| Unit name | The Art of Film Sound |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATVM0029 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Massoumi |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit aims to explore the art and techniques of film sound in order to equip students with a critical understanding of sound recording and sound design, informed and enriched by creative practice. Students will engage with theories of film sound and examine examples of a variety of techniques and methodologies from relevant screen media including diegetic and non-diegetic sound, dialogue and narration, sound effects, background and music. Students will be able to enhance sound recording techniques, as well as gain experience in using sound design tools and experiment with ideas through practical work in order to develop a greater understanding of the creative possibilities enabled by the technology. Through critical reflection on the creative process, students will be able to gain a deeper knowledge of sound’s expressive and narrative functions, as well as intellectual insights into the implications and meanings of the selection, laying and construction of the audio track and its dialectical relationship with the moving image.
On successful completion of this unit, students will:
1. Be able to demonstrate knowledge of key theories of film-sound;
2. Have a critical understanding of the expressive and narrative function of film sound;
3. Have a practical grasp of a variety of sound recording and sound design techniques
4. Be able to demonstrate a practical knowledge of sound recording and design technology, methods and tools
Weekly 2-hour seminar/workshop
Weekly 3-hour screening/workshop
Sound design practical piece, up to 10 min (50%)
2500-word reflexive account (50%)
Altman, R.B. 1992. Sound theory, sound practice. Psychology Press.
Belton, J. and Weis, E. eds. 1985. Film Sound: Theory and Practice. Columbia University Press.
Chion, M. 1994. Audio-vision: Sound on Screen. Columbia University Press.
Chion, M. 2009. Film, a Sound Art. New York: Columbia University Press.
LoBrutto, V. 1994. Sound-on-film: Interviews with Creators of Film Sound. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Sider, L., Sider, J. and Freeman, D. eds. 2003. Soundscape: the School of Sound lectures, 1998-2001. Wallflower Press.
Yewdall, D.L. 2012. Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound. Routledge.
