P1: Understanding how sound elements are used
Keywords: Sound Elements and Terminology
Below I've listed all the things that are needed to create a piece of music used in film/Tv or adverts.
Below I've listed all the things that are needed to create a piece of music used in film/Tv or adverts.
All things needed to create the music piece:
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Things needed for Recording:
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Gain
Top knob –gain, mic sound (bit of a boost) – too much gain bit distorted Hiss Trying to put up something that is too quiet and make it louder, you get a hiss Pop Too close to the mic – ‘p’ sounds EQ Equaliser to take the hiss away, however could make the voice sound robotic Pan Make the sound be ‘stereo’ not ‘mono’ so it comes out of both ears not one ear XLR Wire |
Matt Groening The Simpsons theme tune:
The ideas came from people from Scott Bradley and Car Stalling all their them where put, however, he used music the occupied from Hanna-Barbers (Jetsons theme) composed by Cuite Curtain. Danny Elfman helped create the theme tune for the Simpsons, he had previously helped create the "Batman and pee wees big adventure" theme tune. Matt Groening had given him a list of all music he liked and Danny Elfman created something similar to all these sounds. ADR - Automatic Dialogue Replacement
Automated dialogue replacement (ADR) is the process of re-recording dialogue by the original actor after the filming process to improve audio quality or reflect dialogue changes (also known as "looping" or a "looping session”). Sync - Synchronisation FLAC - FREE LOSSLESS AUDIO CORD |
Key words - Sound Elements and Terminology
-Diegetic
-Non-Diegetic -Dialogue -Sound effects -Music -Quotes -Tone of dialogue -Effect upon the audience -Wild track -Convey location -No dialogue -Enhance characteristics -Connote -EQ -Sound Motif -Musical foreshadowing -Trebble -Pan -Sound Editor -Sync -MP3: Moving Pictures -WAV: waveform audio file format |
-ADR: Automatic Dialogue ReplacementSync
-DTS- Dedicated to Sound -FLCA: Free lossless audio codec -Mood -Atmosphere -Conventions -Portray a feeling -Educate -Silence -Entertain -Make you feel -Locations -Layered sound effect -Gain -POP -Distortion -Hiss -XLR Wire -High frequency -Low frequency -Foley Artist -Sound engineer |
Below I have sourced 6 different categories of media: Film, TV, Radio/Audio drama, Animation, Advert, Computer game. Within this, I have explored all the sounds that have been used to create the piece and how these sounds might convey to the audience (What emotions they may give off)
Film
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In the opening sequence of Hot Fuzz, the audio fades in slowly and you can hear diegetic sounds such as the police whistle, alarms going off and the sound of police sirens as well as the police cars speeding past. All of these sounds are slowly faded in to build up the tension, but to also connote to the audience that this film will have something to do with crime or in fact the English police, as you can hear that distinctive sound of the English police siren going off. The last sound of the eclectic piece is the sound of an explosion, all the sound effects at the start are added together until we hear the final explosion when we are then greeted with the first shot and we hear the diegetic sound of the sliding doors open and the sound of our main characters footsteps, as he walks towards the camera. The sound of his footsteps getting louder create an intense atmosphere, the sound of footsteps foreshadow our main character walking to the boss where he then gets transferred. There is then a voiceover that joins the opening scene, the non-diegetic sound of the voiceover is a deep intense voice that is clear and understandable for the audience, this connotes that the main character is a serious well-spoken man, this is also accompanied by clips of our main character doing several tasks at the police force showing that he is a serious policeman, which further illustrates the fact this is a film about crime. The voiceover is then accompanied by music, the music used with the clips and voiceover juxtaposes the whole opening sequence as the music has a quick drum beat which is echoed, the sound of a banjo is then played which juxtaposes the whole sequence as it sounds funny and not a serious instrument this straight away connotes the fact this isn't going to be a serious film. When the main character is doing the voiceover we hear non- diegetic and diegetic sounds, for example the non diegetic sounds we hear are sound effects like a swoosh sounds to represent speed as well as explosions that aren't actually there, for the diegetic sound we hear sounds of gunfire, people shouting, car tyre squealing and the sound of a pen being clicked, all these sounds are diegetic and the audience and the main character can hear them. All these sounds that are displayed in this first opening sequence are put together to make a realistic piece of what working on the force sounds like as well as making it engaging to the audience.
TV
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This trailer starts off with a loud sound effect of a match striking and then lighting a cigarette. Having this diegetic sound alerts the audience and makes them feel more on edge as this sound effect is very loud. This, I feel, grabs the audience's attention and gives a realistic feel to the TV advert making the audience want to find out more. As this is a period drama it sets the scene perfectly, by having this diegetic sound of a match striking and lighting a cigarette, instantly the audience realises this is set in the past. At this point a crescendo of music is joined with a loud drum beat that is very slow. Having this drum beat gives anticipation for the advert as well as making it more interesting, for example, all of the shots change on the drumbeat, this is to create an interest. In the next clip we see a fire burning and we hear the cracking of the wood on the fire, this foreshadows what will happen in the next clip. The sound of the fire crackling is both a comforting sound and a slightly off-putting sound, it creates this tense atmosphere especially with the crescendo of music slowly rising, it gives you connotations of either death as this is a period drama or feelings of comfort and warmth. As I mentioned early this shot foreshadows the one after where we see two men with shovels pouring the burnt wood into a grave. The diegetic sound here is the sound of the spade shoveling the wood and coal, in this clip the drum beat hits when one man shovels the coal and wood, this makes the audience tense as they are hit with this sudden drum beat and loud sound effect of a spade shovel. The music really plays with the atmosphere within the advert playing with the location and making it seem like a harsh deserted place, the music also helps visualise the characters of the show. Through these shots, we hear a voiceover which then later in the advert becomes a dialogue between other characters. However the voiceover heard in the clips is a very soft voiceover. The main character isn't shouting what he is saying but saying it in a soft tone, this makes the audience feel uneasy, and with what he is saying makes it more eerie. From him talking in a soft tone we can connate something bad is going to happen especially when he says phrases like " Gentlemen there is hell, and there is another place below hell...I will remember everything". This straight away gives the idea this is going to be a period crime drama. The music slowly goes to a higher pitch towards the end of the advert until it stops when the main character says his line, and then the title sequence appears and the music comes back but much larger and pans creating an atmosphere for the audience.
Radio / Audio Drama
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The Radio drama starts off with the theme tune to the archers which connotes straight away to the audience that the show is about to start (by doing this it means the audience will then start to pay attention and start to listen in as they know this is the start of the program). The radio drama starts off with loud knocking and the repetition of a woman shouting "dad", the diegetic sound of fast knocking connotes to the audience that something is wrong, especially with the diegetic sound of someone shouting Dad. With the dialogue of the dad and daughter talking it adds comedy to what they're saying, for example, the girl tells her dad she needs £400 to go to London with there friend, this adds a comedy sense as this is a lot of money and the way the dd responses adds to this response. The radio show also uses voiceovers with echoes or makes it sound as its far away this adds an effect to the radio show that its real life, this is non-diegetic sound being used in a radio drama. Later in the restaurant, we hear diegetic sounds of footsteps on the floor we also hear the diegetic sound of a spoon being stirred in a cup, both these diegetic sounds gives the audience an idea of where the location might be, that being someone's house, restaurant, cafe. But when we get the dialogue of "would you like a menu" 4:10, the audience can then make the connection to a restaurant. Also at 4:23 you can hear the diegetic sound of the background noise of other customers chatting and eating, as well as the diegetic sound of the knives and forks against the plates. Towards the end, we hear diegetic sounds of wind, keys being rattled into a lock as well as doors closing at 12:25. At 12:40 we then have the non-diegetic sound of the outdo being played, this is slowly faded in from the dialogue and builds up and then fades back out so you can hear the radio presenter speak. All of these added sound effects create a beautiful picture in the listeners head allowing them to enjoy the narrative throughout.
Animation
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The short film starts off with the Pixar animated theme tune (trumpets and drums) having this non diegetic sound straight away gives connotations of Pixar's animations and that the short animation is about to start, this non diegetic sound effects and music slowly fade out and we are introduced to the diegetic sound of someone stretching or struggling, 0:20, after the short burst of sound we get another diegetic sound of a belly rumbling, having both these sounds after on another and related several times gives connotations that someone is stuck and is hungry. Non-diegetic sounds are then played (music) at 0:25 this piece of music is a flue being played as this has conations to the short animation, (The short animation being about magic). 0:34 we here the sound diegetic sound of the rabbit getting angry with his belly still rumbling as he tries to reach for the carrot whilst in his cage. We hear diegetic sounds of the cage being rattled as he gets angry he can't reach the carrot. Having these sounds and sound effects makes this audience think and wonder what actually is happening here and why this rabbit isn't getting the carrot. But it also has a comical side to it by having these angry sounds and a cute little bunny rabbit it really juxtaposes too what we see making it funny. 0:38 we have diegetic sound of the door being opened and then the sounds of footsteps of the magician walking in, we also hear the sound of him chewing thin licking his fingers, this straight away give connotations that the rabbits owner is the magician and that he isn't the best owner as he forgot to feed his rabbit. These general sound elements create realism to the animation, really making it seem real. In the animation we also have the sound of the music, the sounds of strings connote to the audience maybe this magician is evil or perhaps he's worried someone is going to steal his tricks, by adding this music it adds tension to the piece making the audience want to learn more and find out whats going to happen. At the end of the piece, we hear the outdo which was the theme tune at the start, the music used is very nostalgic, very old school music. This is so they can relate to all sorts of audiences, even adults.
TV Advert
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This Tv advert starts off when the diegetic sound of a jungle, that being birds and monkeys calling, cricket and frog noises, and the fast native music that is played quietly in the background, by having these sounds it gives connotations to the audiences that this car is going to be slick and Brand new, by using these sounds, however, gives connotations to the audience that this car can easily go off road as jungles has connotations of normally hinge really bumpy and somewhere where there is rough terrain. There is then a low hum that passes the shot this hum connotes to the audience straight away that this new Range Rover is very quiet. The advert is trying to tell the audience that this car is so silent it couldn't even wake up the rainforest. The next shot we see is the car slowing down as it sees an animal in the road 0:30, the diegetic sound used here is the sound of the car tires stopping, they use a sticky sound to connote that these tires are really sticky and will allow you to brake and stop instantly. The shots after this we hear the sound of monkey laughing and a big cat purring, these animals are quite dangerous ones and by having them 'tamed' by this car connotes to the audience that this car is great to have and will 'tame' wild animals. Later in the advert we see the person getting out of the car, but when doing so we only have the diegetic sound of the car, for example, we see the interior of the car and all the electronic pieces fold away, but when this happens we can only hear a ting noise of the motors on the electrics. They use this sound element to connote to the audience that this is a silent car, it is not loud at all. After the person gets out the car and walks off we hear his footsteps, these sound elements used is really loud so the advertisers are trying to tell the audience that your footsteps are louder than the actual car, this then makes the target audience intrigued about the car and might make them want to purchases it.
Computer Games
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The game's intro starts off with non-diegetic sounds such as a whooshing sound effect, this is then layered with the diegetic sound of wind. The second piece of sound we hear is the dealing tone of a phone and then it goes straight to voicemail, this will intrigue the audience as the diegetic sound of the phone ringing only once will create tension, especially when the voiceover of the person leaving the messages starts to speak. The voiceover or the person leaving the messages say "This is Chad from the US embassy In regards to a tourist visa" this straight away tells the audience our main protagonist is in another country especially as the visuals used are supposed to be the countries mountains. As the voiceover continues the sound of the wind starts to rise along with the sound of cars and buses driving past and horns being beeped. All these sounds rising slowly will create tension to the audience as the diegetic sounds will get loud and almost uncomfortable to listen to. Then dialogues stats between the two charters sitting on the bus together, the strange looking person on the bus ask for the main charters passport, straight away with this dialogue, it creates tension and mystery as you wonder why he needs his passport. Gradually after the sound elements come back with he slow uprising of the music, when this happens we can understand how the characters are feeling. As the music gradually gets louder, the camera transitions also help us understand what is happening as well as how we feel about the characters.