Animation Session 6: Sound

In today's session we spoke mainly about the feature of soundscapes and music in film, specifically animation. Sound guides the perception of image of a viewer, and influences the way they perceive the visuals presented to of them. Music is a trans-cultural language. There are two main rhythms in a piece; one from visuals and one from audio. An example of soundtrack music we were treated to by our tutor was from 'Peter and the Wolf.' The audio is very dramatic and clearly adds to the narrative - it has a distinctive mood and feel, and features highs, lows, climaxes, drops and other narrative features. It was recommended that we complete a sound moodboard to complement our storyboard, which plans the points at which the sounds heighten and drop, and how they will add to the visual narrative.

'Salad fingers' was given as an example of atmospheric music, which is used in the background, is not very lyrical or distinctive, but evokes some emotion in the viewer.
Some music, such as in Norman McLaren's 'Neighbours,' combines different elements as senses, like smell, feel and sight and suggests a feeling of them.
If I were to use mouth action or voice overs in my animated piece, it would have to be very precise, and so would be very difficult to do. I have decided to not include any vocals, and just have music and sound effects rather than monologue or dialogue in the soundscape.

What is the effect of adding audio to a narrative? What does it contribute?


Application to my own project
In the poem 'Love After Love,' not much action takes place. The music that features should be melodic and gentle, rather than dramatic with many highs and lows. Because my piece will start of with a sense of hopelessness, I want to create a sombre, forlorn, lacklustre mood with the soundtrack. It will be slow and match the visuals of the unhappy protagonist. As the mood grows lighter and the main character's spirits lift up, I want to make the music lighter and more cheery, perhaps evoking springtime and lively feelings like the music in 'Peter and the Wolf.' I know my friend who is composing the music works mainly in acoustics