Real World Digital Video, Second Edition

Chapter Seven. Sound on the Set

Many people think of film and video as visual media, but moviemakers understand that the soundtrack is incredibly important, too. Images carry much of the story's emotion and power, but dialogue imparts a presentation's information, while the music and sound effects enrich the whole experience.

Consider what happens when you mute the sound on a television program. You might see the characters in heated disagreement, but you'd have no idea what caused their tempers to flare or what's at stake.

Now turn the sound back on and walk into the next room. If you can still hear the dialogue, you'll understand most of what's going on. Even if the program is highly graphic—a battle scene, for example—dialogue gives you key ...