14/12/2011 - Sound

As we have had some issues with filming due to weather and members of the group and our actresses having exams we have been unable to film consistently in the past few weeks. In the meantime, we have focused on researching the sound and music that we will use in our film trailer. We used the microphone to record the sounds that we created by connecting it into the camera to save these noises. We used the dead cat to enhance the sound picked up by the microphone and an extendable holder so we can change the distance of the microphone from what it was picking up.

Firstly, we recreated the sound of footsteps for our main character, Lily, as she is initially walking back at a regular pace and then speeds up to a rapid movement as she is running away from her attacker. In the video, you will notice that we recorded one of the members of our group walking along a bed of leaves and grass which really brings out the crunchiness of the leaves and produces natural footstep noises. However, when recording the sound of the microphone being tapped can be heard therefore we cannot use this sound clip.
                                               
            

 Video Clip 1: Attempt at recording footsteps on grass and leaves.  As mentioned previously, we found this clip to be unsuccessful because of the sound of the microphone knocking which would distract the audience listening to the trailer.

Video Clip 2: Second attempt to recreate footsteps, closer up and pace of walking picks up. We found that this re-recording of the sound that we were trying to create was more successful but did not create enough of a realistic impact that we wanted.

Video Clip 3: Picking up leaving and crumpling them.

Our final attempt was the most successful as we were able to control the speed of the crumpling sound being made. It was easier and more efficient to use this method.

The YouTube video that I have included shows a similar sound to the noise of footsteps on leaves that we created by crumpling them. When researching how to make realistic sound effects we found this video and decided that this would be the appropriate method to produce natural sounding footsteps.