P2 - First Draft

Omniya Tajni

P2: Describe how the sound elements are produced

Sound is created in different way for different media products. It’s not just the sound in the scene/location that is recorded. Sound artists record more sound separately, enabling the sound to have the effect they would like it to have.

Techniques

Foley sounds are used to create the realism of a specific soundtrack or sound needed. Foley sounds are often recording in a creative and crafted way that microphones on set often miss. This can be either the bang of a door or just normal footsteps, provides a touch of realism. The Foley artist usually becomes the actor in some ways, as the sound they are creating needs to be convincing, so they need to act the part. The pace and timing need to be specific in order for it to synch with the actual character’s actions. A Foley sound recording stage includes craft of all sorts such as cutlery, trays, tin cans, shoes. Foley artists can be as creative as possible. There is usually a Foley artist who creates the sound and a technician who records and edits the sound. I will be using Foley sounds in my production as I will try and link what the interviewees will be saying, and record sound based on that.

Wild tracks are used to enhance the believability of the atmospheric sounds in a media product. This could be a crowded street, busy restaurant or a park. Wild tracks are often known as off-screen sound; because they are recorded after the main footage or action has been captured. For example, footage in a park may not have naturalistic sounds, the wild track of this will then be layered over the footage and add to the realism of the product.

Voice-overs are used in audio-visual products; they can be used as an unseen narrator. The narration helps set the scene and is usually informative. Like in the TV show Riverdale, one of the characters, Jughead, usually starts of the episode with a narration about the town and what has happened, this sets the scene for the audience. Scripted speech allows the actors to deliver their lines in a specific way to add realism. Actors usually rehearse scenes they have with each other, so they are able to practice and react as believable as possible.

Equipment

Recording sound is not just with a normal microphone, there are a lot of specialist recording equipment that are used to record sound on location or wild tracks.

For my production I will be using a Zoom H5 Recorder. The reason for this is because it is hand held and portable and due to the fact that I will be interviewing different sound tracks in different locations, it will be very mobile for me to take with me and record the audio in the different locations.

Sound formats and file types

Sound formats are used for different purposes. My sound format will be suitable for web distribution as my sounds will be heard online on a digital platform. Therefore, the format I will need to record and save my sounds as when I edit them will be as an mp3 file, this is because the website I will be uploading it on will support this and will allow the sound to be heard at a good level. I will be using Garage Band to edit the sound I have recorded.