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October 29, 2010

The Creative Process of a Sound Technician

This is a Creative Process that a Sound Technician would need to go through.
1.       Read the script to get a feel for the era and location the production is set in.
2.       Listen to various sound effects for example footsteps or animals.
3.       Research the time period the production is set in so you know which sounds fit with the time.
4.       Research the location of the production so you know how the sounds will sound for example, footsteps will sound different in a wood than they will in a cave.
5.       Learn how to use all the features of the software you’re using although you will probably have an idea or know already.
6.       Edit the chosen sound effects and music and edit them to the right length.  You can also put effects on them like echo’s or repeating them.
7.       Cue up the effects and music in the order it will appear in the production.
8.        Learn all the cues so you know the order so you can double check the accuracy and also the timings on when to play the next track.
9.        Set up all the throat mics being used in the production.  This might mean leaving some in a specific place backstage as some performers may only need a mic halfway through a performance.  Also make sure all the mics correspond with the sliders that turn them on up in the sound booth.
10.  Some times in a performance, a musical instrument is used on the stage by a performer for example, a guitar.  You need to next set up mics on any instruments being used.
11.  Test all the equipment being used in the performance.  This is very important as this is a health and safety check which defines the safety of the performers onstage.

Case Study
The task is to create the music and sound effects for a market place set in the 1800’s Britain.
You have to...
·         Research what the 1800’s in Britain was like by...
o   Looking at pictures of the time and place
o   Visit current markets and contrast/compare them to the production

You want to take the audience to the time and place with the music.  Try to use the most relevant sound effects/music to give them the best experience.
You have the same target audience in this scene as who the whole production is aimed at.  This will affect the style as it will have to fit in with the rest of the production.

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