AUDIO RESEARCHTips On Making Sound

1. Find the right trailer composer

2. Pick the music early on

3. Draw inspiration from others

4. It’s all about rhythm

5. Use sound effects

6. Keep it short

7. Let the music guide you

8. Use trailer music to create contrasts

9. Make your trailer look as good as it sounds

10. That trailer voice

According to The Epic Sound Blog there are 10 tips to follow when creating audio for a trailer.

http://www.epicsound.com/2013/04/music-for-trailers/

4. It’s All About Rhythm

One tip that I think it key to think about is the fourth tip.

‘A key ingredient in a great trailer is getting the rhythm right in your editing and in the sync between sound and visuals. Cutting out a beat somewhere or doing a sloppy edit because you have to transition to the next scene can really ruin an otherwise great trailer. Remember: You only have a very short time to make an impression, so make sure you polish everything as much as you can.’

I think that by matching my audio to the editing pace it creates a whole package and the two elements are no longer separate. For example I can create a very fast paced audio that could be synched with fast paced editing and if the audio were suddenly to stop, the editing could copy and halt on one shot. This happens a lot with comedies as it emphasizes one particularly funny line to entice the audience.

8. Use Trailer Music To Create Contrasts

‘If there’s a sudden change in mood or tempo in your trailer, it can be worth using several music tracks to clearly mark the shift or contrast. Just make sure you get the transition right, tempo-wise.’

I think that due to the hybrid genre of superhero/comedy, changes of mood and atmosphere are important. For example in Kickass, when focusing on the more serious protagonists such as Big Daddy, the music is far more similar to real superhero genres, whereas when we are meeting comical characters such as Kickass himself, or Red Mist, the music is far more fun and lighthearted. I could do that to provide contrast between protagonists and antagonists, or the mixed emotions between being in a costume and being a regular teenager.

10. That Trailer Voice

‘Chances are you’ll include some voice-over in your trailer too – and you’ll want to get this right to complete your trailer soundscape.’

One aspect I hadn’t considered in my trailer is a voiceover. Realistically I wouldn’t be able to provide a low pitched male ‘trailer voiceover’. However I could provide an ‘in character monologue’ which could be any voice at all, usually the main character. I’ll need to run a few tests to make sure there’s no noise in the background as this can be apparent in low quality equipment such as cameras without a proper microphone plugged in.