ABSTRACT
In this paper, the role and function of Walter Murch’s sound design used in Francis Ford Coppola’s film Apocalypse Now (1979) will be described and analyzed through specific scenes throughout the entire film, which I consider important so to understand the narrative of this film. Sound Design elements will be covered such as: usage of sound, styles of sound, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, acousmatic sound and foley sound.
INTRODUCTION
Sound, is frequently made submissive to image in films. However, sound elements such as dialogue (speech), sound effects (noise) and music, can often be as complex as the images itself. It is hard to understand a meaning of a film without the use of sound, and if I may say, just the use of sound …show more content…
The ever first sound designer and godfather of modern sound design. Directed also by Francis Ford Coppola, this film is considered one of the most fascinating films in history, due to its distinctive cinematography, thematic elements and importantly use of sound. It was the first multi-channel movie to be mixed with a computerized mixing board [1] [2], and several new sound design techniques were used to overlap the entire narration of the film. Both Walter Murch and Francis Ford Coppola required that the realism of surrounding sounds trigger the audience’s emotions, as if they were really in a …show more content…
Styles of Sound Design
- Sound of the city: traffic sounds, marching band, cars and people talking (REALISTIC APPROACH)
3. Convention of Music and Effects
- The volume of helicopters raised, faded away and faded down
- The volume of helicopters and background music raised and faded away linking different scenes
- The volume of the city’s sound raised when Captain Willard approached the window
- The volume of the city’s sound faded away when Captain Willard distanced from the window
4. Acousmatic Sound
- The sound of helicopters panned from L/R and R/L while crossing from one side to another in the screen then to the front
- The sound of the jungle begins to fill the room: birds, crickets
5. Diegetic Sound
- The only sound audible in the room (sound whose source is visible) is when Captain Willard smashes the mirror during his martial art practice
6. Non Diegetic Sound
- The narrator’s voice over commenting his thoughts and feelings (this is important not just for having information about the character and narrative, but for the audience to feel like they’re inside the characters head – a realistic point of view)
7. Empathic Sound
- The song “The End” by The Doors (this helped to communicate to the audience the profounder meaning of the film and matches the mood of the
In this paper, the role and function of Walter Murch’s sound design used in Francis Ford Coppola’s film Apocalypse Now (1979) will be described and analyzed through specific scenes throughout the entire film, which I consider important so to understand the narrative of this film. Sound Design elements will be covered such as: usage of sound, styles of sound, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, acousmatic sound and foley sound.
INTRODUCTION
Sound, is frequently made submissive to image in films. However, sound elements such as dialogue (speech), sound effects (noise) and music, can often be as complex as the images itself. It is hard to understand a meaning of a film without the use of sound, and if I may say, just the use of sound …show more content…
The ever first sound designer and godfather of modern sound design. Directed also by Francis Ford Coppola, this film is considered one of the most fascinating films in history, due to its distinctive cinematography, thematic elements and importantly use of sound. It was the first multi-channel movie to be mixed with a computerized mixing board [1] [2], and several new sound design techniques were used to overlap the entire narration of the film. Both Walter Murch and Francis Ford Coppola required that the realism of surrounding sounds trigger the audience’s emotions, as if they were really in a …show more content…
Styles of Sound Design
- Sound of the city: traffic sounds, marching band, cars and people talking (REALISTIC APPROACH)
3. Convention of Music and Effects
- The volume of helicopters raised, faded away and faded down
- The volume of helicopters and background music raised and faded away linking different scenes
- The volume of the city’s sound raised when Captain Willard approached the window
- The volume of the city’s sound faded away when Captain Willard distanced from the window
4. Acousmatic Sound
- The sound of helicopters panned from L/R and R/L while crossing from one side to another in the screen then to the front
- The sound of the jungle begins to fill the room: birds, crickets
5. Diegetic Sound
- The only sound audible in the room (sound whose source is visible) is when Captain Willard smashes the mirror during his martial art practice
6. Non Diegetic Sound
- The narrator’s voice over commenting his thoughts and feelings (this is important not just for having information about the character and narrative, but for the audience to feel like they’re inside the characters head – a realistic point of view)
7. Empathic Sound
- The song “The End” by The Doors (this helped to communicate to the audience the profounder meaning of the film and matches the mood of the