Describe each of the three basic categories of sound (dialogue, sound effects, and music).
Dialogue
According to Jane Knowles Marshall, dialogue refers to the sound of the human voice. "Dialogue authenticates the speaker as an individual or a real person rather than the imaginary creation of a story teller." The voice of an actor will be associated with their character to the point that audiences cannot discriminate between the actor's own personality and the personality of their character. Dialogue is vital to characterization. (Marshall, n.d.).
Sound Effects
Jane Knowles Marshall also states that sound effects include synchronous and asynchronous sounds. "Synchronous sounds are those sounds which are synchronized or matched with what is viewed." and "Asynchronous sound effects are not matched with a visible source of the sound on screen" (Marshall, n.d.).
Music
Lastly, Jane Knowles Marshall adds that "Background music is used to add emotion and rhythm to a film" (Marshall, n.d.).
Assess the impact of sound in establishing the theme.
The impact of sound in The Searchers relates greatly to the theme. The background music in this film aids in establishing theme because of the music's genre. There is no new or modern music in the movie; all of the tracks are vintage country/western or orchestra music that sets the tone of the scenes. Since this is quite an old movie, it would not represent the theme well if there was modern music in the movie. Everything was meant to relate to the old west time.
How does the use of sound inform the mood of the scene, or the film overall?
The use of sound informs the mood of the different scenes in the film very effectively. The music will sound louder, more dramatic, and at a faster pace when there is action or pending problems and suspense. The music will be softer in tone and volume when playing in a slower, or more positive scene.
Can you identify specific sounds in your film that allow you to infer a particular genre?
There are many synchronous sounds such as characters walking in cowboy boots, spurs, horses feet on the ground, and the sounds of nature. These add to the realistic aspect of the film. Viewers expect horses, outdoors, and cowboys when watching a film in the western genre.
Since each category of sound may produce a range of effects, how might you characterize the effects in your film?
I would say that the characteristics of sound in this film are natural and expected. Most sounds are natural (boots on the ground, spurs jingling, leather creaking and horses hooves pounding the ground). There are also some effects that are exaggerated for dramatic effect (a gun being cocked to shoot, a gun being shot, or the background music being louder in an intense scene).
Assess how the scene or sequence would play differently if you changed or removed a key category of sound.
The viewers interpret sounds such as boots on the ground and horses hooves in the dirt subconsciously; however if these sounds were missing it would definitely take away the realistic feel of the movie. If there was some kind of rock or rap song, or even modern country song, playing as background music it would take away from the genre and theme of the old wild west. If there was no appropriate background music the audience may not be relaxed or in suspense at the correct moments in the film; thus changing the emotional experience.
This clip from the movie, entitled "Let's Go Home Debbie," depicts the use of sound in this movie well. There are intense moments and soft moments within the same clip and minimal dialogue for dramatic, emotional effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3a4zc-40I
Resources
Marshall, Jane Knowles. (n.d.). An Introduction to Film Sound. Retrieved from
http://filmsound.org/marshall/
Stephenaltobello. (2010, March, 20). Let's Go Home, Debbie [video file] Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3a4zc-40I
No comments:
Post a Comment