The Importance of Sound1
Theater is an extremely involved and complex production. It encompasses play writing, directing, acting, costume, makeup, scenery, lighting properties, theater architecture, machinery, special effects, management, audiences, and criticism (Brockett-b xi). What this statement fails to include is the element of sound design as a major theatrical consideration. The aspect of sound in the past and present entails so many technical aspects, that it must not be over-looked in any production. This is reinforced by analyzing the need for music and sound, how these where used in the past, and finally what to consider for modern sound design.Music and sound is essential for enhancing any production. Its presence serves two crucial functions. First, it establishes mood. All people have certain reactions to sounds, especially music. For example, upbeat rythmatic tempos have the ability to release adrenaline in a persons body. Slower tempos can tend to depress people. In theater, the use of sound and music is geared towards the extremes. The sound designer=s purpose is to create a moody atmosphere. For example, most moods created relate comedy to gaiety and tragedy to somberness (Brockett 402).
The need for a sound designer is an absolute must in any production as a specialist is required with the knowledge of the numerous technical details which go into a modern sound accompaniment. First, it has the potential to relay a great deal of information to the audience related to time and place (Wilson 107). While this type of media and equipment is very durable, they are slow to initiate, thus the disadvantage is obvious. Community youth also delivered concerts before the play, sometimes lasting up to one hour long (Brockett-b 161). The designer has to incorporate his own artistic talent with that of the director in addition to meeting the objectives of the production itself. The system=s resistance to failure is very important to consider in the implementation of any design (Walne 56). The ease at which the equipment can be used can prove to be very beneficial to the sound designer (Walne 56). Some other major eras that incorporated music were the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Manipulation is easier while sound quality is sacrificed. The third important benefit of sound is its ability to provide cues for the actors to respond to (Walne 39). This is because a sound that is part of the play provides a non-visible cue. , AHistory of The Theatre, 2nd Edition@ Allyn and Bacon, Inc. Further, music leaves ample room for the sound designer to be very artistic.
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