P2

In this post I will explain how sound elements are produced.

Foley/music
A foley sound is a sound which is created during post-production. This sound is then placed over a scene. Foley sounds can be used to enhance the scene. These sounds are created in a foley studio by using a range of objects to create a sound to compliment footage on screen.

Foley sounds were created by Jack Foley in the 1920s. This is because radio needed live sounds to compliment the dialogue. Foley artists used foley sounds in live radio broadcasts rather than using pre-recorded sound effects.

A foley artist's job is to record the sounds to be used in a film or TV show. They use everyday items to record sounds which can then be layered over footage during post-production. These sounds can rage from weather e.g. rain and wind to activities such as walking.

Foley sounds can be created using a variety of items, usually items which you wouldn't expect to use to create such sounds. These objects are then used to create sounds to compliment footage on screen.

This video shows how a foley artist records and creates sounds which can be used during post-production.

How is sound used within a media product?

Music can be used in a media product for a variety of reasons. It can be used to create an effect, and this effect will change depending on the music used, as well as the scene the music is used in.

For example, I will show the Mrs Doubtfire film trailer and an edited version which makes the trailer look like its a horror film. This shows how music can change the effect of a scene.

Original trailer

Edited trailer

In the original Mrs Doubtfire trailer has a positive mood and atmosphere. This is shown by the bright scenes both indoors and outside. When outdoor shots are used the weather is bright and sunny which further shows this mood. The trailer uses clips of characters and events in the film, all in which create a positive look. There is music included in the background of this trailer which is upbeat. This shows that them film fits a similar mood. 

In the edited Mrs Doubtfire trailer, the shots included are longer than the original trailer. This creates a sense of unease and suspense while watching it. The shots used are often close up shots or mid/long shots which creates a sense of watching the events unfold, which again creates a feeling of worry. After long duration shots there are sharp cuts to black before the next shot and this makes the audience feel intrigued to see what happens next. The scenes/ shots shown in this trailer are desaturated, some made to be black and white. This is common in the genre horror as darker scenes create a sense of unease and panic for the audience.  In the background of this trailer, there is music which again is often used in horror films. There is also the sound of a bell dinging at the beginning of the trailer which can put the audience on edge. 

By comparing these two trailers, both using clips from the same film, you can see how the use of shot arrangement and music in a media product can create a different mood and effect for the audience.

A theme tune is a song which is associated which a media product. Theme songs are often used in TV shows, films or advertisements to remind the audience of the product. Theme tunes are often made to be memorable and catchy so the media product is easily recognisable (an ear worm). 

Big Brother theme tune 2023

This is the theme tune to Big Brother shown in 2023. This theme tune features no dialogue and this may draw the audience in. The music itself is upbeat and fast-paced and this could be included to represent the chaos and drama which happens within the house. 

This video shows the Big Brother theme tunes from 2000-2018. The 2023 theme tune is very similar from each of the theme tunes since 2000 and therefore the theme tune will be recognisable and associated with the program. This will then grab the attention of people who have watched previous series of the show and hopefully intrigue them to watch the 2023 series as it returns after 5 years off air. 

Equipment and techniques
To create audio there is a variety of equipment which can be used.

A radio mic is easy to use in a variety of settings due to it not being wired to other equipment. A radio mic is often used during interviews as there is likely be movement of people. Such microphones are used for easy movement of interviewers/interviewees. These mics are often discreet and can be matched to the colour of clothing worn.

Headphones are used when recording audio so that you can hear the audio which is being or has been recorded. This means that you can speak at a suitable volume.

Audio is usually recorded in a sound booth. A sound booth is a room with spongy material on the walls to prevent external sounds, as well as echoes from inside the booth. This means that sound is kept within the room it is being recorded, and sounds from outside are kept out where possible.

  

A boom pole is used to record audio often in a TV or film setting. A microphone on a pole is held above what audio is being recorded, often a boom pole is held above a person to record dialogue in a scene of a show/film.

A windshield is used when recording audio outdoors to reduce noise. For example if recoding outdoors, there is likely wind or traffic noise, this can be reduced heavily by using a windshield. 

Acoustic isolation panels are panels placed on the wall to help removed sound from outside the room. 

Technicals
There is a large number of sound formats which can be used.

One sound format which can be used is MP3. An MP3 sound format is widely used as it is accepted on all software. This file is compressed, this means that space is saved and data is rearranged. This file type is also lossy, this means that data is removed.

A WAV (Wave) sound format is an uncompressed file. This means that the quality and file size isn't affected. This also means the file has a higher quality than if saved with other file types.

An MP3 file is commonly used as they are accepted on all platforms. An MP3 file is compressed and lossy which means the file size is smaller but the quality decreases.

A CD (compact disc) can be used to store audio. However, they can be easily scratched which can cause the audio to be changed. CDs have a slow speed compared to a hard disk. They are portable but they must be carried in a bag as they could break, and won't fit in someone's pocket.

Audio can be stored on an internal hard disk. One negative to internal hard disks is that they aren't portable as they are physically inside a device. However, they are usually reliable but they can be damaged if the device is dropped. They do have a fast speed compared to other types of media storage.

Audio can be stored on cloud storage. Cloud storage can only be accessed when someone has an internet connection, so this is a negative to cloud storage. However, cloud storage can be accessed on all devices so different devices can be used in different locations. Cloud storage usually requires a subscription or a fee to use, however this is usually cheap. Another negative to cloud storage is that the files could become hacked.

A DRC (dynamic range compression) is a process which reduces the sound difference between the loud and quiet parts of the recorded audio. This can then help to make sound levels more consistent throughout a recording.

A bit rate describes the amount of data which is being transferred into audio. The bitrate can change the quality of the audio, for example the higher the bitrate the better the quality of audio.

The sample rate is the number of samples per second taken from a continuous signal. These samples will ten make a digital or discrete signal. The higher the sample size, the better quality the audio will be. A sample rate is measured per second in cycles per second or kilohertz.

What I will use
When creating my audio, I will use an MP3 file because it is recognised by all software. Although the file is compressed, the audio quality should be high enough as these sounds will only be used for personal/educational use, not professional. This means that they would not be  distributed and therefore it isn't a problem if the quality isn't as high as it was when the audio was first recorded.

I will choose to use a high sample rate of my audio in order to achieve the highest quality possible. This is because the higher the sample rate is, the higher the quality of the recorded material. I will also se the highest bit rate possible because the higher the bit rate, the higher the quality.

The Foley Artist (usv.edu)