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Absolute Silence in Movie Scenes
In a few movies that I’ve scene (Dead Silence, The Mist), they heighten the drama or tension in the scene by making it seem as if there is absolute silence around the characters. I’m trying to get this same effect in my movie (I’m using FCP HD) and it’s not coming out right. Do, I just need to lower the suspense music playing or lower the ambiance, etc., or is there something else that need to be done to (frequencies, etc..).
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4 Replies
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[Lewis Long] “Do, I just need to lower the suspense music playing or lower the ambiance, etc.,”
Yes.
Kill the music.
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“Dead silence” implies no music. If there’s music, there’s no silence.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
“Absolute” silence rarely is. There’s usually some kind of specific sound FX that is focused on (Crickets is the cliche, for example) that says, “No sound” or “Quiet”. Also, building up the volume before and after the “silent” scene makes the absence of sound “feel” that much greater.
So, if your movie doesn’t sound like it should, I’d suggest showing it to a sound mixer and get their opinion on the scene. They may have a suggestion for you that you never would of thought of.
Good luck.
Mark
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[Mark Raudonis] “”Absolute” silence rarely is.”
Quite true. “Law and Order” is a good example. When the prosecutor asks a particularly damning question of the defendant in the courtroom there’s usually a pause where you hear a siren or traffic noise in the background. If you listen closely, you can actually hear this room tone get louder during the pause.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/
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