Use It to Your Advantage.
A dive into the importance of audio and how it dictates much of a film. show or even a short form video. Video is more than just visuals, take advantage of audio to enhance the emotions.
We, as humans, understand the world through the limitations of our senses, and audio is one that holds the power to evoke intense feeling and emotion within us. Sight operates at a conscious level, while sound resides in the subconscious. When the two are balanced, they create a viewing experience at its most impactful form. In the same way percussion dictates the groove of a musical piece, audio dictates the emotional value of a movie or show.
Take this example: A movie scene where a character sits in an office and overhears two coworkers talking about a possible plan to murder their boss. If you employ a dark and moody soundtrack, the scene presents itself as something from a suspenseful crime thriller. However, overlay the same scene with a curious and lively soundtrack, something with soft melodies, and you’re given a form of comedy. Remove the soundtrack entirely and leave only dialogue paired with the natural sounds of an office space, and the scene rests completely on the actors’ ability to convey the necessary emotions.
What’s interesting about audio is the sheer power it holds over our emotions. The right song can make you cry, the right voice can make you laugh, and the emotional direction you want the audience to follow is often channeled through a film’s audio. The type of music chosen is crucial; it must coincide with the story and the emotions being conveyed.
Audio levels must also be correct. An effective piece of film has sound that is mixed to match both the visual elements and the shared audio space. Compression, EQ, panning, and other tools help maintain clarity while reinforcing the film’s emotional direction.
In this day and age, short form videos are more accessible than ever and are not exempt from these principles. When incorporating audio into short form content, it is essential that cuts align with the beat of the music and that sound effects are used consistently. Quality always comes before quantity, but there should never be a moment of silence in this format. The short nature of these videos presents a challenge in establishing the correct emotion, and audio plays a key role in stabilizing that experience.
