Scene set up: Night time. I’m sitting in an open area near a cliff overlooking a Northern California harbor. The problem is I can’t see a thing. Thick fog surrounds me. It would be a peaceful scene except for one thing – a bell out in the harbor ringing every couple seconds.
This one sound changed the whole setting. With every ring, a sense of dread continued to build. Instead of being happily lost in the fog, I was now a victim of it. I sensed all the elements I couldn’t see with no feeling of control. All because of a ringing bell out in the harbor.
Filmmakers need to make audio a top priority. It’s simple to do and can turn the emotional balance on it’s head. Think of the one piano key in “Eyes Wide Shut” or the serial killer’s whistle in “M.”
The bell is tolling for you. What will you do?
BV
