Evaluation

For this assignment we had to choose a Tom and Jerry clip and then source the sound effects for the clip. We took out the sounds that were in the original video and had to replace them with sounds that either we had recorded ourselves or ones that we had sourced from the internet.

I recorded two sound effects myself that I put onto the timeline. The two sounds were a kiss sound and a sniff sound. To create these effects, I went into an empty classroom with a voice recorder and did an air kiss into the recorder and then did a big sniff. This meant that the sounds that I produced were clear and didn’t have any background noise. I had to record them a couple of times each until they both sounded good enough to use. The kiss sound is used at the end when tom kisses Jerry. The sniff sound was used when Butch sniffs the garbage.

The sound effects I found for my clip were, a brushing sound, the Flintstones’ running sound, pop, swish, spring and background music. I used the brushing sound when tom was brushing Jerry’s teeth. When he sped up I decreased the duration so that the sound also sped up. I used the pop sound when Spike opened the lid of a milk bottle. The swish sound was used after the Flintstone’s running sound. These worked well together. I used the spring sound when Butch got hit in the head by a trash can lid. I think they all fitted with what was happening on screen and I am happy with the sounds that I recorded/found.

I chose these sounds because I thought they would be most suitable for the on screen actions. We had to watch the clip twice in order to get a better idea of what sounds to use. The first time we watched the clip with all of the original sounds and then we watched it for a second time with the sound taken out.

I am fairly pleased with the overall result. I had trouble finding the sound effects that I needed so it could be better. I think I did well with the ones I was able to record and source though. I spent time over making them in sync with the on screen images.  I also found it hard to find some suitable background music so I used the original Tom and Jerry theme music that I used throughout the video.

If I were to do this assignment again, I would possibly think harder about what sounds I could get hold of before I chose what part of the video to create the sounds for. I would also give more time to finding the sound effects as I could have done with being more focused when trying to find them, rather than spending time on  choosing what part of the clip to do. 

SFX Production Schedule

14th March-             'Sniff`'                     Sony Voice Recorder                     Empty Classroom + 1 Friend
                           'Sloppy Kiss'                Sony Voice Recorder                     Empty Classroom + 1 Friend
                         'Glass on Table'              Sony Voice Recorder                     Empty Classroom + 1 Friend
                                                                                                                                         + Glass
                              'Lid Pop'                    Sony Voice Recorder                     Empty Classroom + 1 Friend
                                                                                                                                + Bottle With Lid
                          'Face Wobble'                Sony Voice Recorder                     Empty Classroom + 1 Friend

21st March-          'Scream'                                   Mac
                             'Tip Toe'                                  Mac
                             'Dusting'                                  Mac
                           'Face Palm'                                Mac
                               'Thud'                                    Mac
                         'Slide Sounds'                              Mac
                               'Dash'                                    Mac
                        'Drink Pouring'                             Mac
                               'Slam'                                    Mac
                                'Lick'                                    Mac
                                'Bell'                                     Mac
                'Trash Can - Bang - Shake'                  Mac

28th March-           'Piano'                                    Mac
                               'Ding'                                    Mac
                     'Running - Walking'                        Mac
                               'Glug'                                    Mac
                         'Towel Whip'                              Mac
                                'Pop'                                     Mac
                               'Ahhh'                                   Mac
                             'Symbols'                                Mac
                       'Chairs on Floor'                           Mac
        

Chosen Clip - Tom and Jerry.

The two minute clip that i have chosen to use is from the Tom and Jerry episode 'Truce Hurts'. I am starting the clip in at two minutes and finishing at four minutes. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFxHJ1q0yns&feature=related 

Recording SFX's

Footsteps are created by a person stamping on different surfaces with different shoes on depending on
what the scene requires.


Rain is created by pouring rice grains onto tin foil.


A body punch is sometimes created with a phone book. Alternatively a foley artist will wear a glove and punch a slab of meat.


Frozen romaine lettuce makes great bone or head injury noises.


Cellophane creates crackling fire effects

Preparing to work with sound effects

Why do you think we use SFX's in TV and film productions?
We use sound effects to enhance sounds that are captured when recording for Film and TV. It makes
the sounds have more impact on the audience because they're more obvious than if they hadn't been added.


What are the advantages of using SFX's in TV and Film?
The advantages of using SFX is because it makes it more believable to the audience. It's also good because it adds to any sounds that have been recorded. 


What do they add to the overall productions?
They make the overall production memorable and iconic if they are used correctly.  People will remember a Film or TV programme because of the sounds used.


What are the disadvantages of using SFX's in Film and TV productions?
Sometimes sound effects can be too loud and not as effective. They might not always fit in either,
especially it if its a drama and more serious.


What is the job of a Foley artist?
A Foley artist makes the sound effects for films. They will recreate sounds that are hard to actually capture, such as, punches, gun shots, wood creaking and footsteps. 
They can also create sounds that can cover up any unwanted sounds when filming such as passing traffic.

Evaluation

To begin with our group went out and filmed in three different locations. We chose an empty classroom, outside next to the car park and in a busy area of college. The aim was to see how good the sound quality was. Once we had filmed we looked at the footage and made a mind map of the things that we could improve on and the solutions to the problems for each location. The first location was okay as there was no background noise. The second location had lots of wind that we could hear and as people walked past they shouted and you can hear it on the recording. In the third location the background noise was loud and you couldn't really hear me or Chloe. We decided this was because we had used the boom mic and so when we re-filmed we would use the tie mics as they are directional and would minimize the chance to picking up background noise. We also considered moving the position of me and Chloe in an area so we were the furthest away from noisy people. 
We then went out and re-filmed. Once we got back we reviewed the new footage and found that we had eliminated most of the noise. This meant that the workshop had been a success and our predictions were right. The sound was a lot better and clearer. 
We worked well as a group and completed all the tasks. I am pleased with the work that we have produced and have learnt the importance that sound has on a piece.

Analyzing second footage

After reviewing the second footage that we filmed we found the new precautions that we took worked really well. In our first location we could hear each other well with no interruptions. In our second location there was still some wind and people walking past but because we use the tie mics you couldn't hear it. In our third location we were in a noisy classroom but you couldn't really hear much of the background noise, again this is because we tie mics. The only thing is you have to get them n the right place or one person will sound louder than the other.