Sound Design
Goal: To create a complete, full, natural sound design for the video (only) portion of an existing foreign TV series. It must include the following Required Elements:
- Unexpected dialogue Try to create a scenario that is completely different than what you guess the original scenario was!
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Feedback:
Click here for the rubric I will use.
- Required Element Is Included
- (Great!) Unexpected new plot, fits just as well into what you think was the original plot.
- (Average) Not completely unexpected...might have components of what we think the original had.
- (Disappointing) Tried to replace the original missing dialogue and foley to match the original plot.
- Plot When you are asked, "What is your film about?", ideally, your answer will sound like "well, it starts off when..., then such and such happens, then surprisingly..., then unfortunately..., and then just when you think..., then that happens, and finally all is resolved when..." If it doesn't, then you might need to add some complexity to your plot to make it more interesting.
- (Great!) We can never quite predict what's about to happen, are continuously surprised by a character's actions, and by the plot outcome, but looking back we think, "Oh, it all makes sense now!" There are twists. Problems get resolved.
- (Average) Some things are predictable or unnecessary in the big picture, Characters' actions somewhat impact the "trajectory" of the story in interesting ways.
- (Disappointing) There is no plot. Stuff happens, like rolling a ball down a hill, and nothing is changing it's path. If there's a problem, it doesn't get resolved.
- Script/Direction This is about coming up with natural-sounding dialogue, then directing your actors to perform them with the correct INTONATION. Remember to consider that the vocabulary a character uses depends on her personality, etc.
- (Great!) Written and tested before given to actors for them to perform. Clearly written (typed) lines for the actor to read. Actors directed to speak clearly and with desired intonation. Character voices are DISTINCT from each other. Words match character personality.
- (Average) Written and mostly tested, but little direction given to actors regarding intonation. Not all character voices are distinct from others.
- (Disappointing) No script planning. Actors' time wasted on unusable takes, or use of poorly directed takes. Inappropriate inflection given to lines. Lines don't seem to match the way a particular character might talk.
- Dialogue Structure Focus on these: People normally overlap each other when talking--if the overlap is a lot, it becomes an interruption. They get louder or softer when naturally overlapping each other in order to exert or relinquish control over who needs to "have the floor".
- (Great!) Character dialogue spoken naturally, including overlaps/interrupts. Probably includes multicam conversations, OTS, etc. Well enunciated and sufficiently loud without noise. May include some ADR.
- (Average) Some of the above, but also some of the following:
- (Disappointing) Script calls for actors to take unnatural turns talking. Characters use words or expressions that seem unnatural for them.
- Foley Focus on these: The sounds are NECESSARY. Making the sounds CONVINCING. Including OFF-SCREEN sounds.
- (Great!) All NECESSARY sounds are CONVINCING, and are present even when the sound source is OFF-SCREEN..
- (Average) Some of the above, but also some of the following:
- (Disappointing) No sounds when needed. Sounds don't sound anything like they should. No off-screen sounds are heard.
- Scene Ambience Focus on these: ALL scenes will have an Ambience fill. EACH scene, from the beginning to the end of the film. *
- (Great!) Ambience is present throughout entire film. It matches the scene. Levels are perfect.
- (Average) Some of the above, but also some of the following:
- (Disappointing) Ambience either isn't present, doesn't match the scene, or is too loud or soft.
- Music/Musical Texture Remember what's available--for TEXTURE: The Youtube Audio Library "Ambient" and "Cinematic" genres are especially useful. For MUSIC, avoid putting your favorite song in just because its your favorite song.
- (Great!) Without being obtrusive, they build suspense and amplify, establish, or change the mood of the viewer,
- (Average) Some of the above, but also some of the following:
- (Disappointing) None where some could have been very effective in building suspense, a desired mood, or in painting a character or location.
- Relative Loudness of Elements Focus on these: Recording properly. Adjusting levels/Ducking as dictated by the action. An obvious example: approaching sound sources (like footsteps) get louder as they approach. Heavy items are louder than light objects that are dropped or placed.
- (Great!) Recording levels set correctly. Ducking is used. Levels change as people and other sound sources get closer to/farther from the camera
- (Average) Some thought given to levels depending on action.
- (Disappointing) Sounds recorded too low or high. No adjustments made for any reason once added to the project.
- Editing (the Sound) Focus on these: Precise timing of sounds. Precise length of sound. (Do not try to lip sync by writing script in an attempt to match lip movements!)
- (Great!) Timing is exquisite. Lengths are perfect. Hey wait...did you cheat somehow?
- (Average) Some of the above, but also some of the following:
- (Disappointing) Sounds or dialogue happen a little or a lot too early or late. Either the lips have stopped and the voice continues, or the lips are still moving, but the voice has stopped.
- Originality
- (Great!) We could never have imagined your new plot would fit the original video so well! The original director of the TV show would be amused and entertained!
- (Average) We've already seen the idea before but you've added an original, unexpected twist, or completely different outcome.
- (Disappointing) Your plot may not be far from what the original was. Nothing is unexpected. We would rather just watch the original show.
- Titles/Credits
- (Great!) Relevant, perhaps intriguing, "proper" amount of time, effective location.
- (Average) Just a title, not much more.
- (Disappointing) No title or irrelevant title.
- Video Editing (optional)
- (Great!) A lot of this: Pulled in scenes from everywhere in the original , perhaps even from other episodes. Video is edited to allow dialogue to extend.
- (Average) Some of the above.
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Schedule: The project will last 17 SCHOOL days.
A list of your tasks: (Items with an asterisk * need to be turned in for a grade)
- Determine general plot *
- Find a "beginning" and an "end" approximately 5 minutes apart from the source video.
- Write the script (preferably in celtx)
- Collect foley sounds from the field.
- Record character voices.
- Find existing useful audio clips from iMovie, Final Cut, and our 2500 Sounds libraries.
- Edit, edit, more edit. Then repeat last three steps.
- Titles/credits
- Bask in the Glory
You have through this day to work. The Premiere will be during the next (last) class period:
MAY 23
Resources for this project Click HERE for the General Resources page.
Foley
- This explains it
- And this
- Star Wars II
- The Hobbit
- Wall-E (part 1)
- Wall-E (part 2)
- For Quentin Tarantino fans
Examples of Musical Texture:
- Short clip from "The Shining" (Password: "for class") Read the description that accompanies the clip.
My test example that took all of 22 minutes to make here.
Remove those pesky titles or subtitles! Here. (Password: "for class")
Don't throw away that voiceover you think is worthless! Here. (Password: "for class")
*Want to discuss the RARE exceptions? See me!