Better with Sound
All projects need to be heard, from static photos and graphics to podcasts and engaging videos. Creating a unique sound space is essential to setting the mood. I don’t mean adding music or noticeable sound effects; I’m talking about the soundscape you subconsciously feel. If you notice it, it may need to be mixed better.
As a director of photography, my focus is primarily on the visuals. However, I also recognize that the consumer of the content is not always watching with eyes glued to the screen. Often, they are just listening to the story. I frequently challenge my designers to present me with a visual journey with no picture and guide me with natural sounds through the story. If, in the end, it’s the same story, same emotion, same idea, we have succeeded. Adding the pictures back in, the finished video becomes fulfilling and informative, transformative, and a multi-sensory experience.
Using Adobe Audition to edit sound is extremely similar to using the audio tracks we will cover in the next unit on video editing.
When I put together my 45-second interview, I was thinking a little out of the box for this assignment. I employed interview skills and sound-gathering skills I knew I would need, and I even did several impromptu interviews so I could have a variety of clips to choose from. I only used my iPhone with the app “Voice Recorder.” I use it a lot for work, and it’s my go-to with an old-school VU meter for monitoring.
I would love to hear your thoughts on what I should podcast or create an audio or video story on! Please share your ideas in the comments below.
Below are the rest of the edits for the NRS592 Emerging Media Outreach in Natural Resources class.
