The sound editors job begins once the movie has been filmed and all the dialogue has been recorded this is also known as the post production stage. During this stage the directors work really hard to choose the best shots to be used in the final cut and is also the time when all the sound effects are added. The sound editors job is to prepare all dialogue, sound effects, background sounds and music for the final cut. They start with sorting and cleaning up the dialogue and as the recordings are normally done separately when the director has chosen what takes they are including the sound editor has to match the action with the correct recording. The sound editor then has to make sure the picture and the recording are in sync with each other. They also have to remove any background noise such as planes flying over head. It is also the sound editors job to match the music and sound effects to the correct action or place in the film if this isn't done then the sound effects won't match with action.
Below is a video from a film sound editor explaining what he has to do as a job and how important the sound editors role is in film.
Step by step guide of the role of the sound editor and what they do
The role of the film score composer
The role of a film composer or score composer varies according to the project. In basic terms a film composer finds, writes or makes music to accompany the film. The music composed could be a dramatic orchestral piece or could rely on other songwriters and a small group of musicians. The film score composers role is to meet with director when all the scene of the film has been shot and edited so that they can discuss what type of music would best fit the film and also what type of music they need. Another role is to sit in a watch parts of the film with the directer and see where the music should start or finish and also how it should sound. Once this is done the film composer then write out the score of all the music sections that is being included in the film. for a 100 minute film the film composer would probably write 50 minuets of music. Once all this is finished to the highest quality the film composer give notes, and rough score to the arrangers and copyists so they can produce a musicians score.
Below is a video that explains further the role of the film composer from an actual film composer
What is a Wilhelm scream
A Wilhelm scream is a stock sound effect that has been used in more the 225 films. The scream is usually used when people are shot, falling from a great height or in an explosion and most likely recorded by actors or singers. The scream was named after private Wilhelm a character in the film The charge at feathers river. A western in which the character gets shot with an arrow . The sound effect gained popularity when it was used in films such as Star wars, Indiana Jones and Disney block busters. The chances are you have heard the Wilhelm scream but never really taken much notice to it. The Wilhelm scream was recorded in 1951 and was reused in different films in a way of a joke and was put in every episode of star wars and Indiana Jones coursing fans and directors to take notice.
Below is a video of the original scream and also the scream in another film.
The original Wilhelm Scream
The Wilhelm Scream in Indiana Jones
Top 10 Wilhelm Screams
Who are the most famous film composers
- John Williams who is one of the best known, awarded and financially succesfull composer in film.He has been nominaed for 41 oscers and five wins. He is best known for composeing music for films such as Harry Potter, Star wars and jurrasic park. Examples of his work is shown below.
His work from Star wars
- Max Steiner a Austrian composer who achieved legendary status as the creator of hundreds of American film scores. He is musically gifted and started composing complexed music since he was in his teens. He has composed music for films such as Gone with the wind, king kong and Casablanca. Examples of his work is below
His work from Casablanca
- Jerry Goldsmith was an american composer and conductor who was most commonly known for his work in film and television he sadly died in 2004 at the age of 75 but his music still lives on. He composed music for films such as Rambo, Scot pilgrim Vs the world and survival. Some of his work is shown below,
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The most famous film editors
- One of the most famous editors is Richard Hymns who edited films such as Saving Private Ryan, Indiana Jones and Jurassic park and most recently The BFG he has be nominated 5 Oscars for sound editor making him the most nominated editor he became assistant editor at the age of sixteen and hasn't stopped editing since. some of his edited films are show below
Saving private ryan.
Jurrasic Park ( sound edit)
In my next post I will be talking about film treatments.
