IGCSE Cambridge Drama - Exploring sound.pptx

IGCSE Cambridge Drama Year 10 SOW

1. Exploring sound LO: Consider the various sound effects and how they can add to a performance.

2. Sound Sound involves the addition of noises or music played while a scene is happening on stage or during a scene transition. This can be recorded sound played through speakers, or live sounds created either onstage or backstage. As with lighting, sound can be a very useful element in developing mood and atmosphere.

3. Next time you watch a film, identify any sound effects or background music underscoring the scenes. Ask yourself:

4. What type of genre do you think this music if from? Music One Music Two Music Three Music Four Music Five

5. Sound effects in movies A horror film, for example, often relies on sound to build suspense and make you jump. A comedy may include funny noises to exaggerate comic moments. So too in the theatre, sound is a useful tool to help communicate to an audience.

6. Key terms

7. When considering sound, it is important to make sure that it fits in with the style and genre of the piece. Remember that sound in drama is not restricted to recorded effects. If your piece is highly stylised or physical, it may be more effective to use live or vocal sound effects. MINI TASK:  Write down 4 or 5 ways in which you could use your voice for sound.

8. Sound effects Sound effects can be simple everyday noises such as a knock on the door or perhaps more extreme like a gunshot. The need for these sorts of effects are usually written into a script and often played through speakers using a sound desk to control the length and volume levels.

9. Note down all the individual sounds you hear, such as cars, footsteps or birds.

10. Imagine that you have been asked to design the sound for a busy street scene. Decide which sounds you would use if you needed to create a soundscape (a layered sound picture or story) for your scene.

11. Now imagine that within that scene, two lovers spot each other after a lengthy time apart. How might you 'show' that emotion through sound? It will help to visualise the scene in your head. Consider the following:  All sound completely stops until they touch Music suddenly cuts in Music fades in gently as the street sounds fade out (a cross fade). The sound simply continues as before Which option do you like best? Did you have any other ideas that you could note down? Justify why you chose the option you did.

12. Look back Look again at the stage directions from A Streetcar Named Desire. The playwright has specified some music, but what other sounds do you think should be used and when? Will your sound design include live or recorded sound effects, or both? Note your decisions down.

13. Reflect Can you add sound effects to your performance pieces that are useful and appropriate? Can you use sound to mark moments within a scene and heighten emotional intensity? Can you develop soundscapes, if needed, to imply setting? This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC .