Anyone with even a passing interest in the cinema knows the importance of sound effects (SFX) and background music, that’s even if they don’t realize it.
Those who have watched more than their fair share of films developed a subconscious ear for what works and what doesn’t when it comes to the scoring of movies and TV shows. Of course, that goes for all types of visual media.
It’s one of those things that you’ll instantly know is of kilter if not done well and something we appreciate instantly when it’s done well. Some may consider the soundtrack to a film or video project to be somehow of less importance than the visuals, but that’s absolutely not the case.
In many ways, the two need to act in a symbiotic relationship, one feeding off the other, for the partnership to successfully come to fruition. It’s not an easy task but one that is greatly aided by providers of the relevant music and Sound effects at an inexpensive rate (more on this later).
Let’s start with some terminology information. When you hear someone referencing sound effects (SFX), this covers a wide range of things. This can be SFX used to replicate a natural phenomenon or add something you couldn’t get on the shoot itself.
A film’s score is music used as ‘background’ sound. When expertly used, it will almost feed directly to your brain. Without it, your film and video project will feel almost hollow and two-dimensional.
That leaves a soundtrack, and this is usually considered the music you add that is not incidental and is part of the overall soundscape you are creating. Think Quentin Tarantino’s soundtrack choices, which have become an artform in themselves, tracks like ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’ (the famous ear slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs) and ‘Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon’ (the track playing before Uma Thurman’s overdose in Pulp Fiction).
Martin Scorsese is another master of this art, though, of course, both directors get more than a little input and help from their respective music consultants.
SFX and score can be used superbly to ramp up the tension or to bring the audience to the edge of their seats.
Think about a classic horror film scenario, a creaking door, footsteps above, the slashing of a knife, all excellent SFX additions. Then add to the mix an eerie score that is at times completely silent and then brought to life with an intense crescendo of noise.
Or a car chase in a thriller, where your overall soundscape needs screeching tires, up-tempo music and maybe throw in an explosion or two, maybe the smashing of a windscreen.
https://www.justwebworld.com/background-music-and-sound-effects-in-movies/
