The Importance of Sound
Theater is an extremely involved and complex production. It encompasses play writing, directing, acting, costume, makeup, scenery, lighting properties, theater architecture, machinery, special effects, management, audiences, and criticism (Brockett-b xi). What this statement fails to include is the element of sound design as a major theatrical consideration. The aspect of sound in the past and present entails so many technical aspects, that it must not be over-looked in any production. This is reinforced by analyzing the need for music and sound, how these where used in the past, and finally what to consider for modern sound design.Music and sound is essential for enhancing any production. Its presence serves two crucial functions. First, it establishes mood. All people have certain reactions to sounds, especially music. For example, upbeat rythmatic tempos have the ability to release adrenaline in a persons body. Slower tempos can tend to depress people. In theater, the use of sound and music is geared towards the extremes. The sound designer=s purpose is to create a moody atmosphere. For example, most moods created relate comedy to gaiety and tragedy to somberness (Brockett 402).
5. Wilson, Edwin, ATheater: The Lively Art@ McGraw-Hill Inc. New York. 1993. ISBN 0-07-070742-1 The Romans used music even more extensively than the Greeks. In some plays of Plautus, up to two-thirds of his lines were accompanied by music. Music was presented so conventionally that the audience could predict what types of characters would appear just simply by listening to the textual reference of the music. First, the designer has to choose a sound system for the theater. If funds are limited to a particular production, then the implementation of a sound system can provide an inexpensive alternative to live music. A designer has several things to consider when implementing this system. One of the most difficult tasks of accomplishing the objectives of sound design is using available resources and making decisions on what sounds or music to use and what not to use. The designer has to decide if the sounds will be originated live, recorded off-stage and then played back, or borrowed from a previous source and then played back (Walne 61). The designer has to incorporate his own artistic talent with that of the director in addition to meeting the objectives of the production itself. In addition, the designer must be knowledgeable as far as the technical aspects are concerned. Edmund Hood=s APractical Handbook of Stage Lighting and Sound@ details every technical facet of sound; approximately 150 pages of diagrams and text are devoted to the general science itself and is by no means a complete guide (Hood 33). The durability and exchangeability of the media is a very important consideration that the designer must take into account (Walne 57). There are all types of medium available, the newest technology involving the compact disc. Just as the consumer knows, the compact disc provides better sound quality but less manipulation of sound. The opposite is true for magnetic tape. Manipulation is easier while sound quality is sacrificed. The needs of the production must be analyzed and equipment chosen to suit those needs.
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Approximate Word count = 2306
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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