Elements of Film Sound

How Does Sound Tell The Story?


Sound Elements

• Atmos/ambient
• dialogue
• Sync
• Non-sync
• Musical Texture 
• Score
• FX
• Voiceover
• Foley
• Sound Signature/Motif (e.g. Darth Vader, James Bond)
• Wild Tracks

Tone and Style

• POV (Point of View)
• Space/Depth of Field
• Mood/Emotion 
• Genre 
• Location (e.g. Can't have traffic sound pollution on a post apocalyptic film)
• ADR
• Characters (e.g. use of voice talent)
• Post processing 
• E.Q
• Mixing/Layering/Levelling
• Target Audience
• Equipment

Human Hearing Range- 20 hz- 20khz 

Sound Skills- Session 3- Sync Sound to Camera

Pratical Session in SIF

• Use of Wendt mixer- complex machine but grasped basic controls fairly easily
• Basics- use phantom power for best mics
• Line = anyhting thats isnt a mic e.g. camera, mixer etc
• Shelfing- use 100
• Adjust levels through camera (Z1) - mix test tone to -40 then mix vocals to peak around -12 for optimum range
• Set camera to record sound on two channels, then set one to peak lower- leaving a backup track if your original does happen to peak.
• Signal/noise ratio- the signal is the desired sound you are trying to capture (e.g. dialogue) and noise is any other ambient or movement related sounds that may be in the location (e.g. air vent, air conditioning, hum). A good signal/noise ratio must be achieved for a successful recording.

Boom Swinging- Housekeeping

• No jewellery, watches etc to bang against the boom pole.
• Best practice- lose long sleeves
• Twist pole to wrap cable tightly- avoid cable slap- mic very sensitive to sounds throught the boom pole
• Don't swing through the air- twist to subject to avoid whoosing noise
• Aim for solar plexus of vocal subject for optimum bass etc
• Keep mic head around 18 inches away from the subject
• Check for edge of frame- no boom shadow or dropping into frame!!!

Star Wars- Foley Design with Ben Burtt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0WJ-8B6aUM

• This interview demonstrates how big screen effects that gain worldwide fame and cult status can be created from cheap, everyday objects.
• The classic 'lightsaber' sound was created by Burtt from an old projector motor, a T.V and a speaker, and has gone on to become synonymous with Star Wars and all it represents.

Sound Skills Session 2- Foley

Sound Skills- Session 2- Introduction to Foley Artistry

Practical Session-  focused on the production of cinema grade sounds from cheap household objects.
Mic used- Audio Technica Directional Rifle Mic. Narrow spectrum Sound capture.

• When capturing foley effects, two mics may be used through one Marantz (check levels individually with split L/R controls- preffered recording can be chosen later. For example use a rifle Mic for detailed directional sounds and a dynamic kit mic for a larger sound (broader range, wont peak at higher levels.)

Examples of effects from household objects-

• Comb/Brush- scrape bristles for crunchy, creepy-crawly effects, ice breaking etc
• Cornflour- leave in bag or box, squeeze for very realistic snow crunching effect
• Slinky- extend and strike for Star Wars style phaser/laser sounds (used by Ben Burtt in Star Wars)
• Generators, Vending machines, air conditioning etc- all work to provide background hum and atmos, useful in many scenes.
• Carrots, Celery etc- twist and snap to simulate breaking bones, ice etc.
• Steak- punch for realistic meaty impact.
• Cabbage, Cauliflour etc- use a knife for stabbing effect (used in Halloween).
• Shower- use conventional or hyrdophone mic for rain effect.
• Melon- scoop inside for gooey, slimy effect
• Wafers, crackers, biscuits etc- snap for bones, eggshells etc
• Gas cylinders, propane tanks etc- strike with metal for bell effect- great reverb
• Cocunuts- use dry halves on plywood for horse hoof beats.
• Pineapple- rough skin for abrasion effects, rough skin etc
• Knotted rope- spin around head to create whirring wind effect
• Dogs bark- reversed and altered provides a wide range of alien/monster effects (used in Jurassic Park)

Foley Trays- wooden trays filled with material to simulate footsteps- e.g. gravel, paving slabs, sand etc.

Sound Skills- Session 1

First Sound skills session today- 02/02/12

• Introduction to new Marantz 661- very simple, easy to use, less bulky than the previous model. 
• Quick briefing of microphone models- all types I have used and experimented with before (e.g. Hydrophone, Rode NT4, Rifle mics, tie clip mics) 
• Learnt new technique suggestions_ in particular for better atmos recordings. (e.g. attach two tie clip mics to a coat hanger at either end for a cheap method of detailed stereo recordings, or leaving a Rode in a tree branch and daisy chaining XLRs to another location so as not to 'spook' the location. 
• Suggestions- insert micro tie clip mics into machinery etc for micro sounds
• Use hydrophone in its plastic foot to pick up surface vibrations (e.g. machinery, electrics gates, vending machines etc.) 
• Very useful info on correct mixing levels- as follows

Atmos/Ambient- working between -50db and -20db (acts as the 'glue' to give the soundscape depth)
Dynamic Layer- working between -60db and 6db (everything else, can feature very heavily e.g. explosions, gunshots)
Feature- Optimum range 12db (generally dialogue and main focus sounds)

Between 0db and 6db = headroom, for noises that peak/go too loud- try to avoid recordings reaching this bracket...no way back from here!!