Sound In Films- Research

What is dubbing?

Dubbing is when additional recordings are mixed with the original production sound to create the finished soundtrack.

At what stage is a film or programme dubbed?

Dubbing stage is usually a studio facility that looks like a combination movie theatre and recording studio engineering room. This is where the final decisions are executed with regard to the sonic elements of the film, and it occurs in a theatre-like environment to give the decision makers the best possible representation of how all the elements (audio and visual) are really working together in the context of how the film will be seen and heard.


Why might the diegetic sounds of say a party be faded down?

The diegetic sounds may be turned down in order to hear the added (non- diegetic) sounds of maybe a (narrator’s) commentary, sound effects which are added for the dramatic effect or mood music.  It may also be so that the dialogue of the people on screen can be heard, rather than the people in the background or the party music. Their conversation may be more important than the diegetic party sounds at this point.


What effect does a ‘mixed’ soundtrack have on the final product?

In sound recording and reproduction, mixing is the process of summing a multitrack recording down to mono, stereo, or surround sound print. Mixing methods include but are not limited to: setting levels, setting equalization, using stereo panning, and adding effects. Minor adjustments in the relationship among the various instruments within the song can have dramatic impacts on how the song affects the listeners. 

 

How is the sound physically controlled during the dubbing process?

The process usually takes place on a dub stage. After sound editors edit and prepare all necessary tracks (dialogue, automated dialogue replacement (ADR), effects, Foley, and music), the dubbing mixer or mixers proceed to balance all of the elements and record the finished soundtrack. Dubbing is sometimes confused with ADR, also known as "additional dialogue replacement", "additional dialogue recording", and "looping", in which the original actors re-record and synchronize audio segments.

 
What is the overall purpose of controlling the sound?

The purpose of sound control is stimulating reality, creating illusion and mood


Define each of the following or explain what they are how they are used and what they add to the screen:

 
Fade up / fade down / fade in / fade out:

It is a film-making and broadcasting technique where the volume of sound is gradually increased from zero to full volume or the other way around.  It is used to change the mood of a scene or to enhance another piece of dialogue or sound but is used to make the scene more realistic.


Pitch – in voices and in music:

The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.

Timbre – what is it and how can it affect listeners? Give examples:

The character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity.


Acoustic – what is it, what effect do different acoustics have?

Not having electrical amplification or the properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it. This can make the sound louder and purer depending on the depth of the room and the material the room or instrument is made of.


Perspective – what does sound perspective tell us about the environment?

A sound’s position in space as perceived by the viewer given by volume, timbre, and pitch. This can make the audience seem as if they are involved with the scene and the sound surrounds them to make them welcomed into the world of the film


In ‘Sound Effects - Aiding continuity’ how can a jump cut become invisible?

It could become invisible by adding sounds: diegetic or non- diegetic between scenes or transitions. If the sound is continuous, the cut becomes invisible.

 
In ‘Sound Effects – Establishing mood’ how can sound affect the emotional mood of the scene?

Sounds effects help create a more realistic mood of the film, whether it’s a positive or negative mood. In order to create an impact on the audience, sound effects are added to the mood to make it as natural as it can be.