Finding Inspiration for Sound Design with Richard King

Summary

The speaker discusses the process of sound design in film, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and research. They share anecdotes from working on 'Dunkirk' and 'Interstellar,' highlighting how they sourced and manipulated sounds from various sources, including YouTube, NASA, and on-site recordings. The goal is to create an immersive and authentic audio experience that conveys the essence of each scene, from the intricacies of aircraft sounds to the vastness of space.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The process of sound design begins with reading the script to identify key effects that will be needed for the film.
• 🛩 For 'Dunkirk', extensive aircraft recording was conducted before filming to capture all the sounds a plane could make.
• 🔍 The importance of researching and finding inspiration for sound effects, such as planes or atomic bombs, is highlighted.
• 🌐 YouTube is a valuable resource for sound designers, offering a wide range of real-world sounds that can inspire and be used in films.
• 📱 Sometimes, casual recordings made with smartphones can capture sounds better than professional equipment due to environmental factors and compression.
• 🔊 The story of finding a laser sound online that was superior to a professionally recorded one, emphasizing the unpredictability of sound capture.
• 🚀 NASA recordings, such as those from a shuttle launch, provide authentic and inspiring sounds for films like 'Interstellar'.
• 🌌 Space is depicted as an inhospitable environment for humans and animals, with the shuttle launch recording illustrating the thin atmosphere and the rapidity of space travel.
• 📡 The audio from the NASA shuttle launch video conveys the experience of going from sea level to the upper atmosphere and the disintegration of background noise.
• 💥 The impact of sound design in conveying the harsh realities of space travel and the fragility of Earth's protective atmosphere.
• 🎥 The power of sound in film to enhance the narrative and create a more immersive and realistic experience for the audience.

Q & A

What is the first step the speaker takes when preparing for a film's sound design?

The speaker starts by reading the script and identifying key elements that will require specific sound effects.

Why did the speaker feel the need to record aircraft sounds for the film 'Dunkirk'?

The speaker knew that planes would be an important part of the film's sound design due to their limited range of motion and unique sounds, which are different from other vehicles like cars.

What is the significance of having raw material for sound design?

Having raw material allows the sound designer to have a variety of sounds to work with and manipulate to fit the needs of the film.

How does the speaker approach finding inspiration for sound effects?

The speaker searches on YouTube for random recordings that people have made, which can inspire ideas for sound effects or provide actual sounds to use.

Why does the speaker mention that sometimes an iPhone recording can sound better than a professional one?

The speaker suggests that the compression on an iPhone, along with the chance placement of the device in the right environment, can sometimes result in better sound quality.

What is an example of a sound effect the speaker found online that inspired them?

The speaker found an incredible laser sound online that was recorded by scaling a tick scale or rust off a piece of metal using an industrial tool.

Why did the speaker have to manipulate the recordings of the laser made in Poland?

The original recordings did not match the sound quality and characteristics of the laser sound found on YouTube, so they had to be manipulated to sound closer to the inspiring video.

What role did NASA recordings play in inspiring the speaker for the film 'Interstellar'?

NASA recordings of a shuttle launch provided an authentic and detailed audio experience that helped convey the harsh and alien nature of space in the film.

How does the speaker describe the acoustic changes during a shuttle launch as heard in the NASA recording?

The speaker describes the acoustic changes as the shuttle ascends, with background noise diminishing and the sound becoming more distinct, until the booster breaks away and the environment becomes chaotic.

What is the key takeaway from the NASA recording about space according to the speaker?

The key takeaway is that space is extremely inhospitable, with the thin layer of atmosphere around Earth providing a stark contrast to the vast emptiness of space.

Why does the speaker recommend others to look up the NASA recording?

The speaker recommends the recording because it provides an incredible and educational insight into the experience of a shuttle launch, both visually and audibly.