Task 3 and 4: Soundtrack for moving image

Task 2: Be able to record audio for moving image

Task 2. Be able to record audio for moving image

To equipment/software used and print screens of audio editing.

Our film comprises of standard video recording sound, using a mic.

·         The opening of our film is set outside, we wanted natural sound of the outdoors we used a boom and windbreaker to soften the sound and make it more clear. For the indoor location we used a standard boom mic to pick up sound as the Dslr’s sound would not be to full quality; these are

·         Microphones, we used a combination of a shotgun mic and a handheld recorder. We had the option of using a vocal microphone, shotgun mic and handheld recorder.

The vocal microphone is used in vocal performances, as the microphone needs to be as close to the source of sound as possible, it can reduce feedback which is vital for a live set with various sound systems and sound frequencies. It is a handheld mic or can be placed on a stand, this is not practical for film as you don’t want to see a microphone on set this would take away the professionalism and tone of the film. In addition it records onto a single file set.

 STE.wav is the separate sound file. It has been attached into the timeline to the right place for the film.

Shotgun Mic – The shotgun mic is purposeful to filming, it can be inserted on the top of the camera and therefore is not in shot, depending on what your source of sound is the mic would need to be adjusted for this. This was perfect for our shooting on location and in the TV Studio. The boom is used to extend capturing the sound, in shot it can be a great mistake from production crew so positioning is key. We placed ourselves to the left of the camera when filming on set, this changed as our locations varied but all locations remained inside so there was no need to change levels of input.

Handheld Recording device – I used this when recoding a voice over as it had to be a separate sound file in order to insert in edit. The recording device, has a microphone that picks up sound it records to a separate .WAV file, it is great for dialogue and almost always used in profession for recording meetings or voice. The voice over was needed to keep a flow of the film, it makes the audience more interested and can be used to express the mind of the character.

·         Connecting audio, we inserted headphones into the dslr in order to hear the sound we were picking up, this enabled us to change the input levels if needed. The way of connecting audio on a Dslr, is attaching the mic and selecting recording device on menu. Depending on location the levels would need to be adjusted, from mid to high is usually the requirements of keeping the sound consistent when in different locations.

·         Content, as a short feature film our film was largely dialogue, which is the reason we used a shotgun mic to record in the sound, as voices are on a lower frequency compared to sound system recording.

·         The Documentation and storage from our film was put straight onto the computer and editing software to keep files up to date and secure, it also gave us time to evaluate if shots or recordings need to be taken again. The documentation of our separate vocal files were put onto a hard drive in which were transferred to the edit. Logging sound files are important to know what sound there is and how much is left, this was a small production and therefore wasn’t that difficult but for huge blockbuster film productions sound is devoted to a team of specialists.

In premiere pro you create a library to store files.

  

Explain the following regulations.

 At the end of every film production is the post production this includes the assembling of the film but more so the legal side too.

·         Intellectual property is the protection for those who are creators, brands, designers and artists. It prevents copying and plagiarism.

Providing a license in which means there is a cost in order to showcase the work. Examples include using archive footage, sound and image. Our production used our own shots and remastered instrumentals of existing songs.

public domain if we were to contact promoters for our film we would need to copyright the name in order to completely officialise the whole film.

Licensed music and licensed SFX when licensing you are paying a fee with a percentage of royalties to the artist or specialists. For these two functions on our film it would mean getting the license before launching it, as cinema’s are licensed themselves for specific films and genres.

Mechanical Copyright these are Protection Society-Performing Rights Society Alliance (MCPS-PRS) for musicians who’s songs have been re written or manipulated for broadcasting use. In film, footage is the performing aspect in comparison to a musician; the soundtrack is the possession of the film therefore if the film is shown in the beginning weeks of launch it is protected and is paid by a percentage of box office sales. In future use this would be mechanical copyright for the film as it would need to be manipulated to preview on a tv or created into a DVD as the format is different. This would bring in a new set of royalties for the film production.

Use of Audio

The Sequence of our film consists of a variation of diegetic and non- diegetic sound, dialogue and music. 

The opening scene is a of queue establishing shots in which we have decided to keep the diegetic sound in to help the audience familiarise themselves with the scene in is an uncommon way to begin a film but it works well. Diegetic sound is used in the remainder of the film as we do not want to take away natural sound and replace it with unmatched sounds as it provides the reality.

Dialogue, the screenplay is made up of on screen dialogue. However I created my own voice over file which has been inserted into scenes to indicate to the audience a sense of self thoughts and also characters that are not on screen. The idea of using narration is a great way to speak over background soundscape to decrease noise or unsettling sound; it also indicates a sense of journey accompanied by POV walking shots.

Use of music in this film is related to the theme and culture represented by the characters, the choice of sound includes african drumming and an remastered afro-beats instrumental. The sound manipulates the atmosphere on screen and can really improve the film as a piece. Therefore timing of the music is also key when editing the shots, music can be used as the foundation for moving image. When the sound and footage works well the piece flows well thats why we inserted the music to indicate the opening of the film and to also add an uplifting mood. 

Sound Sequence for film

Unit 38 Soundtrack: Production for moving image.

Unit 38: Soundtrack

Moving image productions can be labelled anything from Film, animation, music videos and advertisement. Within these mediums a larger aspect is Sound.
 In film, soundtrack is almost as important as the acting presented on screen, the soundtrack is what ties together the emotions of the screenplay and the audience together, various films include soundtracks produced for the film or existing music. Cinema is one of the greatest ways of using a song or piece of music to its best ability to simply express every emotion present through a combination of diegetic and non- diegetic sound.

FILM

‘Selma’ – The film uses various music The Film is a chronicle of Martin Luther King's campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. 

The soundtrack in this film brings out the emotions of the march to the audience, the song titled‘Glory’ is the indigenous track of the film, created by Common and John Legend this song won an Oscar for best original song. This track begins with the iconic line by Martin Luther King ‘One Day’ from his ‘I have a dream’ speech. It represents the whole march through spoken word and a song structure over a simple 4 chord pattern of A,G,F,E,E,F

Although audio is not 100% of the time just music, in this part of the film audio from a radio station is used this is diegetic sound as the scene is from a car despite the raid not directly in frame. The use of radio audio enables the theme of 1960s America to bring cultural awareness also providing a feel to the audience, this is a archive audio technique. In adverts in television, music is also advertised in addition to the product for example, the sound is used to a psychological benefit on the idea of advertising as the music may be the memorable part of the advert.

TV: ‘Empire’

Empire is a series that is largely based on music, this series has a combination of diegetic and non-diegetic sound as is about actual music performances and production of music.
This program is based on the themes of Love, Jealousy,Money,  Passion, Power and loyalty; of which 3 make up the genre of drama. Therefore soundtrack is invaluable to this Television Series, encompassing emotions and aids the story telling.
In the episode ‘Et tu, brute?’ a Shakespeare saying meaning and you Brutus? Questioning ones loyalty.

The series has a combination of diegetic and non diegetic sound as is about actual music performances and production of music. However it also consists of non diegetic sound within the scene of Cookie and Lucious where he admits how he feels. The lighting is dark and warm with a soft focus on the pair, the colour provides the melancholy look of the scene and music to match. Without the music in this scene the story would be half told, it would of be less interesting and would really not exhibit the themes to its full advantage the relationship between the audio and image are usually linked most of often then not this use of audio is used for emotional effect. The tempo is very slow but consistent.

• –Handheld devices such as Phones, iPads and tablets. Applications such as YouTube is a great way of showing moving image such as animation.

YouTube Animated series ‘Ray&Clovis’ by animation production company TheoryAnimation. 

STAR BOARS

‘Star Boars’ – Episode 19.  This episode begins with the structure of a movie a mimic of ‘Fox Studios’ with the opening tune Fanfare composed by Alfred Newman. From the start there is a constant use of music the next scene is a parody of Star Wars which is what this whole episode is based on.

This image is where the beginning of this episode is and the current music in this is scene is a continuation of the Star Wars opening track. This introduces the film in a humorous way.
Music is still present but at a very low frequency and steady tempo.  There is a large roar from the crowd which helps to bring alive the scene and conventions of a cinema experience. The use of this steady and quiet music brings a feeling of foreboding as the sound is present but not at its peak meaning something is about to happen.

At this point there is a drum roll in the music providing that peak and then drops into a mysterious rhythm moving stepwise in notes each time; this in itself is funny as the character Ray is doing an interview with the crowd.

For this scene, violin triplets are played to suit this short scene of a ‘light sabre battle’ again mimicking Star Wars.