Chapter 3 Sound and Image 119Q
How do you balance visual storytelling in your pieces with the importance
of sound in establishing tone and style and in communicating key
information?A
Th ere’s more than one way to tell a story. You can do it purely through
visuals, without any sound. But you can also tell the same story purely
through sound, without any visuals. Th e balance of visual and sound
ultimately comes down to the story you’re trying to tell and how you
want to tell it. Any stimuli you choose to include, or choose to omit,
communicates something to your audience. It’s up to you to determine
just the right combination of stimuli to communicate your story in the
most impactful way.
Sound is important in every project I’m involved with. From the
music and sound eff ects, to the dialogue and voice talent, sound is
vital to the communication. Music can evoke a variety emotions, add
energy- or remove it, and even set a pacing for the fi lm. Sound eff ects
simply help explain what you’re seeing on fi lm, adding a texture to the
visual. Voice talent can be a challenge. Male or female. Old or young.
And all the diff erent voice qualities you can think of–the slightest
variation of which can mean the diff erence between feeling authentic
or fake, and getting laughs or getting crickets. It’s common to audition
as many as 400 or so voices just to get the right one. Because without
the right voice, the spot might simply not work. Sound is a sensitive
thing. It usually works or it doesn’t. And you don’t usually know if it
works until you see it put to picture.Q
What have been some of your observations of the filmmaking
process?A
Have an opinion. And have a reason for it. Because everyone has an
opinion–some good and some bad. Listen with an open mind. Th en
listen to your gut.
Once you start shooting, anything can happen. Actors you thought
could act–can’t. Lines you thought were funny–aren’t. You go from being
ahead of schedule, to 4 shots behind. And weather that’s sunny and 80,
is suddenly a fl ash fl ood washing your set away. Filmmaking is a fl uid
process. You have to roll with the punches and fi nd solutions- fast.Visit the textbook website to read the entire interview with Kevin
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