How sound (and the technology behind it) can set the tone and enhance emotions in film and TV
09/05/2024
By Contributor
Published: May 9, 2024
Sefi Carmel, CEO and founder of SphereTrax, talks about the importance of the soundscape in delivering a truly immersive experience
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Sefi Carmel, CEO and founder of SphereTrax, talks about the importance of the soundscape in delivering a truly immersive experience
https://www.tvbeurope.com/features/how-sound-and-the-technology-behind-it-can-set-the-tone-and-enhance-emotions-in-film-and-tv title=Share via Email class=share-email>
Crafting the perfect soundscape is fundamental to good storytelling in film. Get it right and your audience will find themselves drawn into the narrative, immersed into the story you are telling. Get it wrong, and your audience will snap out of that revelry in the blink of an eye. But what separates the good from the bad? And what exactly is a soundscape anyway? Let me explain.
If you look around, you'll likely find many different definitions for what a soundscape is. Some (incorrectly) suggest it to be merely musical in nature, but this isn't the case. One of the better definitions I've seen is this:
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment.
In summary, it's the sounds that make up the world around us. In everyday life these sounds are all around us the wind in the trees, the cars driving by but in film, these sounds have to be meticulously crafted for each scene, to bring the listener into this artificial environment and make them feel like they're really there.
SphereTrax founder and CEO, Sefi Carmel But why is this so important? Do we really notice these subtleties when we're watching something? As it turns out, yes, we do. And it's just who we are as humans. Throughout our evolution, the ability to detect sounds played a pivotal role in survival. If we think of the traditional cavemen, you can imagine how important it was for them to be able to hear approaching predators if you didn't spot them coming, you'd be ending up as dinner. Since then, it's been pretty much hard-wired into us to always be listening, just in case a sabre-toothed tiger happens to be passing by.
Of course, it isn't solely down to the fear of being eaten. Even in today's world we remain vigilant to loud or unexpected sounds, which startle us so that we can quickly respond to any threats. Sound also helps us navigate the world around us marking the presence of other people, vehicles and objects. Not to mention that communicating through speech is fundamental to our lives. All that being said we are very sensitive to sound, and its meanings. Which is something that can be exploited very effectively when crafting soundscapes.
There are a tonne of examples of great soundscapes that successfully immerse their audience in the story. When thinking about the ideas I touched on earlier about how we are vigilant to sounds that might indicate threat, I think an interesting example is the sound design in A Quiet Place. For those unfamiliar, the film features a post-apocalyptic world which has been invaded by blind extra-terrestrial creatures with exceptional hearing. Thus, any character that hopes to live past lunchtime has to be pretty good at not making any noise. This makes for an interesting soundscape, as the usual prominent dialogues and sound design are replaced with a generally sparse and quiet soundscape. In this case, it places you within a space that's devoid of the usual sounds of human daily life, and instead features only subtle rustlings, a gentle breeze, and the buzz of insects, to make you feel like you are truly a part of this post-apocalyptic world.
Sound designers have been creating cleverly crafted film soundscapes for decades, and as time goes on new technologies have enabled them to continue to improve the immersive experience. One such advancement is in the use of spatial audio. Where films began in mono, they evolved over time to use more channels, with todays latest innovation being Dolby Atmos a system that allows you to place sounds more dynamically, opening up the horizontal plane so you can have sounds above the listener. Clearly the use of this lends itself very well to helping immerse the audience into the story you are telling, as they can feel completely surrounded by the soundscape that has been created. This is something that is becoming increasingly popular in the world of music too, with innovative companies like Spheretrax offering their music in Dolby Atmos to meet the needs of film producers, ad agencies and gaming companies for immersive music for their content.
Spatial audio isn't just evolving in film either. In the world of gaming, a lot of recent releases have chosen to mix their games in Dolby Atmos, meaning that players using headphones can benefit from a binaural experience that gives the illusion of 3-dimensional sound. Once again, it comes down to immersing the player into the environment with a soundscape that surrounds them, bringing them closer to the game they are playing. When combined with virtual reality technology, the effect can be quite stunning.
The rollout of Dolby Atmos technologies is still an ongoing process, but it is likely that the future will see more screens and theatres around the world embracing it, as the benefits for the audience are apparent. Meanwhile, sound designers continue to find their own ways of breaking the mould. Check out The Sound Of Metal for a great example of an effective soundscape the film follows the life of a drummer who begins losing his hearing, and the sound design mimics the feeling of this very closely, letting you really fe
LINK: | https://www.tvbeurope.com/features/how-sound-and-the-technology-behind... |
See more stories from tvb |
More from TVB Europe
31/10/2024
ENVY Captures new recruits
According to the company, the increase in headcount means it can take on simultaneous projects as well as scale up its rigs and workflows By Jenny Priestley ...
31/10/2024
UK creative industry Autumn Budget response not only welcome, but essential to support sector'
Figures from across the industry have been broadly supportive of the Chancellors...
31/10/2024
NDI opens Portuguese innovation hub
The company said it expects to see an increase in its local workforce over the next few years to support growing demands By Jenny Priestley Published: Octobe...
30/10/2024
Creative industries react to Budget Statement
Figures from across the industry have been broadly supportive of the Chancellors announcement By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 30, 2024 Figures from...
30/10/2024
Canon debuts new immersive video lens
The company has also announced a new RF lens for sport, wildlife and news video By Jenny Priestley Published: October 30, 2024 Updated: October 31, 2024 ...
30/10/2024
AIMS confirms board members for 2024-2025
Steve Reynolds (Imagine Communications) has been re-elected as chairman of the board By Jenny Priestley Published: October 30, 2024 Steve Reynolds (Imagin...
30/10/2024
Budget 2024: UK Chancellor outlines plans for creative industries
The Chancellor has delivered the new governments first budget pledging a tax relief package for the creative industries By Matthew Corrigan Published: Octobe...
29/10/2024
Survive to '25? Survey finds UK producers think TV and film industry will grow in 2025
Producers have called on the government to explore poilcy reforms such as R&D bu...
29/10/2024
Vivendi's plan to spin-off Canal+ moves closer following board approval
Once approved by shareholders, Canal is expected to launch on the London Stock Exchange on 16th December By Jenny Priestley Published: October 29, 2024 Up...
28/10/2024
New film studio plans to build on-site data centre
Planning permission for the full eight-stage studio is pending a section 106 legal agreement, which would see the developer reduce the studios impact on the com...
28/10/2024
Liquidators of collapsed OB company sue Lloyds Bank
The liquidators of Sentinel Broadcast have launch a commercial fraud case against Lloyds By Jenny Priestley Published: October 28, 2024 Updated: October 30...
25/10/2024
Brighter Eyes
Jenny Priestley talks to the BFI's Douglas Weir who oversaw the restoration of a much-loved animated classic, which returns to UK and Ireland cinemas today ...
24/10/2024
Technicolor in talks over sale'
According to a report, following a move towards growth, Technicolor has opened talks with potential buyers as shareholders are assessing its long-term future B...
24/10/2024
Meet the VP, business strategy and partnerships
Orfiums Mark Vermaat, VP business strategy and partnerships, tells TVBEurope why remaining curious and challenging the status quo is vital in a career in the me...
23/10/2024
How to stay on budget and increase ROI with IP video distribution
Cost-efficiency and ROI are front of mind for media business and technology leaders across Europe - LTN shares insight and case studies on cost-effective growth...
23/10/2024
Starz shines light on English-to-Spanish captioning with help from Interra Systems
The company is employing the newest version of BATON Captions from Interra to de...
23/10/2024
Innovation through experimentation: IBC launches 2025 Accelerator programme
Mark Smith, head of the Accelerator programme, tells TVBEurope it is about understanding what challenges technology buyers want to solve, and what is coming nex...
22/10/2024
Broadcast Solutions aims to drive innovation with new CTO Office
The CTO Office has been tasked with the gradual introduction and integration of new technologies to improve the efficiency, reach and quality of media productio...
21/10/2024
Vanessa Walmsley new CCO at Vizrt
The appointment aims to further align the companys commercial teams, delivering greater value to customers, end users and partners, said Vizrt By Matthew Corri...
18/10/2024
Researchers develop real-time motion capture mobile device app
MobilePoser aims to democratise motion capture, making immersive experiences more accessible By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 18, 2024 MobilePoser a...
18/10/2024
Mo-Sys responds to collapse of Plumstead Power Station deal
The company said it was surprised and disappointed to learn of Greenwich Councils decision By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 18, 2024 Updated: October...
17/10/2024
Opinion: The transformative impact of remote production and cloud migration on the media industry
John Wastcoat, SVP business development and marketing at Zixi, highlights how me...
17/10/2024
How cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos captured the colour of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Zambarloukos details the cameras and lenses he used to capture Tim Burtons spook...
17/10/2024
EMG/Gravity Media names Eamonn Curtin as chief commercial officer
He takes up the role immediately, having spent the past 10 years as global client director at EMG/Gravity Media By Jenny Priestley Published: October 17, 202...
17/10/2024
Council pulls plug on Mo-Sys Plumstead Power Station deal
Mo-Sys planned to refurbish the Grade II listed site, opening eight studio stages By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 17, 2024 Updated: October 18, 2024...
16/10/2024
ARRI launches 14-strong Ens Prime lens range
Ens lenses feature a magnification ratio of 1:4 on most focal lengths, equivalent to 10 close focus on the 32mm, which, said the company, is only 3.7 from the ...
15/10/2024
Making the dragons fly
Martin Pelletier, visual effects supervisor at Rodeo FX, explains how House of the Dragon's fantastic flying beasts are able to take to the air By Matthew ...
15/10/2024
Adobe adds Gen AI video extension capabilities to Premiere Pro
The company has also unveiled updates to Frame.io and plans to help 30 million people develop AI literacy and content creation skills by 2030 By Jenny Priestle...
15/10/2024
Watch: What caught our AI at IBC
Watch a panel featuring TVBEuropes content director Jenny Priestley discuss some of the biggest talking points from IBC2024 By TVBEurope Staff Published: Oct...
15/10/2024
Ofcom extends Channel 4's licence for a further decade
The new licence is designed to support Channel 4's digital content and distribution strategy, while safeguarding its investment in UK content, said Ofcom B...
14/10/2024
UK creative industries named as growth driver' in government's Industrial Strategy
A green paper published today outlines the governments aim to attract investment...
11/10/2024
Watch: Oscar-winner Edward Berger discusses new film shot in Apple Immersive Video
Apple Immersive Video leverages ultra-high-resolution 3D video and Spatial Audio...
10/10/2024
Real SFX opens at Bottle Yard, wins green business award
The special effects company joins more than 15 businesses based at the Bristol creative hub By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 10, 2024 The special ef...
10/10/2024
How BBC Studioworks built a flyaway kit for It Takes Two
TVBEurope talks to the team at BBC Studioworks about the technology included in a new flyaway kit for BBC Twos Strictly Come Dancing spin-off, It Takes Two By ...
10/10/2024
SMPTE appoints Sally-Ann D'Amato as interim executive director
DAmato joined SMPTE in 2001, rising to become director of events and governance liaison in 2016 By Jenny Priestley Published: October 10, 2024 Updated: Oct...
10/10/2024
Pixel Power expands software-defined media product portfolio
The company, which is now being led by Thorsten Sauer, has taken over management of networked multiviewer and monitoring platform R&S Prismon By Jenny Priestle...
09/10/2024
Pinewood Studios to open new Indie Film Hub in 2025
The hub will provide filmmakers with access to the Pinewood Studios ecosystem from camera hire to drone photography and post production By Jenny Priestley Pu...
09/10/2024
SMPTE awards Marina Kalkanis Presidential Proclamation
The award was established in 1982 and recognises individuals of established and outstanding status and reputation in the motion picture and television industrie...
09/10/2024
TVBEurope October/November 2024 issue out now
The latest issue includes features on the US presidential election, IBC2024 Best of Show Awards winners and tackling the industry skills gap By Matthew Corriga...
09/10/2024
Government inquiry for Marlow Film Studios
The company remains confident in the strength of its case, which, it said, includes significant investment benefits to the local and national economy By Matth...
08/10/2024
Avid acquires Wolftech to transform newsroom workflows
The strategic acquisition aims to enable users to leverage emerging technologies to build and evolve modular workflows, from lens to edit and beyond, said Avid ...
08/10/2024
Arjan van Westerloo appointed president of new NEP European cluster
The role follows a reorganisation of NEP Groups European business structure By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 8, 2024 Updated: October 9, 2024 The...
07/10/2024
Meta unveils tool that creates 16 seconds of AI-generated video
Movie Gen has four capabilities: video generation, personalised video generation, precise video editing, and audio generation By Jenny Priestley Published: O...
07/10/2024
Rotolight enters administration amid hopes brand can continue
The family-run business has supplied lighting for numerous feature films and TV series By Matthew Corrigan Published: October 7, 2024 Updated: October 8, 2...
04/10/2024
BBC Coronation coverage nominated for Tech Emmy
The nominees for the new Excellence in Production Technology are Christmas at Graceland, The Coronation of H.M. King Charles III and The Santa Clauses By Jenny...
04/10/2024
Meet the motion capture technology co-programme leader
Connell Pavey, co-programme leader for the University of Salford's new course in motion capture technology tells TVBEurope how his passion for creativity le...
03/10/2024
Lawo unveils latest addition to HOME app family
Its feature set is closer to what a vision mixer provides than to what operators traditionally expect from a downstream keying function, said the company By Ma...
02/10/2024
Hollywood of the north' finally gets greenlight
The Littlewoods Building transformation will include two film studios as well as office and workshop spaces By Jenny Priestley Published: October 2, 2024 U...
02/10/2024
EVS completes MOG Technologies acquisition
The acquisition will deliver strategic benefits, such as expanded product and solution offerings, an increase in EVS R&D centres, and broader support services ...
02/10/2024
Survey finds worsening mental health in film and TV industry
Releasing the data, the Film and TV Charity also announced plans to develop pan-industry mental health standards ahead of a revamp of its Whole Picture Toolkit ...