Sound in Film and Cinema

Sound plays a vital role in film and helps shape the way the viewer reacts and watches a motion picture. Sound influences and enhances what we see on the projector screen. Film critic and music composer Michael Chion breaks down sound into different groups which each play a role in the making of a film. 

Michael Chion describes sound and listening in three different types of modes: causal, semantic, and reduced listening. “Causal listening refers to the listening of a sound in order to gather information about its cause or source (Chion 25).” Semantic listening is listening for the purpose of gaining information about what is communicated in the sound and language. Reduced listening is listening for the purpose of focusing on the qualities of sound itself such as pitch or timbre, which is independent of its source or meaning. 

In the film Bad Boys II with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, each of the three listening modes are used. In one of the last scenes of the movie, the two policemen gear up for a huge battle in which they rescue a hostage while under gunfire from the Cuban army. They enter a mansion surrounded by armored guards and men as they make their way through the house trying to find the hostage. They are able to successfully escape with the hostage as they leave in a car with the mansion exploding in the background. The sound first heard in this scene uses causal listening with miners digging an underground tunnel. The clang of the digging indicates that men are underground and are moving quickly. In addition, the semantic sounds of the policemen’s voices are heard as they instruct each other where to go. This is causal listening as well as semantic listening. The barking of instructions indicate that the voice is from one of the policemen and from semantic listening you can hear that the voice is from actor Will Smith without even seeing him in the picture. In the background, as the policemen prepare to enter the house, the reverberation of a drum is heard as a reduced sound to create suspense. Immediately, the explosion from a rocket launcher rips through the air followed by the panicked voices of the enemy soldiers. This fleeting moment uses all three listening modes. Causal listening is used to determine that the source of the explosion is the rocket launcher and reduced listening indicates that magnitude of the explosion and its effects on the building. Finally, semantic listening is used determine that the panicked voices belong to the Cuban soldiers who are under attack. Then the crash of shattered glass and windows is heard through reduced listening as well as the sound of the approaching enemy vehicles as the policemen make their way towards the hostage. As bullets and machine gun fire whiz by the policemen in another example of reduced listening, the clatter of footsteps and shouting is heard loud and clear to convey an atmosphere of chaos and confusion. The shouting of the men as they escape is another instance of semantic listening as the viewer realizes that it is coming from actor Martin Lawrence. 

Sound is able to influence what we see and affect its images by bringing to life the images on the screen. The sound of a grenade making a huge explosion magnifies it effects on the scene at hand. The noises make the scene and actions come alive and seem all the more real. The noise of miners digging tunnels makes you believe that you are really inside that tunnel with the characters in the film. Listening to sound in a film also makes the viewer react more to the action or scene. For example, the noise of a machine gun firing rapidly several rounds of bullets at a time makes it seem all the more remarkable of a feat when the actors miraculously escape a hail of bullets while running for their lives. Awed at such a scene, the audience thinks, “how did they do that” or “that was amazing.” Furthermore, the listening of sound captures the viewer’s attention and wraps them into the scene. The noise of several helicopter in the sky dashing across the ocean gives the impression that a huge action scene is about to occur or a crucial point in the film’s plot is on the brink.

Budget Winter Wedding Photography Guide

Do-it-yourself wedding photography is an excellent way to save money, but it is important to plan the details. Chances are you probably know a few photography buffs who are willing to help with your wedding photos. Use this guide to make the most of their skills and generosity to get beautiful wedding pictures.

1. Recruit multiple friends or family members to help with the photographs.
Designating multiple people as photographer splits the workload and means the wedding pictures will reflect a variety of perspectives. Choose knowledgeable, reliable people who are experienced in digital photography.

2. Use a high quality camera.
Make sure the camera you choose is technologically capable of capturing your winter wedding memories. Varying lighting conditions and action scenes are no problem for a good digital camera.

3. Have backup batteries or a backup camera ready.
Be sure the camera you use is charged and have a backup battery or backup camera ready.

4. Bring extra memory cards.
With digital cameras, most people take a few photos then delete the bad ones. The quick pace of a wedding probably will not leave time to edit along the way. Besides, pictures that are out of focus or unusual often have a unique beauty that is not immediately apparent. Bring extra memory cards to avoid missing a good shot.

5. Be very clear about what you want.
Research online and browse friend's wedding albums to get an idea of the type of poses and moments you want to commemorate. Make a list to be absolutely certain each milestone is photographed.

6. Get a mix of candid and posed shots.
A variety of photos best captures the spirit of the day.

7. Plan for the weather.
Depending on the wedding location, winter weather may mean it is too frigid to venture outdoors for a photo session. Plan to take group shots of the bridal party and family members indoors.

8. Edit the photos.
Try cropping and adding different special effects. Sepia and black and white pictures take on an elegant, timeless quality.

9. Order quality photo prints.
Since you saved so much on the cost of a photographer, invest in prints that use high quality paper and ink.

10. Make a wedding album.
You can use traditional photo prints to make a wedding album, but digital photos give you more options. A variety of book options, including hardbound books and small flipbooks, are available online and in many drug and discount stores.

How to Do Pinhole Art

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Pinhole art is not something you commonly see but the creations are beautiful and very easy to make. There are several different techniques and many different ways to display the pinhole art. One technique is to use a coloring page as your guide. Simply lay the page on top of the new paper then place them on a piece of cardboard. Use a pin or needle to poke holes, every quarter-inch or so. A large pin, like a hat pin, is perfect. It helps to tape the paper and pattern to the cardboard to make sure the pages don't slip. Upon covering the entire design with pinholes you can tape it to a window or a picture frame with no backing.

Another way to make the design is to use stencils. Draw the entire design on to the fabric or paper with a disappearing marker, found in sewing departments. The marker's color will last for about 72 hours then disappear for good. This allows enough time to make the pinhole arrangements before allowing the pattern to disappear.

The disappearing ink markers are perfect for making intricate designs from a poster or large picture. Make dots with the marker, spaced evenly, then go back and poke a hole in each dot. The picture is then outlined for display.

Some people prefer to keep the original picture rather than having it disappear. During certain conditions only the picture can be seen, not the pinholes. In other conditions, the pinhole art will show rather than the original picture.

Any number of things can be your pattern maker. Calendars, postcards, wallpaper, and posters all make great patterns. And, the pattern doesn't have to be done on paper only. You can make pinhole art on cloth, cardboard, foil or poster board.

Pinhole art requires no colors, markers, or paints but does require a light source that will shine through the pinholes to form the design. Windows are a perfect place to display your pin art because the light will shine through yet bright sunlight will be filtered through the artwork.

Besides windows you can also display the artwork in a picture frame that has no backing. Make the design on a dark piece of felt, then place a single light behind the art. A bulb, made to look like a candle, is the perfect way to shine light through your artwork. The candle bulbs can be found around Christmastime in stores that sell Christmas decorations. You can also burn a tea light behind the picture.

For denser materials, like felt, try using a nail rather than a pin to make the holes. Be careful not to tear the fabric when inserting the nail. You'll find many creations that you can easily do by looking around your home for things to make the patterns and finding places to hang the artwork.