SHORT
FILM
PROJECT DURATION: 2 MONTHS
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Our five minute abstract film delves into the profound exploration of coping with trauma and navigating the various stages of grief across multiple dimensions, while displaying our skills in cinematography, editing, and sound design. At its core, the narrative revolves around the protagonist, who grapples with the fracturing of identity and the emergence of anxiety and depression stemming from traumatic experiences. Serving as both the protagonist and antagonist, the man confronts his own mental instability, presenting a abstract portrayal of the inner struggles associated with trauma. The audience is prompted to interpret whether the events unfold as projections of the protagonist's mind into the world, a form of escapism through 'universe hopping,' or manifestations of fears through imagination. Ultimately, the film poses a poignant question of whether the man can overcome his inner turmoil and liberate himself from the role of a victim.
LEARNINGS.
This project's sound design process brought to light the critical importance that unique audio cues play in enhancing the overall viewer experience and reiterating the abstract character of the film. We discovered that well selected sounds were essential for both illustrating the protagonist's emotional journey and facilitating smooth transitions between universes. The importance of an integrated audio-visual approach was emphasized through collaborative integration with graphic elements such as 2D animation and color grading. Creating distinctive sound signatures, like the sound connected to butterflies in the "happy/innocent" universe, has shown to be useful in helping audiences associate particular feelings.
Throughout the iterative process, adaptability to feedback emerged as a key lesson, allowing for the refinement of sound elements to create a memorable and immersive auditory landscape that complemented the film's thematic complexities.
INSPIRATION.
Inspired by the Korean drama "A Daily Dose Of Sunshine," the film encapsulates its theme with the resonant phrase, "We are all on the borderline between sanity and insanity." In the context of today's fast-paced society, the narrative seeks to destigmatize mental health by portraying intense emotions, aiming not to instill fear but to resonate with audiences. It underscores the power of creative outlets in normalizing societal taboos surrounding mental health, urging an abstract reflection on the neglected thoughts and feelings that can simmer until they demand acknowledgment.
THE TEAM.
TEAM SIZE
Three dedicated individuals collaborated seamlessly, pooling their creative talents and technical expertise to bring their cinematic vision to life on the silver screen.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The sound designer crafted immersive audio, the director orchestrated shots, and the camera operator expertly captured the visual narrative, resulting in a captivating film.
MY WORK
Immersed in the realm of sound, as the sound designer, I meticulously crafted every auditory detail, infusing the film with depth and emotion, captivating audiences with a symphony of sound. I also assisted in creating animation effects, producing, and editing the film.
PROCESS.
To capture the immersive soundscape essential for our film, I undertook the meticulous process of recording most of the various audio elements myself. The crunching of footsteps on different surfaces, the rhythmic pulse of running, the deliberate cadence of heavy breathing, all were meticulously captured to authentically convey the visceral experiences of the characters. To evoke a sense of reality within the film's abstract framework, I recorded ambient sounds, such as the low hum of a television set, adding layers of authenticity to the auditory atmosphere. These recorded sounds were thoughtfully integrated into the film, aligning with the visual effects to enhance the overall narrative.
This hands-on approach not only ensured a unique and tailored auditory experience but also allowed for a seamless fusion of sound and visuals, contributing to the film's immersive storytelling and emotional resonance. The audios that I retrieved from the internet were three of the glitch sounds, and the soundtrack during the climax as well. The rest of the sounds used in this film were originally recorded, and mixed by me.
ADDITION OF SOUND DURING EDITING
CHALLENGES FACED.
The tedious process of sound editing turned into an essential task to guarantee a well-balanced combination of audio and visual components. It was a difficult but necessary challenge to precisely time the synchronization of over 60 different sounds in a fast-paced editing technique that captured an immense number of occurrences. A keen eye for detail was required due to the film's complexity and the scenes' quick edit. To enhance the immersive experience, every stride, breath, and background sound had to be precisely timed to correspond with the events that were taking place on screen.
An extra level of intricacy was created by balancing the complicated choreography of these sounds while staying in time with the dynamic visual effects. The process, though tedious, was very crucial to the success of the film, allowing for a seamless integration of sound that enhanced the film's intensity, emotional impact, and narrative cohesion.
OVERCOMING
CHALLENGES.
It took a combination of strategic planning and inventive problem-solving to overcome the difficulties presented by the complex sound editing process. Understanding the nuances of the film's fast-paced editing approach, I created a detailed timeline that acted as a visual reference for timing sounds to particular visual signals. Using a layered approach, I broke down the scenes into discrete sound elements and progressively built up the aural landscape to manage the intricacy of simultaneous happenings. I first started with the background sounds, things such as ambience, wind-blowing, and soundtrack. Then, I slowly filled the rest in, and finally ending on character voices and abstract sounds.
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Due to the extensive usage of more than 60 sounds, a methodical organization plan was necessary, and each sound's contribution to strengthening the story was carefully considered. Grouping each sound into its different layers and uses helped me efficiently access the sounds I required for the right parts in the film. This systematic approach, coupled with creative adaptability, ultimately allowed for the successful navigation of the challenges, resulting in a finely tuned auditory experience that enriched the overall impact of the film.
SOUND ORGANIZATION
SOUND GROUPING AND EDITING
