KONGMing - A38156 - Cinema Industry Report

Dr.
Lam, in his presentation, discussed several functions of film music, categorized into
six main points: the Emotive function, the Informative function, the Rhetorical function,
the Descriptive function, the Guiding function, and the Temporal function. He provided
various examples for each function to help us understand them better. Additionally, he
explained how composers communicate with directors and what the typical workflow
is like in the industry, giving us insights into the industrial process of film score
production.
The second guest speaker was Mr. Yang, a professional mixer, who shared with us the
post-production process of film sound design. He primarily discussed the sound design
for action scenes and the creation of foley.
Although Dr. Lam focuses on composing music and Mr. Yang on sound design, they
both highlighted a common point: starting from the viewpoint. This was the most
helpful knowledge I gained from both lectures. The same event, viewed from an
objective perspective, from the perspective of one party involved, or from another
party's perspective, can lead to completely different conclusions. As film creators, what
we control is how the audience will perceive an event, guiding their emotions. Sound
and music are key methods to achieve this.
Sound plays a crucial role in films, not merely as a supplement to visual effects but also
as a means to provide additional layers of emotion and information to the audience.
Sound, which typically includes music, sound effects, and dialogue, can achieve the
following three functions: adding realism to scenes, conveying narrative information,
and creating the emotions and feelings of scenes and characters. To demonstrate how
sound fulfills these functions, this article will analyze the sound design of the movie
"Interstellar" in detail.
1. Adding Realism to Scenes

Sound can enhance the realism of film scenes through sound effects, ambient sounds,
and dialogue, allowing the audience to immerse themselves more easily in the movie
world. In "Interstellar," the following sound elements effectively add realism to the
scenes:
⚫ Ambient Sound Effects:

Spacecraft Interior Sound Effects: In scenes where the spacecraft is traveling through
space, although the film adheres to the scientific principle that "there is no sound in
space," inside the spacecraft, the audience can hear machine operations, button clicks,
and air circulation. These detailed sound effects make the audience feel as if they are
inside the spacecraft, enhancing the scene's realism. For example, when Cooper and his
team first activate the spacecraft, the internal mechanical sounds and the crew's
dialogues make the audience feel like they are inside a real spacecraft.
⚫ Natural Sound Effects:

Earth Environment Sound Effects: When depicting different natural environments on
Earth, sounds such as wind blowing through cornfields, rain hitting metal roofs, and
even the howling of sandstorms make the audience believe and feel the world within
the film. For instance, when Cooper interacts with his daughter on the farm, the
background sound of rustling cornfields immerses the audience in their environment.
⚫ Special Sound Effects:

Unique Scene Sound Effects: On the giant wave planet, the sound of waves crashing
and water impacting makes the scene exceptionally vivid and tense, enhancing the
visual experience. Additionally, near the black hole, despite scientifically being silent,
the film uses deep sound effects and background music to convey the immense gravity
and spatial distortion.
2. Conveying Narrative Information

Sound is a key tool in narrating the film's story, especially through dialogue and music,
to convey important information. In "Interstellar," sound conveys narrative information
in the following ways:
⚫ Dialogue:
Character Interaction: The dialogues in the film are not just tools for character
communication but also convey a lot of information about the plot and character
motivations. For example, the dialogues between Cooper and his daughter Murphy
reveal their close relationship and foreshadow the film's subsequent plot developments.
When Cooper tells Murphy that he is leaving to save humanity, their dialogue is full of
emotional tension, conveying the deep bond between father and daughter and Cooper's
internal conflict.
⚫ Music:
Narrative Score: Hans Zimmer's score for "Interstellar" plays a crucial role in
conveying narrative information. The music uses different themes and tones in various
parts of the film. For example, during the appearance of the giant wave planet, the
background music's rhythm and tone convey a sense of tension and danger,
foreshadowing the impending crisis. Similarly, when Cooper crosses the wormhole, the
music becomes mysterious and exploratory, hinting at unknown adventures and
discoveries.
⚫ Sound Effects Narration:

Spatial Effects: The film uses sound's spatial effects to narrate the story's progression.
For instance, when Cooper crosses the wormhole, the surrounding sound effects
transition from noisy to silent to low, conveying the shift from reality to an unknown
space. This sound change not only enhances the visual effects but also helps the
audience understand the different spatial states Cooper experiences.
3. Creating the Emotions and Feelings of Scenes and Characters

Sound can strongly influence the audience's emotional and affective experience.
Through the use of music and sound effects, specific scenes or characters' emotions can
be highlighted. In "Interstellar," sound excels in creating emotions and feelings:
⚫ Emotional Music:
Emotionally Charged Music:The film's score uses different instruments and melodies
in various scenes to convey emotions. For example, when Cooper says goodbye to his
daughter, the poignant and sorrowful music deepens the sense of parting pain. This
piece uses piano and string melodies to make the audience feel the characters' inner
pain and helplessness. When Cooper and his team successfully cross the wormhole, the
music becomes exhilarating, conveying a sense of hope and victory. The orchestral
grandeur at this moment makes the audience feel the magnificence of exploration and
the joy of success.
⚫ Impactful Sound Effects:

Tense Sound Effects: At critical moments, the use of sound effects can quickly heighten
emotional impact. For example, when Cooper's spacecraft is caught in a space dust
storm, the intense sound effects and sudden silence create a sharp contrast, making the
audience feel tense and uneasy. The sound of dust hitting the spacecraft's hull and the
crew's nervous breathing enhance the tension of the scene.
⚫ Tone Variation:
Emotional Tone: Through changes in tone, sound can express the emotional shifts of
characters. For example, when Cooper watches videos of his long-unseen children
through video communication, the background music shifts from sorrowful low tones
to hopeful high tones, reflecting Cooper's emotional journey from sadness to renewed
hope. This sound change helps the audience better understand the characters' emotional
fluctuations.
Through a detailed analysis of "Interstellar," we can see that sound plays an

indispensable role in films. Whether it's enhancing the realism of scenes through
ambient sound effects, conveying narrative information through dialogue and music, or
creating emotions and feelings through clever sound effects and scores, sound
significantly enriches the film's layers and depth. Sound is not merely a supplement to
visual elements but an essential part of the film's narrative, helping the audience better
understand and experience the film's world.
In film production, sound designers and composers, through meticulous sound creation
and design, provide the audience with a more profound and multi-layered viewing
experience. Therefore, the role of sound in films cannot be underestimated; it is not
only the storyteller but also the transmitter of emotions and the bridge between the
audience and the film world.

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Dr.

1. Adding Realism to Scenes

⚫ Ambient Sound Effects:

⚫ Natural Sound Effects:

⚫ Special Sound Effects:

2. Conveying Narrative Information

⚫ Sound Effects Narration:

3. Creating the Emotions and Feelings of Scenes and Characters

⚫ Impactful Sound Effects:

Through a detailed analysis of "Interstellar," we can see that sound plays an

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