Sound is major contributor to an entertaining movie experience. Sound is the audio aspect of the performance. Audio can be generally described as pertaining to everything audibly transmitted and perceived. In movies, there are many sounds to be heard. When we edit audio, we recognize that many sources of sound play an important part in the audience’s ability to be part of the movie. Three sources of sound that affect an audience’s sense of immersion are dialogue, sound effects, and music.
Dialogue is what is spoken between the characters. Movies usually involve multiple characters that interact with one another. It is the conversation between these characters that we as viewers overhear so we can better understand each character and their development. Dialogue is also used as a story-telling tool to drive the plot to the next major event. When we edit dialogue, we remove offensive language without awkward pauses or lip-reading. We preserve the emotion and purpose of the conversation.
The characters in a movie are not the only source of sound. Sounds are made by objects as well. There are many objects that can produce sound in a movie including engines, guns, doors, keyboards, and explosions. The sounds made by these and other objects are typically called sound effects. Our lives are filled with sound effects. Without these sounds, the audience would not be able to gain a true sense of immersion. When we edit any offensive content, we take special care to leave in the sense of immersion that comes from hearing sound effects.
Music helps an audience get a sense of immersion. It can produce an emotional reaction from the audience. This reaction allows movie viewers to get a sense of what it would feel like if they were in the movie. When we edit for offensive content, we preserve the music and the effect it has on the audience.
Audio editing means removing offensive content while maintaining the look and feel of the movie. It doesn’t mean only editing what you hear, but editing what you experience. This approach to audio editing produces the best possible result…a great movie experience!
