Sound in your films

[Ian Gardner]

Dear all fellow film-makers,
I was just wondering what people on here do for sound effects and music
on their films?

For music, I use music cd`s etc, but I re-edit them and change them around
so they fit my film better. I love making a favorite 4 minute track last
to around 10 minutes!

For sound effects I use bits and pieces from my collection of sound effects
cd`s. I sometimes do them myself. But if I wanted an explosion, i`m not going
to blow up something. For my latest film, I used an explosion from my cd,
but I slowed it down. This made it much more better.

Your thoughts gentleman please.
Ian Gradner

[DICK]

"Ian Gardner" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Dear all fellow film-makers,
I was just wondering what people on here do for sound effects and music
on their films?

For music, I use music cd`s etc, but I re-edit them and change them around
so they fit my film better. I love making a favorite 4 minute track last
to around 10 minutes!

For sound effects I use bits and pieces from my collection of sound effects
cd`s. I sometimes do them myself. But if I wanted an explosion, i`m not
going
to blow up something. For my latest film, I used an explosion from my cd,
but I slowed it down. This made it much more better.

Your thoughts gentleman please.
Ian Gradner

WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES, MR GRADNER??

[Ian Gardner]

"DICK" <D-F789@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

"Ian Gardner" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Dear all fellow film-makers,
I was just wondering what people on here do for sound effects and music
on their films?

For music, I use music cd`s etc, but I re-edit them and change them around
so they fit my film better. I love making a favorite 4 minute track last
to around 10 minutes!

For sound effects I use bits and pieces from my collection of sound effects
cd`s. I sometimes do them myself. But if I wanted an explosion, i`m not
going
to blow up something. For my latest film, I used an explosion from my cd,
but I slowed it down. This made it much more better.

Your thoughts gentleman please.
Ian Gradner

WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES, MR GRADNER??

So Sorry DICK! It`s just that we don`t have many ladies posting on this forum.
The question is extended to the ladies as well. Were see how many answer.

Ian Gardner

[Davina Watterson]

"DICK" <D-F789@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES, MR GRADNER??

I do think it is important to really listen to sound effects records. What
is labelled as X or Y may sound just like something completely different.
A well-known example is to use recordings of London Underground trains starting
up as the sound of almost any kind of heavy machinery starting - such as
newspaper printing presses.

On the few occasions I've needed sound effects I tend to blend two or more
together to get the sound I want.

I have not played with changing the speed / pitch of effects yet, but have
done it with speech. Dubbing a German voice-over onto an English film, the
lady reading it spoke too quickly and there was no chance for a re-recording
session. So I slowed her voice down to 96% which made it slower and a little
deeper - and that suited the movie perfectly.

Cheers

Davina

[Daisy]

"Davina Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"DICK" <D-F789@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES, MR GRADNER??

I do think it is important to really listen to sound effects records. What
is labelled as X or Y may sound just like something completely different.
A well-known example is to use recordings of London Underground trains
starting
up as the sound of almost any kind of heavy machinery starting - such as
newspaper printing presses.

On the few occasions I've needed sound effects I tend to blend two or more
together to get the sound I want.

I have not played with changing the speed / pitch of effects yet, but have
done it with speech. Dubbing a German voice-over onto an English film,
the
lady reading it spoke too quickly and there was no chance for a re-recording
session. So I slowed her voice down to 96% which made it slower and a little
deeper - and that suited the movie perfectly.

Cheers

Davina

Dear Davina ...

I find it quite usefull to change the speed of people's voices too, especially
TB's where I usually put it up at least one octave, sometimes more. This
gives a more true example of its chararacter, whilst giving the medics more
time to come up with a new TB vaccine. It has been such a terrible disease.

I'm having to lay off film making at present, as I'm going through the ****
pause, if you get my drift. I've had to give up wearing short skirts and
low tops as well, especially in the windy weather in my present delicate
state.

I do hope you boys on this website will still go on carrying the film-making
flag, as you do it so well. We girls definitely need you boys so that we
can get help with the anorak stuff, such as the latest XXX camera and all
that computer stuff we gals are always at sea with.

It's so nice to have another gal on this website, Davina, and what a lovely
name. I quite fancy that Mr Gardiner, but don't tell him that. He's oooh,
ever so macho! Do you fancy him too? We gals must get together over a pi
I mean a Pims soon and share our troubles.

Love

Daisy XXXXX

[Dave Watterson]

"Daisy" <daisy@pocoanimato.co.uk> wrote:

It's so nice to have another gal on this website, Davina,

Seriously: several women tell me they do regularly read these pages but do
not feel moved to contribute. I hope that when the right topic comes along
they will do so.

Here at Watterson Towers, Mrs. W is in one room, Mr. W in another - both
editing the footage we shot at the UNICA festival. We hope to produce two
different results from the same original material. Don't hold your breath
though. Neither of us edits quickly.

I know that Reg and Annabelle Lancaster also forked out for two editing systems
so that they can work independently ... they found they were often clashing
over use of a single Casablanca when competition deadlines loomed.

Cheers

Dave and Davina

[Daisy]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"Daisy" <daisy@pocoanimato.co.uk> wrote:
It's so nice to have another gal on this website, Davina,

Seriously: several women tell me they do regularly read these pages but
do
not feel moved to contribute. I hope that when the right topic comes along
they will do so.

Here at Watterson Towers, Mrs. W is in one room, Mr. W in another - both
editing the footage we shot at the UNICA festival. We hope to produce two
different results from the same original material. Don't hold your breath
though. Neither of us edits quickly.

I know that Reg and Annabelle Lancaster also forked out for two editing
systems
so that they can work independently ... they found they were often clashing
over use of a single Casablanca when competition deadlines loomed.

Cheers

Dave and Davina

Dear Davina and Mr Dave

This website is crying out for the feminine touch (or should I say touche?).
It is also sad that at so many film making clubs, the women are relagated
to (or only feel confident at) making the tea and coffee.

There are some extremely good professional female directors out there, but
very few in the amateur world, which is tragic.

[Dave Watterson]

"Daisy" <daisy@pocoanimato.co.uk> wrote:

It is also sad that at so many film making clubs, the women are relagated
to (or only feel confident at) making the tea and coffee.

I can only say that visiting Dundee Camcorder Club this week, I noted that
there were as many women as men in attendance and many of them are excellent
movie makers.

Dave

[Ian Gardner]

"Daisy" <daisy@pocoanimato.co.uk> wrote:

Dear Davina ...

I'm having to lay off film making at present, as I'm going through the ****
pause, if you get my drift. I've had to give up wearing short skirts and
low tops as well, especially in the windy weather in my present delicate
state.

Us blokes do get what you mean! Don`t spoil our fun with the windy weather
and short skirts. Going through this ladies stage of life isn`t the end.
It`s a new type of beginning. Keep your head held high and don`t get down.
Have a good smile each day and think positive, it will make you feel MUCH
better, and have fun! Just because your `going through that stage` doesn`t
mean that you cannot hold a video camera! Why don`t you make a documentry
style film on the way your life is changing? You could include a few diary
sections. You could enter it at the next IAC Comp.

I do hope you boys on this website will still go on carrying the film-making
flag, as you do it so well. We girls definitely need you boys so that we
can get help with the anorak stuff, such as the latest XXX camera and all
that computer stuff we gals are always at sea with.

Not true. You gals may be better at ironing! but you can still work a computer
and edit. That ladies touch is something else. They have that extra sence.
Carry on film making. PLEASE.

It's so nice to have another gal on this website, Davina, and what a lovely
name. I quite fancy that Mr Gardiner, but don't tell him that. He's oooh,
ever so macho! Do you fancy him too? We gals must get together over a pi
I mean a Pims soon and share our troubles.

If you are really a Daisy and not some man winding me up then THANKYOU!
I`ve never been called those nice names before. I`ve been called some other
names in my past but never this. Thanks. I`m Blushing

My other half likes Pimms. I don`t drink beer, but like Cider, Perno and
Black and Pasties.
We hope you stay on this forum for your ladies input. It makes it more fun
and I think that this is the first time i`ve heard Davids wife speek out.
Excellent.

Love

Daisy XXXXX

Ian Gardner

[Daisy]

"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

"Daisy" <daisy@pocoanimato.co.uk> wrote:

Dear Davina ...

I'm having to lay off film making at present, as I'm going through the
****
pause, if you get my drift. I've had to give up wearing short skirts and
low tops as well, especially in the windy weather in my present delicate
state.

Us blokes do get what you mean! Don`t spoil our fun with the windy weather
and short skirts. Going through this ladies stage of life isn`t the end.
It`s a new type of beginning. Keep your head held high and don`t get down.
Have a good smile each day and think positive, it will make you feel MUCH
better, and have fun! Just because your `going through that stage` doesn`t
mean that you cannot hold a video camera! Why don`t you make a documentry
style film on the way your life is changing? You could include a few diary
sections. You could enter it at the next IAC Comp.

I do hope you boys on this website will still go on carrying the film-making
flag, as you do it so well. We girls definitely need you boys so that we
can get help with the anorak stuff, such as the latest XXX camera and all
that computer stuff we gals are always at sea with.

Not true. You gals may be better at ironing! but you can still work a computer
and edit. That ladies touch is something else. They have that extra sence.
Carry on film making. PLEASE.

It's so nice to have another gal on this website, Davina, and what a lovely
name. I quite fancy that Mr Gardiner, but don't tell him that. He's oooh,
ever so macho! Do you fancy him too? We gals must get together over a pi
I mean a Pims soon and share our troubles.

If you are really a Daisy and not some man winding me up then THANKYOU!
I`ve never been called those nice names before. I`ve been called some other
names in my past but never this. Thanks. I`m Blushing

My other half likes Pimms. I don`t drink beer, but like Cider, Perno and
Black and Pasties.
We hope you stay on this forum for your ladies input. It makes it more
fun
and I think that this is the first time i`ve heard Davids wife speek out.
Excellent.


Ian Gardner

Dear Mr Gardiner

Thank you so much for your sensitive post. Not many men really understand
the female psyche so well.

I always used to have trouble holding a video camera, it used to shake about
a lot, but it’s much worse now. It must be my age (I’m 41). I’ve tried tripods
but they never seem any better, I must be doing something wrong.

I have a lot of trouble with computers when I edit, as they never seem to
do what I want. It was much better in the old film days as I never had trouble
joining up bits of film, as it was more like embroidery or knitting, things
we ladies are used to.

I did have this friend who used to come round and sort things out when I
had what is called a crash, but he seems more interested in younger women
now. If only computer manufacturers would make computers that women could
understand, they would be a world beater, instead of a wife beater. Women
are so much more complex than men, who seem only to be hung up on football.

I wonder if there are any amateur film makers out there who would be prepared
to work with a female director? I feel I have a lot to offer.

Thank you for your understanding and your help.

Daisy.

[Cinema For Thurso Group]

For music we also use CDs but again cut and re-arrange the cues for what we
hope is a better effect. We also have a small archive of original works although
we haven't got anything their that fits our projects so far. It is a good
practice to follow as it helps to improve your skill at arranging cues.
For sound effects we look to create our own using sounds within our location
recordings. In Bilbster Adventure we have incorporated part of the sound
of a lift mechanism for a lightning bolt, distressed Blackbird call multi
layered as a pre-sound to the appearance of fairies and the monsters roar
has been produced from an un-planned recording of the smokers cough of one
of our actors. In Lord Of The Rings the Balrog roar is two concrete blocks
being rubbed together.
A lot of sounds are layered in to get the full effect. A suggestion for
explosion sounds is to blown directly onto a microphone head. Adjust the
sound to the bass end of the scale and layer in a hint of treble of the same
recording but slightly late and add extra sounds of things breaking. Use
real thunder recordings if need be and sharp cut them.

[Dave Watterson]

"Cinema For Thurso Group" <canuimagine@btopenworld.com> wrote:

For sound effects we look to create our own using sounds within our location
recordings. In Bilbster Adventure we have incorporated part of the sound
of a lift mechanism for a lightning bolt, distressed Blackbird call multi
layered as a pre-sound to the appearance of fairies and the monsters roar
has been produced from an un-planned recording of the smokers cough of one
of our actors.

Thanks for those ideas. You are quite right to remind us that sound effects
do not all have to come from professionally recorded CDs. I once spent an
afternoon stabbing cabbages for a murder scene, rustling old recording tape
in a plastic bowl to make the crackling sound of a large fire and trying
not very successfully to make the noise of footsteps on a wet pavement with
old slippers and a basin of water.

In my teaching days I once took a group to BBC Edinburgh studios and they
had fun with the fx guy's kit of miniature creaking doors, trays of gravel
for footsteps and so on. My main memory of that occasion though is my watching
through the control room glass as several of the group had fun and hoping
nothing got broken. The BBC contact guy was there looking a little twitchy.
Then the pupil who was taking the role of producer switched the talkback
on and just said quietly to the studio: "Cool it, guys. It's not our time."
MUCH better than any teacherly comment I might have tried. They calmed down
and made the recording we wanted for a little school drama.

Last year a work colleague showed me his "garage". It had been done up as
a recording studio with very good sound insulation and baffling to make a
fairly echo-free room. Though the space inside was limited he was able to
record a range of bands and choirs - adding the ambience required with computer
effects so that it sounded like a smoky jazz club one track and a cathedral
the next.

Cheers and more ideas, please!

Dave

[Ian Gardner]

"Daisy" <Daisy@pocoanimato.co.uk> wrote:

Dear Mr Gardiner

I always used to have trouble holding a video camera, it used to shake about
a lot, but it’s much worse now. It must be my age (I’m 41). I’ve tried tripods
but they never seem any better, I must be doing something wrong.

Maybe you have your tripod around the wrong way. The three leg things go
on the ground.

I did have this friend who used to come round and sort things out when I
had what is called a crash, but he seems more interested in younger women
now.

Maybe it`s because your ugly and overweight. Get out more and stop being
lazy. Get a job. There`s loads of jobs for ladies like looking after the
old people in an old peoples home. You could even join a video club so you
can make the tea at the break.

I wonder if there are any amateur film makers out there who would be prepared
to work with a female director? I feel I have a lot to offer.

Maybe Peter could help you? He lives VERY close to you. He could hold your
tripod for you.

Thank you for your understanding and your help.

That`s ok Daisy. You`ve got Peter now.

Daisy.

Ian Gardner

[Dave Watterson]

Enough already!

Let's get back to movie making issues -

What's this year's most boring holiday movie likely to deal with?


Dave

[Ian Gardner]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

Enough already!

Let's get back to movie making issues -

What's this year's most boring holiday movie likely to deal with?


Dave

Would that be a film about someone going on holiday to Korea for some film
festival! or could it be part 2 of someone who pretends to have a holiday
in The Isle of Wight and films it in a Force 10 gale!
Or what about a holiday to the North Pole in Winter filmed in Hi-Definition
and I-MAX standards (24hours of Darkness for those that are not good at geography!)


Ian Gardner