Soundtrack production for the Moving Image
Moving Image: (how they are produced and created and purpose)
film:
When still images are shown on a screen one after another to create the illusion of the image moving. This is how any moving image is produced, whether its movies, record cameras or animation. Film(or movies) have more of a professional approach to projects as they have larger budgets therefore they can afford to create more scenes. Hollywood movies tend to follow the same process when filming:
development, pre production, production, post production and distribution
Films are usually expensive as mentioned before therefore they are created to produce profit as well as being viewed as a form of art.
TV:
TV is very similar to the way films are produced however they have constraints that they need to work around. Firstly TV production companies have smaller budgets meaning they are restricted on the number of resources they can use. Second, TV is demanded by audience faster than a film is, for example a TV show may run every Saturday so episodes need to be shot and produced ready for the release date. Thirdly, pilot episodes are usually created to test whether audiences respond well to a new TV show, if the results are positive then they will be allowed to film the rest of the series. TV film is produced for a variety of reasons from informing audience about a subject to just entertainment, but all TV film is produced with the idea of making profit.
Web:
Web film is created with the intention of distributing the fina product onto the internet. The production is similar but how it is distributed differs from regular film and Tv as it keeps up to date with popular trends of accessing files. So they are created so they are easily streamed.
Hand held devices:
A technique used when a cameraman holds the camera in their hands not on a tripod. Convenient size for travel. Often more shaky compared to a camera on a tripod but when this is a desired effect it is called shaky camera.
Video Tape:
Magnetic tape used for storing film and or sound. Tape is a linear way of storing information meaning the information appears in the same order as it was recorded. When it was first invented it was a new and cheaper way to produce moving images compared to photographic film and became very popular seen in the example of VCR- Video cassette recorders.
Animation:
The process showing still images one after another to create the effect of movement, known as the phi phenomenon. They are different variations of animation which are used to produce a variety of effects on screen.
Flash animation- when a film is created using Adobe Flash to create a project in a SWF file format. The way it works is by using vector mapping. These films are created with the intention of being distributed on the web.
Stop Motion- The process of taking a real life photo of an object then changing the position of that object before taking a new photo. This process is repeated and when played back will look as if the object is moving.
CGI- Computer Generated Imagery is normally done by creating 3D graphics for to create scenery or special effects for film or Tv. How it is created is by filming infront of a green screen and then the graphics is added later in production on the computer.
When still images are shown on a screen one after another to create the illusion of the image moving. This is how any moving image is produced, whether its movies, record cameras or animation. Film(or movies) have more of a professional approach to projects as they have larger budgets therefore they can afford to create more scenes. Hollywood movies tend to follow the same process when filming:
development, pre production, production, post production and distribution
Films are usually expensive as mentioned before therefore they are created to produce profit as well as being viewed as a form of art.
TV:
TV is very similar to the way films are produced however they have constraints that they need to work around. Firstly TV production companies have smaller budgets meaning they are restricted on the number of resources they can use. Second, TV is demanded by audience faster than a film is, for example a TV show may run every Saturday so episodes need to be shot and produced ready for the release date. Thirdly, pilot episodes are usually created to test whether audiences respond well to a new TV show, if the results are positive then they will be allowed to film the rest of the series. TV film is produced for a variety of reasons from informing audience about a subject to just entertainment, but all TV film is produced with the idea of making profit.
Web:
Web film is created with the intention of distributing the fina product onto the internet. The production is similar but how it is distributed differs from regular film and Tv as it keeps up to date with popular trends of accessing files. So they are created so they are easily streamed.
Hand held devices:
A technique used when a cameraman holds the camera in their hands not on a tripod. Convenient size for travel. Often more shaky compared to a camera on a tripod but when this is a desired effect it is called shaky camera.
Video Tape:
Magnetic tape used for storing film and or sound. Tape is a linear way of storing information meaning the information appears in the same order as it was recorded. When it was first invented it was a new and cheaper way to produce moving images compared to photographic film and became very popular seen in the example of VCR- Video cassette recorders.
Animation:
The process showing still images one after another to create the effect of movement, known as the phi phenomenon. They are different variations of animation which are used to produce a variety of effects on screen.
Flash animation- when a film is created using Adobe Flash to create a project in a SWF file format. The way it works is by using vector mapping. These films are created with the intention of being distributed on the web.
Stop Motion- The process of taking a real life photo of an object then changing the position of that object before taking a new photo. This process is repeated and when played back will look as if the object is moving.
CGI- Computer Generated Imagery is normally done by creating 3D graphics for to create scenery or special effects for film or Tv. How it is created is by filming infront of a green screen and then the graphics is added later in production on the computer.
Audio components: (how they are created and discuss uses)
Studio and location:
Recording in a studio is useful when you want to record sounds that are clear with minimal background interfering. The advantage of recording in a studio is that you can repeat the process if needed to be clearer, the disadvantage is that you can lose natural background sounds which are needed in certain circumstances. Studio recordings are usually for interviews, voiceover and presentations. Location recording is recording outside of a studio which can cause some troubles as you are not protected from natural background sounds, for example wind. With the assistance of equipment such as a dead cat unwanted environment sounds can be softened. The advantage of filming on location is if you desire ambient sound or natural noise. The disadvantage is the sound is not as clear compared to studio.
Recording in a studio is useful when you want to record sounds that are clear with minimal background interfering. The advantage of recording in a studio is that you can repeat the process if needed to be clearer, the disadvantage is that you can lose natural background sounds which are needed in certain circumstances. Studio recordings are usually for interviews, voiceover and presentations. Location recording is recording outside of a studio which can cause some troubles as you are not protected from natural background sounds, for example wind. With the assistance of equipment such as a dead cat unwanted environment sounds can be softened. The advantage of filming on location is if you desire ambient sound or natural noise. The disadvantage is the sound is not as clear compared to studio.
Interviews:
Interviews can occur in different locations like inside a studio or on the street. So the equipment used to record the audio can vary. If in a studio then smaller microphones can be clipped onto each person who is talking as well as having a boom mic controlled by a boom pole operator. All of the different microphones can then be regulated from the control room. If the interview is on a location then one handheld microphone is usually used, and the interviewer will point the mic towards whoever is speaking at that time. Normally the microphone will have a dead cat attached to it in order to dampen wind or harsh sounds being recorded.
Interviews can occur in different locations like inside a studio or on the street. So the equipment used to record the audio can vary. If in a studio then smaller microphones can be clipped onto each person who is talking as well as having a boom mic controlled by a boom pole operator. All of the different microphones can then be regulated from the control room. If the interview is on a location then one handheld microphone is usually used, and the interviewer will point the mic towards whoever is speaking at that time. Normally the microphone will have a dead cat attached to it in order to dampen wind or harsh sounds being recorded.
Presentation:
The editing needed for a presentation is limited as it is often to a live audience. Usually there is one presenter who speaks into a hand held microphone and that is then played through speakers so the audience can hear. Before the presentation begins sound checks are used to ensure general sound levels are good from every position in the audience. Audio can also come from a slideshow that includes audio which again is checked beforehand to ensure sound levels are clear for the audience and is played through speakers.
The editing needed for a presentation is limited as it is often to a live audience. Usually there is one presenter who speaks into a hand held microphone and that is then played through speakers so the audience can hear. Before the presentation begins sound checks are used to ensure general sound levels are good from every position in the audience. Audio can also come from a slideshow that includes audio which again is checked beforehand to ensure sound levels are clear for the audience and is played through speakers.
Voiceover:
This is when you record dialogue and use it over a video. Usually this is done by recording dialogue in a studio, as it has less background noise compared to location recordings, and then played over the moving image. This effect can be used as narration for the video like David Attenborough documentaries or replace dialogue.
This is when you record dialogue and use it over a video. Usually this is done by recording dialogue in a studio, as it has less background noise compared to location recordings, and then played over the moving image. This effect can be used as narration for the video like David Attenborough documentaries or replace dialogue.
Drama dialogue:
When watching a drama you can't see any microphones on camera. The reason for this is the drama is seen as an on screen world (the world that the characters are in is real). So to get around this problem boom mics are used to capture the actors dialogue. Each actor is assigned to a separate microphone so that sound levels ae balanced.
When watching a drama you can't see any microphones on camera. The reason for this is the drama is seen as an on screen world (the world that the characters are in is real). So to get around this problem boom mics are used to capture the actors dialogue. Each actor is assigned to a separate microphone so that sound levels ae balanced.
Ambient Sound:
Ambient sounds are the background sounds that can be heard in the moving image. Examples of this are wind, birds and traffic. Because ambient sounds are background noises they can be recorded either on set of film production or later in a studio. If the sounds are recorded on set then some problems can occur like the dialogue of actors interfering with the ambient sounds and the sound jumping if two recordings are taken of the same scene. To avoid this sound crews can record the background sounds slightly longer than the length of the scene separate to the dialogue and then edit it in the studio later on.
Ambient sounds are the background sounds that can be heard in the moving image. Examples of this are wind, birds and traffic. Because ambient sounds are background noises they can be recorded either on set of film production or later in a studio. If the sounds are recorded on set then some problems can occur like the dialogue of actors interfering with the ambient sounds and the sound jumping if two recordings are taken of the same scene. To avoid this sound crews can record the background sounds slightly longer than the length of the scene separate to the dialogue and then edit it in the studio later on.
Sound effects:
If you ever watch a movie and hear the sound of a gun firing or a sword being drawn from its sheath, the chances are it was a sound effect created in a recording studio using Foley. Foley is when you add sound effects to a moving image after it has been recorded. An example of this would be filming a horse gallop, then record the sound effect afterwards. A Foley artist is someone whose job it is to create sound effects for moving images. In order to create the sound effects, the artist uses anything they can find to create the desired sound. This can be anything from sheets of metal to a heavy phone book.
If you ever watch a movie and hear the sound of a gun firing or a sword being drawn from its sheath, the chances are it was a sound effect created in a recording studio using Foley. Foley is when you add sound effects to a moving image after it has been recorded. An example of this would be filming a horse gallop, then record the sound effect afterwards. A Foley artist is someone whose job it is to create sound effects for moving images. In order to create the sound effects, the artist uses anything they can find to create the desired sound. This can be anything from sheets of metal to a heavy phone book.
Stationary and moving sound sources:
A stationary sound source is when something creates a noise from the same position. This means that the microphone picks up the sound from the same location. A moving sound source is when the source creating the sound moves, a perfect example of this is when a car drives past you, and this is caused by the Doppler effect. This effect basically means sound sources which are further away sound quieter and then get louder as they get closer. The reason this occurs is because at a far distance the frequency of the sound is lower then as it moves closer to you becomes more compressed and creates a higher frequency. If you use panning on stereo recordings then it is possible for you to move the sound from the left to the right or vice versa to create the effect of the sound sources moving passed you.
A stationary sound source is when something creates a noise from the same position. This means that the microphone picks up the sound from the same location. A moving sound source is when the source creating the sound moves, a perfect example of this is when a car drives past you, and this is caused by the Doppler effect. This effect basically means sound sources which are further away sound quieter and then get louder as they get closer. The reason this occurs is because at a far distance the frequency of the sound is lower then as it moves closer to you becomes more compressed and creates a higher frequency. If you use panning on stereo recordings then it is possible for you to move the sound from the left to the right or vice versa to create the effect of the sound sources moving passed you.
Use of presence:
Presence means when you creates sounds to the effect that it came from afar or closer to the audience. This effect can be created simply by changing the sound levels. So if you want a sound to appear closer you would increase the volume, if you want it further away then make the sound quieter.
Presence means when you creates sounds to the effect that it came from afar or closer to the audience. This effect can be created simply by changing the sound levels. So if you want a sound to appear closer you would increase the volume, if you want it further away then make the sound quieter.
Relationship between sound and picture: (how they are used ion final production)
Diegetic:
When a sound comes a source which can be seen on screen is known as diegetic. Examples of this include characters speaking or the sound of knocking on a door and that action is visible.
When a sound comes a source which can be seen on screen is known as diegetic. Examples of this include characters speaking or the sound of knocking on a door and that action is visible.
Non Diegetic:
This is the opposite of diegetic, so when a sound is heard but the source of that sound is not seen. Things like narration and the soundtrack are considered non diegetic.
This is the opposite of diegetic, so when a sound is heard but the source of that sound is not seen. Things like narration and the soundtrack are considered non diegetic.
External diegetic:
Sound that can be heard from both the audience and the characters are defined as external diegetic. An example of this is when a narrator talks to the audience but can also be heard from the characters in the movie as well.
Sound that can be heard from both the audience and the characters are defined as external diegetic. An example of this is when a narrator talks to the audience but can also be heard from the characters in the movie as well.
Mood:
Mood is how the character is feeling and the atmosphere created in the film, this can be emphasised by the use of sound. For example when a character is sad rain can usually be heard as a way to get across o the audience what mood is felt in the movie.
Mood is how the character is feeling and the atmosphere created in the film, this can be emphasised by the use of sound. For example when a character is sad rain can usually be heard as a way to get across o the audience what mood is felt in the movie.
Meaning:
Illusion:
Examples:
Here is an example that was completed in class to demonstrate the process of creating the sound effects. First we were given a number of different videos we could choose to import into Cubase. Then we were given a microphone to record various sounds that we could use as SFX for the video clip. In the example I recorded myself stamping on a box of rocks to create the sound of someone walking. For the wind, I rubbed the microphone across the back of one of the fabric chairs at the same time as watching the video so I was in time. After that, using sound editing techniques like fading and compression I edited the audio to my preferred liking.
(Add screenshots and clip of walking video)
For the second example, I was given a video clip of a city by the sea and imported it into a new Cubase project. Next, I added a marker track by going to project, add track and then marker. The marker track is to help us view when the video transitions from one scene to the next. To do this I watched the video, then paused it when a transition occurred to see the exact moment when a marker was needed. Using the pencil tool I could place a marker. Once all markers were placed, I used a website called Freesound.org to download some premade sound effects. The process of adding the sound effects then became similar to the first example.
(Add screenshots and clip of city by the sea)Soundtrack
- Listened to examples
- Worked on opening theme
- Worked on character snippets
- finished opening theme
- recorded sound effects
- worked on ending credit
- went off site to record sound effects
- finished ending credits
