1304 Sound Design

Sound designers are responsible for the creation of the sound environment of a production. Working with the director, sound designers selects appropriate music, records sound effect cues, and select scene change and preshow music. Each designer must be able to create a CD and back-up CD for the show. During rehearsals, the designer with the director must set sound levels and specific cues. As cues will change, the designer must be able to remake disks with refinements.

There will be several sound designers for the Matchbox Production this semester. Each designer will prepare the sound for their scenes. Since everyone will act, sound will be run by designers from other scenes.

The Cafe Theatre has a playback sound system. Use the CLT or a home program to record your CDs. Designers can use the Drama Dept.'s BBC Sound Effect Collection.

The deadlines for this design responsibility are listed on the Production Calendar. For the sake of your production, you should intergrate sound into the rehearsal as quickly as possible. It makes a big difference in Razavi plays.

1. Comply a list of Razavi scripted music references during scenes and in-between scenes. Willy is very specific about what he hears as a playwright. If changes are considered, they must be in consultation with the director/playwright.
2. Are there references in the plays to specific movie or television theme songs, for example, the LAW & ORDER sound track or STAR WARS credits? How might you obtain these sound signatures?
3. For transitions, listen and observe the way a transition fades in and out. Listen to the way the TV show fades out of a scene and into a commercial. What music should play in-between each scene? Should it comment on the previous scene or set the energy for the next?
4. What are internal sound effects? What sounds underscore a moment in a movie, a commercial, a mood? What other effects are called for? Chain saw, cow mooing, electrical shocks, submarine sounds, ship fog horns, ... etc.
5. Is there any dancing in the productions? The performers will need their music to learn their dance. Are there reoccurring sounds which demand actor reactions on stage which might be introduced early in the rehearsal process. .
6. It appears as if this class has several musicians in its ranks. Perhaps more than I am aware. Is there value in looking at a musical combo to accompany a scene? a guitar? an accordin?
7. What else should be considered in this production?