Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1524736
C I N E M A A U D I O S O C I E T Y. O R G 25 Cityscape from Blade Runner Without getting into a philosophical discussion about AI (artificial intelligence), I asked ChatGPT to write a mysterious opening scene to a movie that has a heavy focus on sound. The result, I believe, demonstrates how sound—when properly incorporated into the script—can telegraph story elements without dialogue or extensive visual cues. Throughout time, sound has played an important role in human survival. A combination of physiological and psychological factors influences how our bodies react to certain sounds. A soothing sound can trigger the release of various hormones in the brain, such as dopamine, while a sudden sharp or loud sound can activate our fight-or-flight response, creating fear or urgency. Our brains are hardwired to remember narratives much better than isolated facts. Storytelling is literally in our DNA. It allows us to connect as a species, fostering empathy, building community, and understanding our place in the world. But they also provide a valuable escape, allowing us to experience a life outside our own. In film and television, elements like character, environment, dialogue, and plot can all work in conjunction with the main action to enhance our subliminal interpretation of the story. So, what are the ways we as mixers can maximize storytelling on our projects? One thing I have found helpful when approaching sound for a project is to think about each character and what makes them unique. How can we utilize sound to telegraph these characteristics in a way that adds depth and realism to a character in the story? Amplified Foley or use of a linked sound effect can call attention to certain physical or emotional characteristics. Darth Vader's distinct breathing in Star Wars signifies his menacing presence, but also hints at his dependence on a life-support system that leaves him vulnerable. The clicking sound of the captive bolt pistol Chigurh uses in No Country for Old Men signals his dissociated and mechanical detachment from human life. Since characters rarely exist in a vacuum, designing their environment can add emotional context. Varying the content and volume of the ambience tracks can create tension, highlight a dramatic moment, or work in conjunction with the narrative to provide subliminal cues that reinforce where the characters are physically and emotionally. The constant hum of futuristic city noises in Blade Runner, for example, build a dystopian environment for Rick Deckard to inhabit, informing the audience how bleak and oppressive his world is. The way dialogue is mixed can also be used to help reinforce story points. Increasing volume or adjusting spatial positioning can create movement or enhance the presence of a character in the scene. Reverb can place you inside the character's head, glue them to the environment, or even separate them from it. Designing audio from a character's POV by muffling or amplifying sounds that are significant to them can help build depth and emotional impact. Films like The Matrix, A Beautiful Mind, and Fight Club all employ adjustments like EQ, filtering,