Preliminary Exercise 13: Introduction to Sound in Film (Be a Sound Engineer)

 Sound in film refers to the auditory elements that supports the visual elements, such as dialogue, music, and sound effects. It improves a film by adding depth, emotion, and context to the story. Audiences hear a carefully crafted blend of sound while watching a movie, from character dialogue and background music to natural sounds and special effects. By establishing mood and reinforcing the narrative context, sound plays an important role in supporting the genre, setting, and characters. In a horror film, for example, ominous music and strange sound effects heighten tension. Upbeat music and playful dialogue help to create a lighthearted atmosphere in a romantic comedy. Sound also contributes to a film's atmosphere by immersing the audience in the world created on screen. Through strategic use of sound, filmmakers can evoke emotions, build suspense, and emphasize key moments. Sound increases audience engagement through providing a more realistic and emotional viewing experience, helping viewers to connect on a deeper level with the characters and storyline.

Section A:  Definitions and Examples

Word	Meaning and example
Sound in film	A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. ·         Ex. Foot steps or clicking
Sound engineer	A sound engineer is responsible for the technical side of a recording or live performance. ·         Ex. Manage sound recording process.
Soundtrack	A track (as on a motion-picture film or television videotape) that carries the sound record.  ·         Ex. Gee whix, its Christmas” being played in a movie
Score	A film score is an original piece of music that is written and tailored for a specific film. ·         Ex. The Lost Weekend (1945), music by Miklós Rózsa.
Incidental Music	Incidental music is music written to accompany or point up the action or mood of a dramatic performance on stage, film, radio, television, or recording; to serve as a transition between parts of the action; or to introduce or close the performance. ·         Ex. Ludwig van Beethoven's music for J.W. von Goethe's Egmont (1810)
Theme music	Theme music is a musical composition which is often written specifically for radio programming, television shows, video games, or films and is usually played during the title sequence, opening credits, closing credits, and in some instances at some point during the program. Ex. Home Alone – Main Title ('Somewhere in my Memory')
Sound effects	A sound effect is an artificially created or enhanced sound, or sound process used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media.   Ex. Beep
Dialogue	Dialogue is a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people, and a literary and theatrical form that depicts such an exchange Ex. Steven- Shutup Garry!
Ambient Sound	Ambient noise is any sound other than the sound being monitored. Ex. The sound of rain
Voiceover	Voice-over is a production technique where a voice—that is not part of the narrative —is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations. Ex. “so now I am putting the egg in the bowl”

 

Section B: Becoming a sound engineer. 

1.      A Cabin/The Woods (Horror)
Music (List 6 words used to describe this music)	Ominous, Suspenseful, Dark, Haunting, Eerie, Foreboding
Sound Effects (List 10 effects)	Creaking of wood floors and doors, breathing, screams, high-pitched sounds, low frequency (infrasound), slams, slicing, knocking on doors, ghost sounds (whooshing, indistinct vocalization etc.), synthesizers.
Dialogue (List 4 lines or words used in popular movies to support your answers.)	·         “Okay I’m drawing a line in the ******* sand. Do not read the Latin.” – Cabin in the Woods ·         “We’ll all go in together” – Evil Dead II ·         “I just can’t take no pleasure in killing. There’s just some things you gotta do. Don’t mean you have to like it.” -The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ·         “Let’s go, let’s go! Are you not scared enough? -The Blair Witch Project

 

 

2.      Basketball Game (Teen Drama)
Music (List 6 words used to describe this music)	Uplifting, Rhythmic, Energetic, Pumping, Exciting, Hip-Hop
Sound Effects (List 10 effects)	Boy/Girl basketball team running, walking, stumping Crowd cheering Cheerleaders chanting Walking/running on bleachers Music Buzzer The ball bouncing The ball hitting the net The ball flying in the air Coach shouting
Dialogue (List 4 lines or words used in popular movies to support your answers.)	"Get your head in the game!" - High School Musical (2006) "It's not about the shoes. It's about what you do in them." - Space Jam (1996) "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." - Friday Night Lights (2006) "We're not here to start no trouble; we're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle." - The Super Bowl Shuffle (1985)

 

 

3.      Urban City Scene (Triller)
Music (List 6 words used to describe this music)	Energetic, Pulsating, Upbeat, Modern, Electronic, Dynamic
Sound Effects (List 10 effects)	City Traffic Footsteps on Pavement Car Horns Sirens Wailing Urban Ambience Bicycle Bell Subway Rumbling Street Performers Construction Site Police Radio Chatter
Dialogue (List 4 lines or words used in popular movies to support your answers.)	"I'm walking here!" - Midnight Cowboy (1969) "You talking to me?" - Taxi Driver (1976) "I feel the need... the need for speed." - Top Gun (1986) "Welcome to the party, pal!" - Die Hard (1988)

 

4.      Car Chase (Action)
Music (List 6 words used to describe this music)	Intense, Fast-paced, Pulsating, Adrenaline-pumping, Driving, Thrilling
Sound Effects (List 10 effects)	Screeching Tires Revving Engines Honking Horns Police Sirens Crash and Impact Sounds Shattering Glass Engine Roars Skidding on Asphalt Radio Chatter Doppler Effect (as vehicles pass)
Dialogue (List 4 lines or words used in popular movies to support your answers.)	"I feel the need... the need for speed." - Top Gun (1986) "Drive it like you stole it!" - Sing Street (2016) "You can't outrun the truth." - Fast & Furious 6 (2013) "We're not criminals. We just steal shit." - Baby Driver (2017)

 

 

5.      Highschool Romance (Comedy) Create your own!
Music (List 6 words used to describe this music)	Lighthearted, Playful, Cheerful, Upbeat, Sweet, Whimsical
Sound Effects (List 10 effects)	School Bell Ringing Laughter and Giggles Locker Door Slamming Cafeteria Ambience Classroom Murmurs Pencil Scribbling Footsteps in Hallways Squeaky Shoes on Gym Floor Cheering at Sports Events Chatter in the Hallways
Dialogue (List 4 lines or words used in popular movies to support your answers.)	"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) "You can't hide from yourself." - 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) "She doesn't even go here!" - Mean Girls (2004) "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." - Notting Hill (1999)

 

Reflection

Through this exercise, I learned to identify and use sounds in film effectively. Recognizing the importance of music, sound effects, and dialogue, I gained insights into how these elements contribute to the overall cinematic experience. In documenting each team member's responsibilities, we divided tasks based on individual strengths, dividing vocabulary selection and scenario creation among team members. Good communication was required to ensure an effective strategy and alignment of details. We improved the use of resources by utilizing our collective creativity and knowledge. Overall, the team performed well on this assignment by efficiently distributing tasks, maintaining open communication, and collectively contributing to a comprehensive understanding of sound in film.