Music and sound effects play important roles in filmmaking. Music can establish the mood of a scene. It can build suspense, suggest intrigue or reveal a secret. Films use different types of music. The soundtrack is a selection of songs used with a film, while a score is a piece of music made to be used especially with that film. Meanwhile, sound effects are any sounds, other than speech or music, that are used in a film. Sound effects can be dramatic – for example, they can make an explosion sound louder and more realistic. Sound effects can also be subtle – for example, they can be used to work everyday actions, like walking, eating and breathing, into a scene. (See page 194.) Both music and sound effects help filmmakers to bring their stories to life on-screen.
COMMUNICATION MANAGING MYSELF
Check your understanding Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), directed by Ben Zeitlin, features wonderful music and startling sound effects. View the clip and answer the questions that follow. Link: Beasts of the Southern Wild Feed Up Time Film Clip Search Terms: Beasts of the Southern Wild Feed Up Time Film Clip 1. Watch the clip with the sound off – make a list of sounds you think you will hear when you watch with the sound on.
LITERACY BEING CREATIVE MANAGING INFORMATION AND THINKING 68
2. Watch with the sound on. Check which sounds you correctly guessed would be in the scene. Add in any more that you notice. 3. What kind of music is used in this scene? R E E L
WORKING WITH OTHERS
4. What do you think the use of music adds to this scene? R E E L NUMERACY
