Task 7 – Terminator

Task 7 – Sound Effects

Report

My objective was to create sound effects for a short sequence in Terminator 2.
I wanted to be as subtle as possible to highlight the background sounds, without overstating their importance, so as to keep the listeners attention on the foreground. I have been influenced by musician/foley artist Amon Tobin and the way he used found sounds for a concept album The Foley Room (2007), also by the industry standard sounds that are sometimes from completely unrelated sound sources. But I don’t feel I have used any particular style or technique, I have just tried to use sounds I feel the listener would recognise when given the visual aid of the sound source.
I have used the time stretching tool technique to transform some sounds, for example the opening of a coke can is the movement of the robotic arm. I learnt to take care in trying to direct the attention onto the sounds in the foreground, so the background sounds can be processed subconsciously. Studying how sounds have become industry standard, without being close to the real sound, especially because they have been woven in so we don’t question it, has influenced me to be creative with my use of sound. I would give myself about 50% for this because I could have researched more into the techniques and tips of how to create better and more believable work as a foley artist, as well as the subtleties that go into it.

References

Amon Tobin, (2007). The Foley Room [CD]. London: Ninja Tune

Samples all downloaded under the CCL from Freesound.org

futureprobe – flicker_001.wav (light flicker)

DJ Chronos – Boom.wav (Booming Crash)

digifishmusic – Factory Sounds – Lens Making Production Line.mp3 (ambient factory noise)

MaxWiley – crackle.aif (old scratched record crackling)

Razzvio – Metal squeaking chair.wav

Razzvio – Rotating Metal Fan.wav

Razzvio – Welding Torch 2.wav

DJ Burnham – Lizard eye blink.mp3

digifishmusic – Electric_Screwdriver.wav

digifishmusic – Electric Roller Door DOWN.wav

JasonElrod – Lighter.aif (a lighter)

acoley – brushing.wav (hand rubbing against a leather couch)

guitarguy1985 – coffeegrinder.wav

acclivity – WheelNutAirGun2.wav

Tomlija – cola can opening.wav

jaava73 – gate_1.wav (squeaking gate)

LG – Industrial23.wav (hydraulics noise)

HardPCM – Alarm001.wav