Maps & Journeys #2

Maps & Journeys approach (Sound Installation)

We recently received feedback from Rosie explaining the idea was good and had potential but seemed as if it was moulding into a rather narrative piece insteaded of experimental, so now consisting of three members in the group we took a step back and tried to explore areas of the idea that showcased an experimental approach. In all we decided to step away from the documentary idea and indulge ourselves an installation soundscape which was a former idea of a member within the group had previously.

The initial idea came from the the movie monster inc, which used door that once you opened took you took another environment. So elements of this was used for the new idea in hand and some how translated into an installation piece. The plan is to use four doors that represent different environments created through foley sounds in the mixing room. which would then be played once you have walked through 1 of the 4 doors via an automated door switch or sensor.

Creating an actual atmosphere for the sounds to be heard meant that a small four  door wall  would have to be created, so it feeling that you have stepped into a new space once walking through the door.  

This will be the room used for the installation piece

Sensor to trigger sound 

Professional Toolkit Sound Workshop #2

New Foley Sound attempts

I have recently recorded new foley sounds for the project and feel that the sounds I have gathered complement the dialog better. Found a video on Youtube where a man shows examples of creating sounds to a horror slash film. When examining the different sounds used in the video i selected the ones that suited my sound piece best. When creating the sounds for the piece I mad the decision to use one to three sounds that would occur regularly throughout the piece, which consisted of footsteps, knife sharpener and closing of a window.

When the time came to create the voice over i was not sure how to approach it, especially when deciding to record the voice with an american accent or english. Eventually i came to a decision after recording two version with the different accent and thought it was sound and feel better with my natural voice. Whilst reading recording lines i found it hard to go through the whole scene without breaking character, so recorded separate sections of the scene to help build an overall better structure of the piece.

There is one sound during the piece that helps build tension in the scene, it occurs just after the sharpening of the knife which was created form closing the window in my kitchen fast. This sound was used right at the very end of the scene as well to leave the listener questioning what exactly happened to the character.

The story itself is set in the past, as the character is tells the story, this then gave me the idea to experiment with some of the effects in Pro Tools to make the sounds that you are hearing feel as if they have already happened. By using this effect called Reverb it enables the sound to almost create its own environment around you whilst listening. It has a numerous amount of setting to help create your perfect atmosphere, for example ambients, Church, hall, room etc.

In a section within the scene you hear the character say how his father stuck a blade into his face. watching the video below you see the man use the sound of a swashed lemon to create the sound of a opened wound. I replicated this idea but unfortunately did not have a lemon to use at the time so went with a tomato instead and managed to create a similar sound.

    

Video For Dance

Preparation for Dance Treatment

Dance Idea - The idea I would like to make for my dance film Revolves around the area of Body manipulation and illusions through different shapes and angles. I the idea is to showcase how our different body parts are able to interact with each other individually but working together at the same time.



Camera Techniques - Shallow Depth of field 

Editing Technique - Mirror 

Lighting Techniques - Spotlight shadow for hands 

Possible Location Shoots - Studio Room/Outside 
     

DFSA Gallery Exhibition

Walking With Laughter 

The gallery has finally installed all of the DFSA work used in the exhibition. As you know my work was formed around the area of laughter and the varied emotions expressed from it. Mixing down the different recording was an important, this time around it was my second attempt at developing my idea even further and build a stronger piece. The first time around i had created a compilation of many different sounds that eventually built up into all the sounds playing at once. But I found that method to be a bit messy and confusing, so eventually after speaking to friends and family on what they thought could possibly be changed, and I came up with the idea for the different sounds to exist in some sort of environment whilst using the sounds to create a story.

When it came down to creating an environment  for the sounds to exist in i was not to sure on how to approach it until i found a website called http://www.ambient-mixer.com/ which use around eight different sounds all played around the same time to create an atmosphere. The type of atmosphere I had in mind to create needed to be peaceful and calm so when an audience listened to it they felt at ease and relaxed.

The story I want to tell is about an individual who is walking through the forest high in the mountains somewhere and experiences different sounds of, surrounding laughter and sets out to find the whereabouts and eventually comes across its where abouts near a small stream.

The sounds that I had incorporated into the my piece are;

• Walking on gravel
• Pan flute 
• Chimes 
• Calm wind breeze 
• Water stream

Throughout the whole piece there is no dialog, with the exception of laughter, the reason for this is I did not want to distract the listener away from the journey of the story through other sounds.  

These are a few of individual sounds used within the piece;

Here is The Finished Product Called 

'Walking With Laughter'

Pro Tool Kit [Group B] Sound Design

SOUND DESIGN

Recently my job role has changed from grip construction to sound designer. As the project we are working on gravitates around the area of creativity and restrictions it would only be right to explore and experiment with sounds that could really express the outlook of the scene. The main scenes are the the character getting thrown into the prison for being too creative, so I would like to capture sounds that could demonstrate this. These could consist of dripping water or empty atmosphere.

Here are a list of sound that could be used for the jail scene:

Environment sounds

• Prison Guard Whistling whilst patrolling cell blocks
• Prison doors slamming shut 
• Other inmates Groaning 
• Silent Humming sounds from T.V's on the other side ( once character discovers a way out)
• Rats scurrying around  

Character sounds

• Sniffling from fear 
• Dialog of his thoughts
• Heavy breathing  

Creative world

• Upbeat music 
• Possible commentary
•  Rays of light 

Maps & Journey (Extended Idea)

Visuals/Sound 


Recently I have come across the idea to use visual for my project as an alternative solution in developing my idea even further if necessary. I will still continue with my initial idea which is to produce a sound installation around laughter. The reason behind the additional visual imagery is so the that people experiencing this art form have more than one element to engage with creating an alternative outlook on the piece.

The idea is to capture as many different forms of laughter visually whilst collecting the sounds from the subject. Experimenting with the speed of the footage and using that to help convey to the audience the different types of facial expressions that exist through laughter.

Sound Installation

Once all the necessary sounds are collected the next process will be importing them into Pro tools, where I will then use effects that can alter the flow of sound. one area that I am having a problem deciding is weather to tell a story with the sound or possibly bring all the sounds together so they play off each other with a 30/40 second loop attached.

Certain Laughs that I want to stand out will be held in a separate room to get the best result i.e. Baby laughing or elderly person. Other sounds that I am going to collect will be used to create a back ground atmosphere which is going to be recorded in large groups.

Equipment Needed:  

• Zoom Recorder with boom mic 
• My personal DLSR or canon film camera 
• Tripod
• LED Light  

     

 

Pro Tool Kit [Group B] Job roles

Job roles and Requirements 

We have all assigned ourselves roles in which can benefit the group creatively. Although we all have individual job titles focus on any new ideas that can push the projects further will be accounted for. The currents job roles that are assigned individually to the group are; 

• Director - Laura 
• 1st assistant Director - Chloe 
• Cinematography - Charlie
• Lighting - Sahir/Tori
• Sound - Hannah
• Continuity - Leanna
• Production assistant - Katherine
• Camera - Josh 
• Grip - Myself/ Nick 

My role as operational gripper Consists of Number of roles that involve managing and building equipment from tripods, dollies, tracks, Jibs, cranes, and static rigs. This role is crucial in terms of maneuvering the camera to ensure the positioning of the shot is correct alongside the camera man. Maintaining a smooth image for the camera involves working not only closely alongside the  camera man but also with director and the cinematographer.  

Grip machinery with josh operating camera

        Responsibilities on the the day of the shoot will consist of;

• Arriving early to the set and gather gathering equipment 
• assembling any items that need to be put together 
• communicate with both director and d.o.p 
• Ensure equipment is tidy and not obstructing any other crew members on set