What is SOUND?
Sound is made up of vibrations, it is a physical thing travelling as a wave
frequency= pitch
sample rate =
Hz or KHz (number of audio samples carried per second)
amplitude= quieter/louder
bit rate = How many bits of data are processed every second
recording sound
sound is measured in decibels, travels in waves which is measured by frequency and amplitude.
conventional sample rate = 48khz & bit rate 24
Here are some of the common microphones used to record sound in the industry. It's important to think carefully about what sound quality you need.
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Are you doing a voice over?
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Is it an interview?
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Are you filming inside or outside?
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How close is the subject to camera?
radio mic
directional mic
Boom pole + directional mic
h6 handy recorder
lavalier mic
dynamic microphone
microphone windshield
watch this animation about how microphones work:
watch these videos to become familiar with
mic set ups:
life is never silent so it is essential to record all the background ambiences of wind, birds, traffic, hums and buzzes of everyday life. sound places you in space.
Music and dialogue alone are not enough to construct the world of your film.
(Pavlov, 2018)
At the start of every scene record 1 minute of ambient room sound (background noises) this can be used in the edit to cover up any distractions or cuts
top tip:
watch this video to understand how important audio is
for more on room tone
DIEGETIC VS NON-DIEGETIC SOUND
Sound that comes from the world you see on screen.
If the character can hear it- it's diegetic sound!
diegetic sound
non-diegetic sound
Any sound that doesn't come from the world you see on screen.
If the characters can't hear it- it's non-diegetic sound.
examples:
Diegetic sound:
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Music in the film (piano, cafe, elevator music)
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Sound effects of things happening in the film (explosions, rain, cars)
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Dialogue
non-Diegetic sound:
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Music soundtrack
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Sound effects outside the world of film
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Character narration
Diegetic sound:
Diegetic dialogue in Steve Jobs (2015)
Diegetic music can have a huge impact on a cinematic moment.
Notice how the diegetic sound continues even though the camera cuts away.
Diegetic music in Tarantino's movies
Diegetic sound effects in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Can you spot all the sound effects?
Everything is intensified to immerse the audience.
Internal monologue/ Narration in Forest Gump (1994)
Internal monologue/Character narrations are often mistaken for non-diegetic but as we are led to believe that the character is also hearing those thought it is therefore diegetic.
non-Diegetic sound:
Non-diegetic narration in Fight Club (1999)
Non-diegetic narration is for the audience's benefit.
Useful for filling in the gaps on screen or describing a characters background.
Direct narration to the audience, breaking the fourth wall.
This works well in American psycho as the audience get a glimpse into the mind of a psychopath.
Direct non-diegetic narration in American Psycho (2000)
Non-diegetic sound effects in Shaun of the dead (2004)
Listen out for all the 'whooshes' these usually accompany the whip pan transitions as well as the rumble whilst they think of a plan.
Non-diegetic sound effects in Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)
Diegetic sound effects:
Swoosh of Gogo's weapon
Non-diegetic sound effects: the backflip and the sound of bowling pins when she crashed through the table.
Non-diegetic music in Star Wars (1977)
Non-diegetic music and non-diegetic text as both are not in the film world.
Popular music is often chosen to overlay scenes.
Non-diegetic music in Catch Me If You Can (2002)
non-Diegetic sound:
Non-diegetic narration in Fight Club (1999)
Non-diegetic narration is for the audience's benefit.
Useful for filling in the gaps on screen or describing a characters background.
Direct narration to the audience, breaking the fourth wall.
This works well in American psycho as the audience get a glimpse into the mind of a psychopath.
Direct non-diegetic narration in American Psycho (2000)
Non-diegetic sound effects in Shaun of the dead (2004)
Listen out for all the 'whooshes' these usually accompany the whip pan transitions as well as the rumble whilst they think of a plan.
Non-diegetic sound effects in Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)
Diegetic sound effects:
Swoosh of Gogo's weapon
Non-diegetic sound effects: the backflip and the sound of bowling pins when she crashed through the table.
Non-diegetic music in Star Wars (1977)
Non-diegetic music and non-diegetic text as both are not in the film world.
Popular music is often chosen to overlay scenes.
Non-diegetic music in Catch Me If You Can (2002)
How to set up the perfect sound studio
Capturing the perfect sound
More to watch on sound:
bibliography:
Pavlov, A. (2018) The VideoMaker. ‘Sound design: how sound helps tell your visual stories’. [PDF]. (Available at: https://www.videomaker.com/article/f04/19052-sound-design-how-sound-helps-tell-your-visual-stories) [Accessed on 6/10/19]