs to the same frame as the picture.

Sound bridges

When similar sound or music that link two different scenes together, here’s an example.

Sound bridges are used to make continuity smoother between scenes.

Scream: Do you want to die?

In the movie Scream, a lot of music is used throughout the film. Some of the music create horrific atmospheres throughout the movie, terrifying the audience. Although the scores create horrific atmospheres, there’s also a comedic side to the scores played in the movie. In the clip above, a combination of instruments such as violins,cellos,drums, trumpets are played.The relevance of this score is to raise the adrenaline of the audience. In addition, for suspense the wind chimes are used. I think they have used music that is supposed to be relaxing (soothing) such as sounds of birds, but have adapted that to their theme, which is horror, intensifying the scare factor of the film. 

The shower scene from Psycho

In the shower scene of the movie Psycho, a woman is murdered whilst in the shower. In this part of the scene music is played, a screeching violin is played has the women is being murdered, the murderer is stabbing the women in time with the melody played by the violin, the music matches the action on screen. In my opinion it makes the scene scarier and affective because of the synchronisation. Furthermore,I had noticed that as soon as the killer opens the shower curtain the starts to play changing the dynamic from calm to shocking and heart throbbing.

Mew Mew Power

From 14:45 to 15:21 the animation shows the audience, one of the protagonists transform from being a normal person into their super hero ego. Leitmotif presented; is associated with the character and the catchy slogan. That slogan and specific melody helps you (the audience) remember the different characters as a well as the show.

Musicals

Musicals use non diegetic and diegetic audio, when they are singing different songs and doing musical numbers.

This clip is part of scene in the movie Lovestruck: The Musical. This clip demonstrates the diegetic audio and how it is used to amplify the audience’s the excitement as they watch the film. Additionally, the scene gives the film a sense of place, it confirms to the audience that it is a party and everyone is having a good time. This diegetic audio was probably done is a high/medium budget studio with vocal booths and well-known producer.

Puss In Boots (1988)

From the start of the film to the end non – diegetic music is used, 36.22 to 37.06 in the movie non – diegetic is used to amplify the audience’s excitement as they watch the film. Additionally, it creates a comedic atmosphere, making the audience laugh with their buffoonery.

Voice

Voice is the sound that people make when they speak.

Dialogue – Lines that are spoken by a character or characters in a film, play, story, novel etc. Dialogue is common described as a conversion between two or more people, which is used most of time in film, television, gaming etc.

This scene presents dialogue in dramatic way, this shows that dialogue is important in moving images, Janine is saying she hates him and Barry is saying he wants to be with her. Dialogue portrays emotion of anger and denial through the words that are spoken.

Narration

Narration is commentary delivered to accompany film, television, broadcast, animation etc. Narrations are mostly non- diegetic.

Narration is used to tell the audience what is happening in a scene or film. Also, narration is used to create dynamics. in some games characters would read diaries or letters which would be narrated because it’s important. Also, there’s self-narrating where the character tells the audience about himself.

The Powerpuff girls

This is the opening sequence of The Powerpuff Girls series (animation). In this clip of the opening sequence narration is used to tell the audience about the powerpuff girls background story, the person who does the voice-over of this series has a football commentators tone of voice, which is effective and engaging. Furthermore, the type of narrator automatically tells us who the protagonists are, whom the audience like even before the episode has started.

Facts About Owls

This documentary is about Owls and the facts that come with that animal (bird), the voice-over used in this 4 minute nature clip is manly and soft. In this clip the narrator using a sarcastic approach to describing the owls, his style is very captivating; it’s meant to sound like a real documentary however, he is using a deadpan voice to produce humour in his dialogue.

Come dine with me

In come dine with me there is a comedic narrator (commentator) that liven up the show. The narrator uses sarcasm and witty remarks that are funny to the audience as well telling us (the audience), who people are, what the different foods are and how it is made.

Here’s part of an episode as an example.

You’ve Been Framed

You’ve been framed is a programme displaying people’s mishaps from young to old. These are a few clips of people making a fool of themselves, the production team picks the best ones that they think would be funny to the audience. You’ve been framed is similar to come dine with me, because of the witty remarks that is used throughout the show by the narrator (voice-over).

 

Sound effects

Sound effects are sounds that are artificially produced or reproduced from a recording, to create a theatrical effect. Sound effects are used in film,television,live performances, video games etc, they are used to enhance sounds and emphasis scenes. Sound effects can be Diegetic or Non-Diegetic.

Foley 

Foley is a technique of sound effect. The sound effects are recorded in the studio and then synced whilst the editor watches the film. Jack Foley (sound pioneer) developed this technique. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jznye0iqYE

This clip demonstrates the Foley effect in action, he uses different pieces of equipment to make the different sounds in this scene, for example the rustling of his coat and the glass that is being handled.

Pleonastic sound 

These are sound effects that are exaggerated, the can be done using either the Foley technique in a studio or electrically.

 Jurassic Park

In this scene the T-Rex is trying to eat the children, the sound effects used to create the terrifying roar are: an alligator, tiger, elephant (baby) whale merged together and a whale for the T-Rex’s breathing.

Transformers 

the sound effects used in transformers are tool as : missiles(rockets), guns, electric guitar sounds etc. Using shotgun microphones with windshields are used to capture these difference sound as well as a large sound recorder. The majority of the sounds in transformer are organic, which is good because all of their sounds and music are copyright free. Also, they used the wild Foley to get sounds(metal and dry ice).

 

Ambience

Ambient sounds are the background audio (noises) in a scene or at a location, ambient sounds include wind,crowds, birds, traffic and so on.

Using your own voice to produce (imitate) sounds can be used to create ambience as well, such as audiences, crowds, trains etcetera; enhancing moods and emotion, which benefits the movie, game, animation etc and the audience.

Clueless (1995 )

From 15:27 to 17:05 present background sounds to the audience, at the start of the timeline the background audio such as birds, wind, the waterfall in the back garden were added to the scene and then the engine noise when they are in the car, because the director needs to show the audience that car is running even though the audience can see the car moving. Without ambience the scene would become unrealistic (unnatural) because of the silence.

Tomb Raider: The Game

15 minutes into the youtube video , this game uses a lot of ambient sound such as lighting, rain, the rustling of the leaves and the calls of crows, which creates a forest themed atmosphere keeping the gamer hooked as well as heighten the suspense.

8 Out Of 10 Cats

Ambience is used in Television programmes. For example, in this clip from 8 out of 10 cats, it demonstrates ambient sound. Jimmy Carr and the guests that appear on the show may make a joke here and there, which the audience laugh at in the studio. The ambient sound would be the silence in the studio and the laughter of the audience; that ambience is used to produce a lighter and happier surrounding for the audience in the studio laugh.

 

Silence

Silence is the absence of audible sound or the existences of sound at a low volume, furthermore, no dialogue is a use of silence.

Kiss Ass 2

In this clip Mindy is trying out for the cheer-leading squad, using her combat moves as choreography. After she is finished with her choreography, the auditorium becomes silent. The silence used in the clip was to emphasis the dumbfounded reaction of the audience in the scene and invokes astonishment in the viewer.

Raise your voice

The silence in this clip is used to form a tense and heart melting moment(producing emotional content), which evokes the audience feel sympathy for the characters. The audio starts loud then decreases as they are about to get crashed into.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the essay explores the use of sound within all aspects of moving image production.

After researching music in all aspects of a moving image production, I have confirmed information through my findings. Music is an art of sound which communicates ideas and emotions through rhythm,melody(scores),harmonies (sound that uses one or more instruments) etc. A combination of instruments such as violins,cellos,drums, trumpets are played within Film & Television. These features will give me an idea of what kind of instruments (props) I will use for my project and give me a sense on how to use them appropriately, evoking different emotions such as sadness, happiness, fright etc. Music in films plays a significant part in creating a particular atmosphere. This clarification will help me with my project because the right music will connect the audience (viewer) to a scene. The research has given me a further understanding of the subject matter, which will benefit my project.

Dialogue; lines that are spoken by a character or characters in a film, play, story, novel etc. Dialogue is very important for sound in a moving image. This knowledge is vital if I’m going to be using dialogue in my project, which is most likely to happen. Narration is commentary delivered to accompany film, television, broadcast, animation etc. Narration is used to tell the audience what is happening in a scene or film, games have narration create dynamics. In addition, there’s self-narrating where the character tells the audience about their self . Researching about narration has given me an insight on whether to put a voice over as part of my project. After analysing  voice as a whole in moving images, it has expanded my perspective on how voice is used and how I may use it.

Ambient sounds are the background audio (noises) in a scene or at a location, ambient sounds include wind, crowds, birds, traffic and so on. Sometimes, it’s hard to capture earthy noises such as birds and any other background noises from a location so if I can’t get any sounds, I can make sounds using my voice, which I knew already but was not to sure about. I have broadened my awareness on ambience after doing some research. Also, it’s better to get organic (original) sounds rather than using someone else’s sounds. Ambient sounds are important to a scene, examples prove this statement. For example, if I had to do a scene inside or outside for my project, I would know what to record in order for the scene to work.

Sound effects are sounds that are artificially produced or reproduced from a recording, to create a theatrical effect. Sound effects are used in film,television,live performances, video games etc, they are used to enhance sounds and emphasis scenes. I have analysed sound effects and according to my research there are different approaches to recording sound effects, This will benefit my project and they way I produce sound (sound effects) for my project because of my understanding for the content. One technique is called the Foley Effect, which means that the sound effects are recorded in a studio and then synced whilst the editor watches the film. Furthermore, using different props to create different sounds and using them where it is necessary as well as the equipment need to record such as a zoom recorder and shotgun microphones. So, when I start with my sound edit for my project this will be useful.

After investigating the use of silence, I have noticed that silence can be used to send out a message,the example is among my findings, I like the example because of that specific element. It made me want the whole thing. Furthermore silence can be used to form tense and heartfelt moments, that the audience feel sympathy for a character. For example, I think could use silence it would benefit my project to creating a dynamic atmosphere or silence for effect, engaging the audience.

All of the elements of sound in a moving image that I have used as examples in this conclusion and researched through analysing the different components, will influence my decisions on how I should produce sound for my project, it has opened my mind to new ideas,which is good.