Download Sound and Film

Sound and Recording
Overview
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Soundtracks
Sound Basics
Recording
Dialogue
Effects
Music
Mixing
Soundtracks
• Although most films come with a soundtrack on them, the
picture and the sound are recorded, edited, and mixed
separately.
• The soundtrack usually consists of dialogue, effects, and
music.
• During post-production (mixing) they are “married” back
together.
• A clapboard was used traditionally to synch up picture and
sound.
• Time-code used in film and video production for editing
purposes.
– 01:52:44:12.
– Hours, minutes, seconds, frames
Overview
• Film Sound is hyper-real
– an exaggeration of reality
– it is not a replica of reality.
– There are too many competing sounds in real
life.
– sound designers accent the important ones.
• Storytelling matters the most
Sound Basics
• Compression and expansion of the sound
waves in the medium determine its
characteristics
• Sound moves in a way analogous to the
ripples in a pond from a dropped stone
(Propagation)
Basic Characteristics
• Amplitude is the size of a soundwave
• Other names: volume, level, loudness
• Measured in Db*
• Frequency relates to pitch
• It is the number of waves per second
• Measured in Hertz
• Timbre is the quality of sound that comes from its tone rather
than its pitch or volume
• the quality or color of tone of an instrument or voice.
• Also called tone color
Sound in Film (cont’d)
• Diegetic Sound is sound whose source is visible on the
screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action
of the film: voices of characters, sounds made by objects in
the story, music represented as coming from instruments in
the story space ( = source music).
• In other words, Diegetic Sound is the sound produced by
things seen on the screen. For example, you see a man
slam a door shut and you hear the sound of door slam.
• Non-Diegetic sounds are all other sounds included in the
film. This may include the score and voice-over narration.
Decibels
• The name decibel means a tenth of a bel
– Alexander Graham Bell (hence the capital B in dB).
• dB doesn't have to relate to any fixed level of signal
– it is simply a convenient way of expressing the ratio between two signal
levels.
• We can pick any power or voltage to be our 0dB level and
then express all other values relative to that.
• For example, the record level meter on a tape machine is
always set so that the optimum recording level is shown as
0dB.
Audio
• Audio is the representation of sound, electrically or
by various methods on media, not sound itself.
• Sound is processed by microphones.
• Microphones are transducers, they convert the
sound energy into electrical energy. After that the
sound is called a signal.
Boom Operator
Recording
• Recording dialogue and production sounds is done during
principle photography, with a sound person (usually a boommic operator).
• Record sounds as loudly as possible without distortion. You
want the largest possible signal to noise ratio.
• Avoid external noises or voices that interfere with the sounds
you are trying to record.
• The pick-up pattern often determines the best microphone to
use for each situation.
Microphones
• Basic Microphone types:
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Omnidirectional
Bi-directionaly
Cardioid
Hypercardioid
Chose the mic according to the situation
Isolate the sound source as much as possible
Use a boom for dialogue if possible
Roll the sound before recording the picture
Use a wind-screen whenever possible
Dialogue
• Dialogue is usually recorded using a boom-mic
with a boom-mic operator
• Dialogue should be in the -12 to -6 db range
• Always check the recording before you break
down the set
• Room-tone is useful to have with dialogue
(always record 10 seconds before and after
each take)
ADR- Automated Dialogue Replacement or
“looping”. This is done to add lines or
replace unclear dialogue after the shooting
has taken place
Sound Effects
• Effects are recorded occasionally on set and usually in
post production
• Hard Effects are sounds that emanate from the action onscreen. For example, you see a man slam a door shut and
you hear the sound of door slam.
• Soft Effects are ambient sounds. Off-screen sounds.
• It is not unusual to have hundreds of effects tracks
• Many copyright-free sound effects can be found on the
internet
• Foley is the act of recording sound effects such as
footsteps and efforts, in a sound studio on a Foley
stage.
Music
• This is called a score.
• Music can overpower a film if not chosen properly. Song
lyrics can change the meaning of a scene
• You can find pre-recorded material or hire a composer.
You can also create your own soundtrack using real or
digital instruments
• Garage Band and Logic are excellent software packages
for creating original soundtracks.
• If you plan to enter film festivals or sell your film, you
need to clear the copyright with the owner of the
recording.
Characterization
• Dialogue, sound effects, music contribute
• Musical themes often identify characters
• Music can underscore characters’ insights
Step by Step Sound Recording
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Test the recording equipment before shooting.
Record ambience, effects, and dialogue on set
Use a shot-gun mic on a boom for dialogue
Leave space before and after each take (roll sound first)
Use a clap-board for sync purposes.
Isolate the sounds as much as possible.
Once the picture is locked you should think about effects and music
Go through the movie and make a list of needed effects
Collect or create effects scene by scene
Separate ambience, hard effects, and background effects
Create a rough mix
Hire a composer or acquire music for your film
Mix down for the different media you plan to output to.
Back up all of your work.