So I was reading Roger Ebert’s predictions for the Oscars. He likes *Narnia * for Sound Mixing and *King Kong * for Sound Editing. I realized that I have no idea what these categories are, nor why some films should be honored and not others.
Can anyone explain? What are sound mixing and sound editing? How are they different? When I’m watching a film, what should I be listening for that’s a sign of good (or bad) sound mixing and sound editing?
In your responses, please keep in mind that I’m reasonably intelligent but not a scientist or even much of a music buff, so layman’s terms are appreciated. I would also love to have examples of movies that, in your opinion, demonstrate good or bad sound mixing and/or editing.
Sound mixing is the process where all the different tracks (dialogue, sound fx, ambient noise, background music, foley sound, etc; each one recorded by a different and seperate microphone) are combined into one natural sounding recording.
Sound editing is the process where the different scenes are blended together; for example, when the screen fades from one scene to the next, and the background music swells while the dialogue fades and the sound of raindrops is heard before the screen comes into focus… so the viewer knows that the scene and time of day and possibly the location changed, all due to what is heard.
I don’t pay real attention to these awards, but it surprises me that they aren’t rolled into one. The transitions and mixing (on a big budget movie) is likeley to be made by the same outfit. Unless one award is there for the guy holding the microphone boom.
Not to beat a dead horse, but do you guys have any examples where you think the sound mixing or editing was done particularly well? I’d like to start paying more attention to the audio in movies.
Sound mixing is easiest to notice when it’s particularly bad. Ever seen a movie at home where the dialogue is so quiet you have to turn it all the way up to hear, then something explodes or music plays and you’ve gone and blown a speaker?
Yeah! In *Mr. and Mrs. Smith * there were sequences when there was so much screeching of tires and explosions and things going on, I couldn’t understand what the characters were saying. I just thought that Brad Pitt was being especially mealymouthed and mumbly in that movie.
I learned a lot about sound mixing and sound editing on the extras devoted to the subject of sound on the Lord of the Rings extended DVDs. Yes, I’m a fan; no I’m not a shill. But even people I know who aren’t wild about the films have been fascinated watching the bits about making the sound for the films.
I can’t watch those sound features on the LOTR DVDs. It’s weird, but once I know how the sounds are done, I can’t suspend my disbelief any more. I hear the sounds in the movie and I think of two guys in a room running in place and jiggling clanging armor. When the actors are talking, I’m picturing them standing at a microphone watching themselves on a screen and lipsynching.
But I don’t have the same problem with the visual effects. I can watch those features all day and still believe the trolls in Minas Tirith are real.