War Horse sound design

Arts Centre Melbourne

10 Sept 201201:24

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses the role of sound design in creating a cinematic experience for a show. The sound designer's task is to complement the visual elements crafted by set, video, and lighting designers by adding appropriate soundscapes. For pastoral scenes, they aim to recreate the atmosphere of Devon in 1912, while for war scenes, they focus on conveying the emotional impact of war through sound, drawing from research and archive recordings of subsequent wars, despite the scarcity of First World War audio archives.

Takeaways

🎨 The show aims for a broad, cinematic approach with expansive landscapes.
🎥 The role of the sound designer is to complement the visual elements created by set, video, and lighting designers.
🌾 For pastoral scenes, the sound designer adds expected natural sounds to an otherwise bare stage, such as those from Devon in 1912.
🌍 Extensive research is conducted to understand the sounds of war, despite the scarcity of First World War recordings.
📚 Archive recordings from subsequent wars are used to inform the soundscape of the First World War in the show.
🎧 The goal of 'Warhorse' is to create an emotional impact rather than historical accuracy.
🎵 Sound is a critical component in completing the audience's experience of the scenes.
🎭 The collaboration between different design elements is essential in creating a comprehensive theatrical experience.
🔍 The sound designer's work is to bridge the gap between the visual and the auditory to immerse the audience.
🎬 The show's creators strive to evoke the feelings and experiences of war through a combination of visuals and sound.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the sound designer in the context of the show?
-The primary goal of the sound designer is to complete the picture for the audience by adding sound to the visual landscape created by the set, video, and lighting designers.
How does the sound designer enhance pastoral scenes in the show?
-The sound designer enhances pastoral scenes by adding sounds that one would expect to hear in a specific setting, such as Devon in 1912, to complement the projected fields and trees on a bare stage.
What kind of research did the sound designer conduct for the war scenes?
-The sound designer conducted research on the sounds of the time period, particularly focusing on the First World War, and used archive recordings from subsequent wars to inform their design.
Why is there a scarcity of archive recordings from the First World War?
-The scarcity of archive recordings from the First World War is not explicitly stated in the transcript, but it could be due to the early stage of audio recording technology at that time.
What is the main objective of the sound design for the war scenes in 'Warhorse'?
-The main objective of the sound design for the war scenes is to create an emotional impact that reflects the experience of being in the middle of war, rather than being ultra-faithful to the specific sounds of the First World War.
How does the sound designer work with other designers to create a cohesive scene?
-The sound designer works with set, video, and lighting designers to create a cohesive scene by integrating their visual landscape with appropriate sound effects and ambiance.
What challenges does the sound designer face in recreating historical sounds?
-The sound designer faces challenges in recreating historical sounds due to limited archival material and the need to evoke the emotional resonance of the period without direct recordings.
How does the sound design contribute to the overall cinematic approach of the show?
-The sound design contributes to the cinematic approach by providing a rich auditory experience that complements the visual elements and enhances the storytelling.
What role does the sound designer play in setting the scene for different time periods in the show?
-The sound designer plays a crucial role in setting the scene for different time periods by researching and incorporating sounds that accurately represent the era and setting of the narrative.
How does the sound design help in transitioning between different scenes or settings in the show?
-The sound design helps in transitioning between different scenes or settings by using distinct sound cues and effects that signal a change in time, place, or mood.
What is the significance of the sound designer's role in creating an immersive experience for the audience?
-The sound designer's role is significant in creating an immersive experience for the audience by enveloping them in a soundscape that aligns with the visual elements and emotional tone of the performance.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Sound Design in a Cinematic Show

The speaker discusses their role in completing the visual landscape created by set, video, and lighting designers with sound. They aim to provide an immersive experience by adding appropriate sounds for different scenes, such as pastoral scenes set in Devon in 1912. The speaker emphasizes the importance of sound in evoking the emotional impact of being in the First World War, despite the scarcity of archival recordings from that era. They conducted extensive research, using recordings from subsequent wars to inform their work on 'Warhorse', a production that aims to convey the emotional resonance of war rather than strict historical accuracy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡cinematic approach

A cinematic approach refers to the use of techniques and styles commonly found in films to create a visual and auditory experience. In the context of the video, this approach is used to achieve a broad and immersive setting for the show, aiming to engage the audience as if they were watching a movie. The script mentions the use of 'broad landscapes' to illustrate this approach, suggesting a grand and sweeping visual narrative.

💡complete the picture

To 'complete the picture' in this context means to add the final elements that bring a scene to life and make it feel real for the audience. The speaker's role is to add sound to the visual elements created by set, video, and lighting designers, ensuring that the audience gets a full sensory experience. For example, the script describes how the speaker adds sounds of Devon in 1912 to a scene with a projection of fields and trees.

💡pastoral scenes

Pastoral scenes typically depict rural landscapes and a tranquil way of life. In the video, pastoral scenes are contrasted with the harsh realities of war, highlighting the emotional journey of the characters. The script specifically mentions adding sounds that one would expect to hear in a rural setting like Devon in 1912 to enhance the authenticity of these scenes.

💡First World War

The First World War, also known as World War I, is a central historical event in the video's narrative. It is the period during which the story is set, and the script mentions conducting research to understand the sounds of that era. The video aims to convey the emotional impact of being in the war, rather than a strict historical accuracy, which is reflected in the use of sounds from subsequent wars when original recordings are scarce.

💡archive recording

An archive recording is a historical audio document that provides a record of sounds from a particular time. The script mentions the scarcity of such recordings from the First World War, which necessitates the use of sounds from later periods to evoke the atmosphere of the war. These recordings are crucial for creating an authentic aural backdrop for the video.

💡emotional impact

Emotional impact refers to the feelings and reactions that a piece of art, in this case, a show, elicits from its audience. The video's goal is to create a profound emotional response to the experience of war, as indicated by the script's emphasis on the emotional rather than the factual aspects of the First World War. This is achieved through the combination of visual and sound elements that aim to move the audience.

💡sound design

Sound design is the process of creating and selecting all the sounds in a production, including music, dialogue, and sound effects. In the video, sound design plays a crucial role in 'completing the picture' by adding the auditory dimension to the visual elements. The script highlights the importance of sound in immersing the audience in the scenes, whether it's a peaceful pastoral setting or the chaos of war.

💡set designer

A set designer is responsible for the physical appearance of a stage or film set. In the video, the set designer works in tandem with the video and lighting designers to create the visual landscape of each scene. The script implies that the set designer's work is foundational to the overall visual and auditory experience that the audience receives.

💡video designer

A video designer creates visual content that is projected onto sets or screens during a performance. The script mentions the video designer's role in creating landscapes and scenes, such as fields and trees, which are then enhanced with sound to create a more complete and immersive experience for the audience.

💡lighting designer

A lighting designer is responsible for the lighting effects in a production, which can dramatically affect the mood and atmosphere. The script does not provide specific examples of the lighting designer's work, but it is implied that their contribution is integral to the overall visual landscape that the audience perceives, and which the sound designer then complements with appropriate audio.

💡research

Research in the context of the video refers to the process of gathering information and understanding the historical and auditory aspects of the First World War. The script mentions that the speaker conducted research to inform the sound design, indicating the importance of accuracy and authenticity in creating a believable and impactful experience for the audience.

Highlights

Aiming for a broad, cinematic approach to the show with expansive landscapes.

The role of the sound designer is to complete the visual landscape created by other designers with sound.

Sound design is used to enhance pastoral scenes with expected natural sounds.

The challenge of recreating sounds from 1912's Devon due to a lack of direct archive recordings.

Utilizing archive recordings from subsequent wars to inform the sound design of the First World War scenes.

The goal of 'Warhorse' is to create an emotional impact rather than historical accuracy.

The importance of sound in completing the picture for the audience.

The collaboration between set, video, and lighting designers with the sound designer.

The use of sound to transport the audience to a specific time and place.

The research conducted to understand the sounds of war during the early 20th century.

The creative process of translating historical sounds into a modern theatrical context.

The emotional resonance sought through the sound design of 'Warhorse'.

The balance between authenticity and emotional storytelling in sound design.

The impact of sound on setting the mood and atmosphere of a scene.

The role of sound in supporting the visual elements of the production.

The transformation of the stage through the integration of sound with other design elements.

The significance of sound in creating a fully immersive theatrical experience.

The challenge of finding and using appropriate sound effects for a historical drama.

The process of selecting and layering sounds to create a rich auditory landscape.