Grace Bundy
Audio Production
Once we had recorded all the different sounds I then edited them using Adobe Audition. I edited the clips down so that just the sounds were there, by highlighting all the parts I didn't wan't and then I deleted it.
I then went onto mutlitrack so that I could mix the clips together. I then added some of the different audio recordings in and played around with the different effects. I was able to speed some of the clips up, make the pitch higher or lower and overlapping the clips. I used the same clips multiple times to create a continuous sound. The last screenshot is what my final audio that I created.
Foley
Foley is the sound effects used in movies, they are created using other instruments in a studio that has lots of different instruments and equipments so that you can create a specific sound. When it is then used in the movie you are unable to tell that it is a sound effect, but without it there it wouldn't be as effective. After looking in foley I then looked at different clips to see how sound effects are used in films. An example that I learnt about is walking on sand is actually used for walking on snow.
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The Maker
Describe the animated short film the maker. What is the narrative?
It is a rabbit like creature that creates a friends, and when his time is up he disappears and his friend comes to life and then creates another friend.
What techniques have been used in making the film?
This short film has been made by the use of stop motion which is a series of very short clips and in each clip the characters have been moved a small amount and during the clips they are still. In the following clips they would have continued to move slightly so when it is played it looks like a continuous motion.
Who do you think the film is aimed at?
The film is aimed the younger generation, around 10 years old and above as it is animation and has a basic storyline. The sounds are also very clear and simple which helps children to understand the story.
How long does the film last? How long will the soundtrack need to last?
The film is 5 minutes 30 seconds and the soundtrack but I will only do a 30 second part of it and create lots of different sounds for this section.
If you wish to add music, how can you approach this in terms of copyright?
When you use music you have to make sure that you reference what the it is and the artist.
How will you plan the project?
I will listen to the video and write down all the different sounds that I think are needed to create the video. I will decide what genre I will want which then depends on the sounds that I create. I will make mind maps with my ideas of sounds and tables to clearly explain how I will create these sounds. I will also do a questionnaire to get feedback on my ideas and to see how it can be improved.
What research will you complete to support the project?
I will do primary and secondary research on the maker to see how it was created and to help to see what sounds they have used.
What are the pros and cons of each type of research?
Creating a questionnaire is good to see how you can improve your idea. Creating a questionnaire could take a lot of time and might be better to get verbal feedback instead. Watching the video yourself could influence your ideas and might be better to not listen to the sounds.
What equipment will you use in recording and editing audio?
I will use the sound recording device to record the sounds and then I will you Adobe audition to edit the sounds over the video.
What problems might you have in recording and editing the sounds for the video?
Depending on the weather and other sounds in the area it will effect the outcome of the recording.
Existing animations- Alice and The pearce sisters
I did research into different animations so that I could get some ideas and inspiration for my own sounds. The first animation that I watched was alice by Jan svankmajer. This is the story of alice in wonderland but shown as a stop motion. Initially I thought that it was a baby crying by the sounds used, but then it was revealed that it was a pig. They used the sounds of horses but it was actually a bird so by the use of foley it made us think that it was a horse. They have used lots of sounds like opening and closing doors, throwing pots and pans, the sound of someone swimming through water, whistle sounds, and cracking egg sounds. I found it interesting that by the use of sounds it made me think of something but then it was actually something else and without the sound you wouldn’t have thought that it was something else.
I then looked at The Pearce Sisters by Aardman animation. It looks like it was hand drawn images that has been made into a short film animation. Looks of sound effects of the weather is used and you can hear the birds in the sky but not see them, which is interesting that by the sounds they use we assume that their are birds in the sky.
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Planning
1.30- 1.34 stuffing the toy
1.35- stretching the stuffing out
1.36- 1.37 stuffing the toy
1.38- 1.39- sewing the toy together
1.40
1.41-1.42- putting head in cold water
1.43- putting down the head
1.44- opening the draw
1.45
1.46- sticking the eyes on
1.47
1.48
1.49
1.50
1.51- 1.53- salt dropping timer
1.54
1.55- blinking
1.56
1.57
1.58
1.59- dropped the hand
2.0
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We went out and recorded some sounds to see how they would turn out. When stuffing the toy I scrunched up some paper, and in the future I will recording scrunching up a plastic bag to get a different texture.
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When sewing the toy together I ripped a piece of paper which I will make more quiet and subtle to give a more realistic effect.
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For putting the head on the table I knocked on a table. I will have to edit this to make it sound better.
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For the salt timer I rubbed my hand across the paper, however from listening to this I will have to try a different technique as I didn't have the effect that I wanted. I decided to use two different materials to create the same sound to see which one worked best or if I should incorporate them both.
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I dragged a water bottle across the desk to get the effect of opening the drawers. I think that it sounds quite similar and when it is played at the same time as the video it will sound and look good.
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I recorded a popping noise which I created myself. I think that the sound came out well and will be useful in my editing of the video.
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Feedback-
After speaking to other people, I got some feedback about the sounds that I created. They said that the sounds are a good start, but that I need to do a lot of editing to get the sound to match the action.
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I started editing the sounds using premiere pro. I cut the full clip down to the length that I wanted it to be, which was roughly 30 seconds. Using my plan I knew at what time I needed to have the different sounds. I cut the clips down to the length I needed them and tried to match them up to the actions on the screen perfectly. After doing this to all the actions and the sounds that I had created I added some background music. I used music from the film Inception and chose the best part of the song that I thought matched with the film. I then made the sound effects quieter, so that it seemed more natural and realistic and so that you can hear the background music clearly. As shown in the image I was able to control how loud I want it.
The maker evaluation
This is my final piece. I think that I have successfully completed the task as I have created my own sound effects using materials like paper and rubbing materials to get the sound as similar as to what I wanted. I was able to edit them over the top of the film and made the timings accurate so that it seems realistic. I did lots of planning which helped me through out the process. I was able to look back to remind myself what sounds I wanted to use and when. I like the range of sounds that I created and how I have focused a lot on the less noticeable sounds like the blinking of the eyes. Another positive is that the sounds that I created were not from the object itself but ones that I created. I used basic materials to do so which I think shows my creativity. I think that I could have made edited the sounds in adobe audition, however I felt more comfortable and knowledgable using premiere pro. I would like to learn more about audition and have more practice before I used it, but I could have changed the sounds slightly to make it better.
Historical Research
I did some research into the history of animation sound. Looking into the past of animation of sound helped me to have a better understanding of how it has evolved. I was very interested in the different techniques that were used and are continued to be used now. By doing this research helped me with my own work as I was able to see what type of approach I wanted to make to my own work. Watching clips and reading about sound editors helped me to understand the different approaches to sound that there are.
•Unit 5 Audio: Peer critique questions to use with a partner:
•How effectively have they used planning for making their sounds?
They have done very effective planning and have made it very detailed so they knew exactly where to start from.
•Comment on:
•Techniques they used in planning the project: this should include either storyboarding with drawings/screenshots, or mind mapping, or a planning grid:
They made a detailed table with many different ideas, and they also planned out where they were going to put each sound effect.
•planning the techniques for making Foley:
They used the table to comment on how they will create the sounds.
•locations they want to use with explanation of suitability
They used the refectory because there was access to many different materials.
•explaining sounds they intend to make for specified action in the film
They explained they used with detail to show how it fit in the specified part.
•How effectively does their soundtrack enhance the animation? What new elements does it bring to the film’s interpretation?
The soundtrack they used was very effective because it added a lot of dramatic effect to the story.
•How precisely have they timed the use of Foley? Give examples.
The timing was very precise, for example, they used sound effects for when the rabbit blinked.
•Have they used music? Comment on the suitability; what does the music add to the film?
Yes they have used suitable music which adds dramatic effect.
•What has worked well so far?
It enraptures the viewer and makes them more engaged with the film.
•What is the weakest element?
There isn’t a weakest element.
•What can you suggest that would improve their soundtrack so far?
By adding more of a variety of sounds.
Self Evaluation Guide:
•How effectively have you used planning for making your sounds?
•I think that I did lots of planning for the sounds by creating a planning grid. This was useful and effective to do so that I was able to see what ideas I had and what I wanted to do and so that it could help me to create the sounds themselves.
•Comment on:
•Explain the techniques you used in planning the project: this should include either storyboarding with drawings/screenshots, or mindmapping, or a planning grid.
•I used a planning grid which I thought was helpful because I was able to see what sound I wanted to make, and how I intended to create it.
•locations you aimed to use with an explanation of suitability
•The sounds that I created it didn’t matter the location of recording as I was creating the sound myself so the only thing important was that it was quiet so the sound could be as clear as possible.
•Explain the sounds you aimed to make for specified actions in the film
•I intended to make lots of crunching and ripping noises for stretching out the cotton. Also, the sound of rubbing materials together for the sewing part. This is only a few of the ideas that I had for creating sounds.
•How effectively does their soundtrack enhance the animation? What new elements does it bring to the film’s interpretation?
•I think that the soundtrack enhances the animation effectively because it gives it a realistic feel.
•How precisely have you timed the use of foley in your edit? Give examples.
•The timings are good, as the action lines up to sound perfectly. This gives it an effect that the sounds are real rather than being added over the top.
•Have you used music? What does the music add to the film?
•I did use music, it makes the film more interesting and helps the other sounds to blend in more. If the music was not their I think that it would be quite boring and wouldn’t give the same effect.
•How effectively did you use peer feedback? Give examples:
•After reading the peer feedback I was able to see the positives and negatives of my soundtrack. I could have paid more attention to this so that I could improve my work. As she said that I could have more variety of sounds. I don’t think that I used this feedback effectively as I had already finished my final piece but I will make sure that I keep this in mind for my next sound project.
•What has worked well so far?
•I like that I have focused on some of the sounds that are less noticeable like the sound of blinking. It shows that I have a good attention to detail and makes the film more interesting.
•What is the weakest element?
•I think the weakest element was that some of the sounds didn’t match the action as well as I wanted. I would want to edit them more in adobe audition
•What can you suggest that would improve the soundtrack?
•I think that I could have changed the volume of the sounds so that it fitted with the film more. I could have also edited the sounds so that they were more realistic.