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Welcome back!
This is the Write Well Series where you get equipped with the skills you need to minister through writing.
This time we are looking into the sound that accompanies your stories in film.
§ Are you keen to make your story more emotive?
§ Do you find that certain scenes fall flat?
§ Would you like to draw your viewer into your plots?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then, “Selecting Music and Sound Effects” is for you.
PERSON BEFORE PURPOSE
We want to serve as faithful stewards and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. However, we cannot afford to put the work of the Lord above the Lord of the work. That would be like the proverbial saying of putting the cart before the horse. His person must come first in our lives before His purpose. Even as we develop our creative writing skills to serve, we must love His written Word: this is the express revelation of His person. His person precedes our purpose.
SELECTING MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS
The right soundtrack will help you bring your stories to life. Skillful story depiction includes selecting the tone, genre, pace, and volume of music that moves the story in the intended direction.
Is there any mystery or anticipation in your screen? Consider the use of suspense chords or tension-inducing music. Is there something dramatic going on? Match it with appropriate music.
A tender scene mismatched with a fast-paced dramatic soundtrack, for example, ends up putting the viewer off.
The repetition of information is a useful technique in getting a message to stick. Nonetheless, its overuse in soundtracks can be grating on the listener. As an example, imagine a film titled “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.” If the phrase “a stitch in time, it’s a stitch in time, ooh a stitch in time…” is sung over and over in the background, it soon grates on the viewer, and detracts from the film’s intended story.
Music should enhance the feel of each scene where it is being used. This can also be done by using sound effects called Foley Sound. This is the variant of sound that is designed to blend with the soundtrack and to fill in the missing sound. For example, doorsteps, chewing, birds singing, wind blowing, doors closing, etc. These sounds must correlate with the on-screen movement.
Foley sound is recorded during the post-production phase of a film.
As storytellers and filmmakers, let’s bear in mind that sometimes less is more. Some scenes are enhanced by the absence of background music. This means complete background silence.
CALL TO ACTION
§ Google search “Soundtracks” and “Foley Sound.” Read articles or watch YouTube videos about it.
§ Watch Damilola Mike Bamiloye’s film “Abattoir” and listen to the soundtrack and sound effects.
§ Experiment with sound to draw your viewer into your plots.
§ Place Person before purpose. Intentionally keep the Lord of the work above the work of the Lord.
Use sound to enhance your viewers’ experience and make your story come alive!
Be sure to join us next time for another tool in the Write Well Series. Let’s be equipped to serve.
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