WATCH LIST

This is a watch list recommended by out tutor. It's mostly to understand how the sound is used within the film and help develop our ideas of what we can do for task 2. This list will be updated on a weekly basis and once I have seen the film, I will put an ' [X] ' next to it and write about it. 

• Under The Skin
• Upstream Colour                                       [X]
• Hannibal
• Legend
• Berberian Sound Studio
• High-Rise
• The Returned 
• The Void
• Sound of Noise
• Gravity 
• Killing Them Softly 

Things to consider when watching

• How sound introduces the main characters
• How sound is used to create different moods
• Sonic style (is it naturalistic, densely layered, abstract, rarified, minimal)
• How acousmatic sound is used (sound you hear but can't hear the source)
• Auditory signature (a signifying sound e.g Jaws - 2 notes)
• How did they do it

ZOOM H5

This year, we are using the zoom H5 which is a big upgrade from the zoom H4. I really like the H5 because:

• It has less handling noise compared to the H4
• It has interchangeable mic capsules that can be changed easily
• You can record 4 channels of audio 
• Its lighter in weight and easier to hold

The menu navigation is similar to the H4 making it easy use, if you have used the H4. There are other deep technical difference which make it superior to the H4 but its additional information. I look forward to use it once we start filming for our projects and field recordings.  

PARABOLIC MICROPHONE

This microphone uses a reflector to collect and reflect sound waves onto the microphone (receiver) in the centre. They are very good in capturing sounds in one direction from a far distance. They work the same way as a satellite dish does with radio waves. They are mostly used for wildlife recordings, eavesdropping (law enforcement) and field audio like sports. 

If I decide to do a piece which involves outdoor recording, I will definitely be using this microphone. Just to be careful, there are health and safety precautions to take with this microphone. Take care not to bend the dish or place it near any heated surface. If you take the dish off, place it on a flat surface where it wont get damaged. 

DEEP LISTENING

This exercise was enlightening. When watching a film with sound, you are guided into it and how your supposed to feel. By taking out the sight and hearing the sounds on its on, the experience is different. Your mind creates all sort of visuals to try and make sense of the sounds you are hearing. This makes you think more about the sound and how its working with the visuals. You can feel the mood of the film through the rhythm and create a basis of understanding. When you finally watch it with the visuals, you will get the full understanding. Maybe you guessed it right or wrong. 

I will continue doing this exercise with different films by listening for 5 minutes from any scene and write what I think about it and then watch the whole film. I will put a list of the films below and a few lines of what I thought about it. This will be updated on a weekly basis.