88 Moving Images: Making Movies, Understanding Mediaa fi lm shoot) who then leaves the shot. Th e camera and sound source both
record the precise moment in which the sticks produce a sharp snapping
sound. Th e exact instant at which the noise is heard on the recorded sound is
matched up to the precise frame in which the sticks are seen to come together.
With the advent of digital techniques, there are electronic slates that feature
a time readout that is linked to the sound recording device and can assist in
syncing picture and sound.
Just as had occurred with the emergence of optical sound with motion
pictures, we will fi rst concentrate on the techniques and traditions of capturing
sound on the set. During movie production, the craft necessary to select and
record properly the sounds heard on location or the set is a demanding and
intricate endeavor.Sound Recordists and their Collaborators
What is sound? Sound is a wave motion caused by pressure changes that
registers as an identifi able sensation through the ear, which we call hearing.
Sound waves travel as vibrations through gas, liquid, or solid, and their
particular qualities are created by the frequency, intensity, and phase of their
cycles. Because these vibrations are constantly reacting to pressure diff erences,
sound waves spread and bounce in all directions from their source, which
makes them quite diffi cult to control and capture easily.
In moviemaking, most people tend to take sound for granted. When most
of us use movie cameras, the sound is picked up when we push the record
button and concentrate on capturing the pictures that we want. However, in
order to develop our media skills fully, it is vital to understand the craft of using
appropriate audio instruments and techniques and the artistry of achieving
high quality and proper mix of sounds on location and in the studio.Figure 3-7 Camera assistant
about to mark a scene with
a slate. (Courtesy Kendelyn
Ouellette)Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).