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"An Audiovisual Toolbox"
A big practical guide to the many ways of combining images with
sound!
Ray Lockett 2014
bio
Audio Visual Production ...How to start ?
...Which tools ? ...Advice to make it work
(So many different ways to show your images)
What do you want to know?
AV in 6o
Step 1
Advn
• Know your AUDIENCE FamilyCamera ClubCompetitions...
•Know your PURPOSEEntertainShowcase imagesMotivateDocument
APS Definition
Still vs Sequence
Stills
•Time-neutral•Viewer can contemplate for ages!•Freezes the subject matter in time •Stands alone on its content, not context•Composition vital!
Still vs Sequence
Sequences of images:
•Individual Composition may not matter •More than the sum of its component images •Introduces relationships between images and the element of
TIME, allowing a story or narrative•Allows for Sound:-
•Dialogue, Effects, Music…•Allows overlap/superimpose of 2 images (=> 3rd image)•Are actually mini-movies, TV ads, whatever you wish…
What Approach?
•Illustrate some music or a song with suitable images •Tell a fictional story with images through a timeline or narrative •Illustrate an abstract theme or idea (eg peace, joy, sadness, loss…)Show a "themed" collection of similar images
(faces / flowers / location / event…etc)•Document an event, place or person •Be humorous (Much harder!!)
Play Tom Beard
Which Genre?
Long-established Competition Categories are...
Music / Poetry / SongEssay / Theme / Fiction DocumentaryHumourNatural History
Sequences inhabit a different space- they are “Performances” or “Shows”
Recorded performances have:-
• Beginnings• Middles• Endings• “Chapters” perhaps?
Each Beginning and Ending should be recognisable and memorable -...The middle should be interesting too!
Communication tools :-
•Humour => entertained, attentive audience•Variety => keeps audience interested•Contrasts and Congruency•Journey of discovery (Take me somewhere…anywhere!)•“Forward Motion” •Tension + Release => Drama!!•Many plot devices•You now are the director of your own movie – Make the most of it!
Play Humour1 Play Humour2 Play Humour3
AV Sequence “control levers”
IMAGE controls:
•Order of images•Duration on screen•Relationship to last and next image -
•Fade rate •Transition type (fade / swipe / clock / doors etc…)•Two images screening together >> “3rd Image Effect”
•Movement•Pan, zoom, slide, etc...•These should be used sparingly and with a purpose!
Play 10Transitions Play Promos Play Promo with demos
AV Sequence “control levers”
SOUND controls:
•Live Sounds and ‘canned’ effects to set the scene•Music to set the mood, pace, reinforce the theme...
•OTHER controls:
•Don’t forget you can use on-screen TEXT!
How many & Which Images?As a guide, 5-7 secs per image used to be the rule with slides Have a good, strong beginning and also a definite endingIf any image is substandard, leave it out, (or keep very short)Keep all sequences as short as possible (you can shorten music!) Include some change, progression or “forward motion” of some form Vary the pace, point of view, fade speed etc to suit content and moodShort of images? –
Shoot more!, reveal parts of them first, or if you must, modify in PhotoShop to provide variety
Use movement, special effects and zooms sparingly, when appropriate!Above all try to maintain a logical theme whilst providing some variety
Rainforests
Use some Sound!•Music:
•Listen to Radio to get a taste •Commercial recordings
(ABC shop, Libraries, iTunes, )•Creative Commons music from many sites
•Live sound recordings •indoor/outdoor
•Dialogue - prose / poetry / narration•Sound Effects are fun...
•Try www.findsounds.com• ...not hard to make your own
•NB All sound quality must be good!
Big spender
Which Music?
Keep it short …LIMIT is 7 MINUTES in some comps For variety – use 2 or more pieces!Keep it genericAvoid known associations Mood / pace / rhythm has to fitLook for changes and suitable rhythms Cadence: 1-4 seconds for fade synchronisationListen with your eyes closed…ask others
Timing and endings
How to end that brilliant set of images?•Fade out...•End when the music ends•Tailor the music or sound track to required duration•Reprise the early images or sounds•Build some climax or tension then resolve it•Bring up the credits!•Combination of the above
Play Sound advice
Decide if the soundtrack will determine the timing of the images or just be a background…
•Basic Image Portfolio •Simple Non-fictional Documentary
Here the music is just providing a setting or mood, •Don’t need a script•Select to suit the approx duration of your image sequence, •Fine-tune the images to fit the music track. •You can shorten tracks (fade-out, remove verses etc)
Do I…Prepare a script ?
•Narrative Documentary or Themed Essay
•The story drives the images and sound, so may want to use a storyboard•If narrated, record the voice separately, then mix later•Multiple music tracks can provide variety & progression•Wild sound recordings mixed in add atmosphere•Sound effects can be used sparingly
Do I…Prepare a script ?
SchonellJudgment day
Competition Assessment Criteria...From APS
• AUDIENCE APPEAL: The ability to entertain, educate or stimulate the intended audience.•CONCEPT: The idea, theme of story style, originality and development of theme to sustain interest.•NARRATIVE: Skill in expressing thoughts and communicating ideas.•PRESENTATION: Choice of suitable fade rates, the timing to sound fading techniques and special effects.
•MUSIC: Selection and suitability to “set the scene” and convey mood.•SOUND EFFECTS: Selection and ability to create the appropriate atmosphere.•NARRATION: Suitability of voice. Quality of delivery.•RECORDING : Skill in laying down and combining the elements of sound.
•QUALITY: Technical quality of all images, including titles and graphics.•CONTENT: Choice of subject matter and the ability to illustrate the concept.•SEQUENCING: Arrangement and progression of images in regard to format, colour, tone and brilliance.•TRANSITIONS: Skill in creating transitions between images for effect
