The project is in production therefore the collaborative process is an ongoing experience. As they produce screen media footage, I will create sound design and Foley. Collaboratively, combining screen media with auditory media resulting in an audiovisual work. I am excited to work in this way as I get to see the entire production and can voice my creative input on the project.
Time-Line
The animation course submission date is 25th April 2024 and their graduation show dates are 14th-19th June while my unit submission date is the 30th of May therefore I am assessed on the created media but not on being a part of the animation graduation experience.
Format Sharing Media
Google Drive is the chosen platform for how we grant each other access to files and showcase our progress. Using Google Drive I am updated with the newest version to create sound.
Production
Here is an example, where the animators have turned their sketch draft into a filmed piece of media, which then gets sent to me to create sound design for.
Before
After
Sound Design
Behind the Scenes: Sound Design
To create the sound design, I used microphones from the University orb to record at home, sounds imitating the happening rings on the screen.
I have challenged myself to record my own sounds for the entire project. Sanken 50 wired using XLR in/outputs into an H5 zoom recorder has been a successful setup gathering a library of sounds.
DAW
Logic Pro 2
Logic Pro 2 is the chosen DAW I will be using to edit the audio for this project as I am the most familiar with and skilled in using it.
Second Meeting
Reflection
Communication has been great as a team we have a WhatsApp group chat that we update regularly as well as arrange in-person meetings to discuss progression.
Another successful meeting however this time we met in the sound composition room because I wanted the team to experience sound at a high-quality playback through the Genelec speakers. The TV is also a great space to see the animation enlarged. I was introduced to John, the music composer and we had a successful in-depth conversation about how to merge sound design and foley with music composition and how we can complement each other within the world of sound reflecting the emotions of the character and the story.
With the knowledge I gained throughout my university experience, I was comfortable discussing integral ideas furthering the success of the project, for example, keeping the mix tidy, being aware when the mix is becoming muddy as the frequency range fills up and questioning when the music tells the story? Understanding the difference between neutral and non-netrule music. Me and Jon collaboratively worked well bouncing ideas off each other to further benefit the project.
Foley
For a fun activity, I got the team involved as Foley artists. They very much enjoyed it and it created a closer bond between the team. I use the remaining time left. I had booked in the composition studio after the meeting finished to experiment with Foley with the team.
I set up the Foley studio with a multi-microphone set-up, vocal and shotgun microphones for experimenting to analyse a mixture of sound quilty. The shotgun microphone was the most successful and captured some amazing Foley recordings.
In reflection, this was a minimally successful practical experiment however very successful as a team-building tool. We managed to use materials to create the illusion of windy curtains.
Solo Foley Artist & Engineer
Fortunately, I was able to create a working environment in which I could work solo because I struggled to find any help however, I really enjoyed being in control of the engineering whilst being the foley artist.
The shotgun microphone worked amazingly and captured some amazing Foley feet tracks.
Luckily there was previously a speaker at hand to playback my Foley recordings at a high quilty of playback because the headphones the university provides are not that great quality. Using a Focusrite and XLR cables I wired up my laptop, speakers and microphones to a fully working functioning solo system/environment.
raw
edited
I intentionally used a high cut to create the illusion that the footsteps are coming from behind the wall. Here the sound design tells the story as the character in the shot is hopeful she hears her mum’s return however it’s her domestic helper.
All examples of feet track recordings,
Conclusion
I am off the a great start by beginning the sound design and Foley, the progression of the project is exciting, therefore motivating to me to strategise how to continue. I will further build my library using my spotting notes and continue to experiment with manipulating audio for an immersive experience in the world of animation. I realised the extent and effort needed however I am excited and challenged, as starting from zero audio I am tasked with creating an entire world with sound design.