Common Audio Issues

 What are three common issues you might encounter editing your audio?  How could these be fixed?

Some common issues you might encounter editing, could be unwanted background noise, unwanted mouth sounds, and inconsistent levels. Background noise is unfortunately common, and frequent. When you don't have an option to reshoot, you'll have to fix the noise in post production. You could use a noise reduction program to help with this, such as RX. RX also has a de-hum function. This can help de-buzz your audio if you had a buzz due to cables. RX also has a function to help with mouth sounds! If your levels are consistent, don't worry, this is pretty normal if you're shooting multiple takes. Adobe Premiere has two different options for this. You can set a max gain, or normalize all the peaks. Whichever you chose, it'll help maintain level consistency. 

How to Edit Audio

 Summarize the steps in editing your audio for video.  Why are they each important?

The order in which you edit is very crucial to remember as it'll keep you organized.

1. File Management
    This is important so you don't lose any footage, and so you know where everything is

2. Synching Your Audio
    This is the next step so you'll be ready to add all the SFX after

3. Dialogue Editing and ADR
    Make sure you finish doing all your synching before you decide on doing ADR. This can save you a lot of time

4. Sound Design FX/Foley

5. Background Music
    Only do this at the end, to add a theme to your cut. 

Weird Al VS Culio's Gangsters

 Compare and contrast Amish Paradise with Culio's Gangsters Paradise video.  What is Wierd Al making a parody of in this playful video?  What kind of mood are the filmmakers and Wierd Al creating in the video?  What are 3 techniques that you noticed they used to create this Parody?  Use what you've already learned so far in the class to craft your response.

Something I saw that was really interesting, is that the shots were almost identical. At 0:45, the shots were recreated. This was done with the use of lighting, location, and shots used. I noticed that Weird Al recreated the lighting the same way that Culio Gangster did. The use of location also helped with the parody. The fact that the setting was on a ranch helped with the parody. Whenever shots were recreated, the lighting was similar to bring the parody back to the original video. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers Music Video

What are the artists in this video creating a parody of?  What kind of mood did the filmmakers and the artists create in this video?  What are 3 techniques that you noticed they used to create this mood?  Use what you've already learned so far in the class to craft your response.

Costumes are a big part of this music video. Different costumes can create a different mood in the video. I noticed that with each costume change there was also different makeup to go with the costume, which pulled the performers look together, and impacted the mood. I saw there were a lot of "messy" makeup and costume looks. Tight clothing with lots of hanging pieces were also worn to help show this mood. Lighting was also used to make the performers look like they were performing at a concert, and add to a grunge/messy look, as there was a lot going on. The camera was also angled below the performers, dutched, or it was placed close to their faces, while they danced and sang. 

Lucas Film

 After hearing James Tooley speak at Lucasfilm, what insight or piece of advice from his experience in filmmaking and visual storytelling stood out to you the most?

What really stood out to me, was how he has a passion, and he completely followed it. He applied to all the schools and jobs, and it all seemed to work out for him. Im curious to see if he thinks he had any "failures" because he made it seem like there weren't any. Listening to him talk was very inspirational. 

Moods in Music Videos

 What kind of mood do the filmmakers create in this video?  What are 3 techniques that they use to create this mood?

I noticed that the mood throughout the music video was a bit strange. It was slightly off-putting. I noticed that to create this mood, the filmmakers included facial distortion effects, dutch angles, and the use of green screen to create the fake and flat backgrounds. 

Music Video Themes

 What is the theme of this music video?  What kind of techniques are they using to convey it?

I notices a theme of the music video is going back in time. This corresponds with the lyrics, "Tell me your secrets and ask me your questions; Oh, let's go back to the start." The lyrics are talking about going back to the start, while the artist's actions are all played in reverse. This is a theme that's shown all throughout the video, as when the artist is lip syncing, it's played in reverse. 

Moods in Music Videos

 What kind of mood do the filmmakers create in this video?  What are 3 techniques that they use to create this mood?

The use of locations, costumes, and dance choreography helps to establish a laid back mood. The locations being in an empty city area, in addition to the baggy costumes established this easygoing mood. There was also on-beat "bouncing" choreography, and with the song being on the slower side, it helped establish it. 

Moods in Music Videos

What kind of mood did the filmmakers and the artists create in this video?  What are 3 techniques that you noticed they used to create this mood?  Use what you've already learned so far in the class to craft your response.

The filmmakers created a fast and hectic, humorous mood in the music video. This is firstly because of the fast editing. The editor cut each scene quickly to quicken up the pace. Another thing that added to the mood, were the costumes. The look of the wigs and the fake mustaches added a humorous touch to the video. They also had some funny zoom-in scenes that helped the mood.

Music Rights

 Summarize the differences between sync, dubbing, mechanical and performance music rights.  How do you get them cleared?

Sync rights are rights where you cover the composition and lyrics of the song or piece of music. Dubbing rights cover the actual recorded version of the piece. Mechanical rights are important if you plan to duplicate your production, like on DVD. Performance rights are if you want your production to be broadcasted on TV. You can get these cleared by contacting the publisher and the record label.

Music in Trailers

 What does the music add to the experience? How does music change your perception of the story and images on screen?

The music charges the feel of the trailer completely. Without the music we're simply watching events unfold. The music gives urgency and gives us a theme. I find that the music in a trailer or scene is like the tone of the storyteller's voice. The music will change our perception of what happens on screen and gives us a mood to feel.

Ironman Without Music

 Without music, how does the scene feel to you?  Why?  What aspects seem missing?  How do you think having music change this scene?

The scene just feels so empty without music. The emotional aspect is missing. Without music, I'm not too sure what emotion to feel. I'm just watching events unfold, and it feels like a stone-cold story. A story with no emotion and personality. 

Before and After SFX

 Use what you've learned about sound in the keynotes and readings.  Describe 3 things that you notice about the before and after sound effects mix vs. the final mix.  How are they different?  How would you describe each of the differences?

I noticed that even though a lot of the sounds were modified and warped, they seemed to add more realism, even though they were modified. Most sounds were modified to have more emotion and hit better on the screen. I noticed the volume was different, as well as the pitch too. Every movement, noise and action was enhanced and changed to sound more intense and fit in with the mood of the scene.

Sound Design

 What are three interesting things that you learned from this video? How could you begin to start thinking about sound design in future video projects?

 Using synthesized sounds might make your sounds sound fake, and won't give a raw, real interpretation of the sound. You can also combine sounds in layers. It's beneficial to find sounds in libraries, and you can use certain sounds from libraries, and use them as other things. You can use your mouth to make sounds, and then remix them. 

Sound Effects

 What is the foley artists' role in crafting sound effects? Explain in detail three different things that you learned in this video and how they affect the final film.

Foley is an art in which the sound artist will recreate the sounds we see on the screen in post. This role is really important, because it adds realism back into the film. They add certain sounds back in after filming. They'll add sounds in that the characters interact with. For example, the rustling of clothes, or footsteps in the snow. What always surprises me, is how realistic the artists are able to make things sound. I'm also always impressed by how creative the artists are with what items they use to make certain sounds. I learned that there are usually three people working in the room. One woman, one man, and a recorder. I actually would've thought there would've been more people to do all of the sounds in a movie. 

Realistic Dialogue

 What does this essay have to say about realistic dialog?  Do you think dialog in films should sound realistic or not?  Why?

What's so special about film and it's dialogue that's so different than other pieces of media, is that film shows a natural rhythm and tone of a conversation. In books for example, you can't overlap words and phrases, and replicate people talking over each other realistically. I think dialogue sounding realistic in film is important, since it truly immerses the audience, because it's realistic. It's not obvious that there's a script if dialogue is natural and realistic. 

Categories of Sound

 What are each of the different categories of sound that are explained? In detail, explain the role of each of these categories of sound in film and how they enhance the story.

Although film is usually understood as a visual experience, sound is a huge element in how we perceive the films we watch. Dialogue, sound effects, and music are the three categories of sound. Dialogue brings the characters to life. When the dialogue fits the performer, a whole new persona emerges. The viewer will interpret this character as a real world person. Sound effects will add realism to the film. Synchronous sounds are sounds that'll help create a particular atmosphere. Audience members will expect to hear a sound when a door shuts, so it's important to add sounds like this in. Asynchronous sound effects aren't matched with visible sources on screen. These sounds are added to help create an emotional nuance. For example, a film maker may include the sound of a siren in the background of a couple arguing. This asynchronous addition may underscore the pain of the relationship. Background music is used to add emotion to the film. It might help the viewer understand the linking of scenes, and a theme. Sound effects are usually only noted by our subconscious minds. But, music will be heard by the audience, and it'll aid their perception and mood of the scene.