SONIC PROJECT - FINAL PROJECT

Week 9 - Week 14 (18/10/2021 - 28/11/2021)

Farissa Eryna (0336814)

Sonic Design

Final Project - Silent Movie Audio / Game Audio

INSTRUCTIONS

Final Project - Silent Movie / Game Audio

Week 9 (25.10.2021)

For our final project, Mr. Razif gave us a brief on it and showed us some of our seniors' work. We were given two choices for our final project which is to choose between the "Silent Movie Audio" or "Game Audio".  This project required us to create the sound and bring the video to life without any background music as well as dialogues. 

We were told that we needed to create our own background music using "Bandlab". 

Week 11 (01.11.2021)

For this week, Mr. Razif showed us on the difference between film audio and game audio so that we've a clear idea on which one to go for. He then showed us how to use certain features in Adobe Audition.

Features showed:

Effect - Generate - Tones (suitable for game audio)

Effect - Phaser (sci-fi effect)

Effect - Flanger (robotic sound)

Pitch shifter - Pitch bender (lower audio's frequency)

Editing process:

To begin with this project, I began with choosing which type of audio I would want to go for. I chose the "Silent Movie Audio". Firstly I referred to the google drive shared by Mr Razif that consists of the choices of silent movies. 

- Choices of Silent Movies

- Choices of Games

I decided to go for "the cameraman" silent movie. Below is the video:

As we were told to produce our own sounds and not take from any online websites, I had to come up with several ways on how to produce a particular sound I want. Below are some of the objects I used to produce my own sound:

Fig 1.1 Objects used to produce my own sounds

Fig 1.2 Objects used: Hammer

For the background music, since we could not download or take from any websites online, we were told to use Bandlab. I used the piano instrument to come up with several sounds that I think would be suitable for the silent movie. I used simple keys to create the sounds.

Fig 1.3 Bandlab Editing Process

At first, I was quite confused on how to come up with a few simple chords sound but I had some time to play around with the piano. I also referred to some videos online for simple piano keys. This is my first time using BandLab.

Fig 1.4 Bandlab editing process - Exporting audio

After I recorded my own sounds, I proceeded to import the audio files into Adobe Audition to do further editing and clean up the audios.

Adobe Audition Editing Process:

Fig 1.5 Importing all the sounds

After importing all the necessary sounds, I began editing scene by scene. I applied the relevant techniques such as noise reduction, parametric equalizer and so on.

Fig 1.6 Layering the sounds - Editing scene 1

Fig 1.7 Noise Reduction for one of the audios

Fig 1.8 Applying parametric equalizer

After completing the sound editing in Adobe Audition, I proceeded to Premiere Pro to include the silent movie video. 

Premiere Pro Editing Process

Fig 1.9 Premiere Pro - Scene 1 Editing

Fig 1.10 Premiere Pro - Adding in relevant audio effects

For certain audios, I had to manually decrease or increase the volume in Premiere Pro.

Fig 1.11 Premiere Pro - Adjusting volume

After completing all the editing in Premiere Pro, I exported the final video.

Fig 1.12 Premiere Pro - Exporting final video

Final Outcome:

Final Project - Silent Movie Audio

Reflection: I began my final project later than my other classmates as I had faced some personal issues and that made me so worried. I almost deferred this module after submitting Project 1 and 2, but after getting some advices and thinking about it I decided to really give my best and push harder. I convinced myself to be mentally stronger so I could finish this project. Since the start of this module, I was actually really looking forward for the final project as I saw the seniors' work. It was really interesting. 

During the editing process, I faced some issues such as editing the noise reduction and finding the suitable objects to record my own sound effects. Luckily, I had help from my seniors and they shared their experience completing this project. At first, I did not really feel confident with my drafts but after getting some feedback from fellow seniors and classmates, I made changes and it really helped. This made me appreciate sound editing even more as it is not easy to come up with your own sounds and to edit it.

Overall, after completing this project, I am so happy that I managed to complete it. Even though this is not my best work, I will learn from my mistakes and do better for my future projects. Not to forget, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to my lecturer, Mr Razif for giving me proper guidance throughout this semester and being very understanding of my situation. I truly appreciate all the knowledge shared with all of us and for making the classes really fun and enjoyable! This has been one of the best modules I have taken.