Sound in short film

Sound in short film

• 1.
  Effectiveness of soundin short film
• 2.
  How is soundused in short film Sound is arguably on par with video as the most important element to be able to manipulate and control during production and post production. Too often filmmakers focus all of their attention on video footage and ignore the quality of their sound. Interestingly enough, audiences seem to be more annoyed by poor sound quality than by poor cinematography. You will often hear filmmakers who have recently finished their first film respond to the question “What would you do different for your second film” with the answer “I will focus more of my attention on sound quality”. Though we might think of film as an essentially visual experience, we really cannot afford to underestimate the importance of film sound. A meaningful sound track is often as complicated as the image on the screen. The entire sound track is comprised of three essential ingredients: • • the human voice • • sound effects • • music These three tracks must be mixed and balanced so as to produce the necessary emphases which in turn create desired effects. Topics which essentially refer to the three previously mentioned tracks are discussed below. They include dialogue, synchronous and asynchronous sound, and music.
• 3.
  Dialogue THE HUMAN VOICE Dialogueauthenticates the speaker as an individual or a real person rather than the imaginary creation of a story teller. As is the case with stage drama, dialogue serves to tell the story and expresses feelings and motivations of characters as well. Often with film characterization the audience perceives little or no difference between the character and the actor. Thus, for example Humphrey Bogart is Sam Spade; film personality and life personality seem to merge. Perhaps this is the case because the very texture of a performer's voice supplies an element of character. When voice texture fits the performer's physiognomy and gestures, a whole and very realistic persona emerges. The viewer sees not an actor working at his craft, but another human being struggling with life. It is interesting to note that how dialogue is used and the very amount of dialogue used varies widely among films. For example: In the film 2001 little dialogue was evident, and most of what was used was banal. In this way the filmmaker was able to portray the “inadequacy of human responses when compared with the magnificent technology created by man] and the visual beauties of the universe.” The comedy, Bringing Up Baby, on the other hand, presents practically non-stop dialogue delivered at break-neck speed. This use of dialogue underscores not only the dizzy quality of the character played by Katharine Hepburn, but also the absurd duality of the film itself and thus its humour. The audience is bounced from gag to gag and conversation to conversation; there is no time for audience reflection. The audience is caught up in a whirlwind of activity in simply managing to follow the plot. This film presents pure escapism - largely due to its frenetic dialogue.
• 4.
  Sound effects Synchronous andasynchronous sounds Synchronous sounds are those sounds which are synchronized or matched with what is viewed. For example: If the film portrays a character playing the piano, the sounds of the piano are projected. Synchronous sounds contribute to the realism of film and also help to create a particular atmosphere. For example: • The “click” of a door being opened may simply serve to convince the audience that the image portrayed is real, and the audience-may only subconsciously note the expected sound. However, if the “click” of an opening door is part of an ominous action such as a burglary, the sound mixer may call attention to the “click” with an increase in volume; this helps to engage the audience in a moment of suspense. Asynchronous sound effects are not matched with a visible source of the sound on screen. Such sounds are included so as to provide an appropriate emotional nuance, and they may also add to the realism of the film. For example: • A film maker might opt to include the background sound of an ambulance's siren while the foreground sound and image portrays an arguing couple. The asynchronous ambulance siren underscores the psychic injury incurred in the argument; at the same time the noise of the siren adds to the realism of the film by acknowledging the film's (avowed) city setting.
• 5.
  Background Background music isused to add emotion and rhythm to a film. Usually not meant to be noticeable, it often provides a tone or an emotional attitude toward the story and/or the characters. In addition, background music often foreshadows a change in mood. For example, dissonant music may be used in film to indicate an approaching (but not yet visible) menace or disaster. Background music may aid viewer understanding by linking scenes. For example, a particular musical theme associated with an individual character or situation may be repeated at various points in a film in order to remind the audience of salient motifs or ideas. Film sound is comprised of conventions and innovations. We have come to expect an acceleration of music during car chases and creaky doors in horror films. Yet, it is important to note as well that sound is often brilliantly conceived. The effects of sound are often largely subtle and often are noted by only our subconscious minds. Yet, it behoves us to foster an awareness of film sound as well as film space so as to truly appreciate a twentieth century art form, the modern film.
• 6.
  Skin The film uses3 short pieces of music to represent certain stages of the film. In the beginning we hear soft diegetic piano music after her talking about her dream , giving the connotation that her dreams are filled with peace and the absence of any illness. The music corresponds with the protagonists emotions, as we get closer to the pivotal turning point in the film the music becomes more dramatic and shots become more fast pace in showing who she is and who she wishes to be. Then , silence is in combination with a simple shot of the girl crying which brings the audience almost back down to reality that the girl will soon die. The sound adds the emotion to this film as it is simply representative shots with a diegetic voice over. Therefore, the music plays a crucial role in the representation of certain emotions , coincided with the shot.
• 7.
  The most beautifulthing. At first the tempo of the music is slow and the pitch is low . This is synchronous to the way the male protagonist is feeling. The audience are aware instantly that the character is dissatisfied or feeling down at the time of introduction. When the boy and girl are together, the tempo and pitch of the diegetic sound increase to correspond with the energy the new friendship has brought to both of their silent lives in a literal and non literal way. This is conventional of short films as it a representational production which relies on the shots and sound alike.
• 8.
  I miss you. Inthe first scene we establish the location of where we first meet the main characters situated at a party which is inferred by the loud “dance” music (ambient sound) We believe this therefore means he is young due to the attire he is wearing showing he is youthful as well as smoking ,drinking and at a party. Non diegetic sound occurs as backing music showing the emotional side to the story which appears after the opening scene. Although the majority of the shots shows happiness the backing music is emotional and slow which fits into the theme and pace of the film, additionally the narrator is expressing his feelings towards his Girl friend suggesting that they are no longer together and is pleading for her love once again.
• 9.
  Pre production planning Inour short film we intend on using a background melody in only certain areas to either build suspense or show emotion. We will increase and decrease the sound at certain points in the production depending on the emotion being represented at the time ,for example background music may be present before the argument between the father and the daughter and then continue to play afterwards to show emotion. At then end when the resolution of our film is taking place we will increase the speed to show the change in mood in the protagonist and how the mood has been uplifted. We will use our own covers of the music from our peer Lucy Brownnutt while played on the piano and guitar by Matthew Baldwin, this allows us to have the correct tempo/speed for the story line so it doesn’t look uncomfortable against what is happening within our story line. We will contact the producers of the songs we will be playing in our short film so we have permission to use them. It is very easy to create errors during film with music by using too much that it brings the focus of what is actually happening or is too loud so you cannot hear the actors speech. Alternatively you can under use music during times of emotion either to support happiness or sadness by the genre of the song.