How to use sound effects to improve emotions for movies and films

Over many years, sound effects have been widely used within filmmaking and in making outstanding films. Yes, this is very true; sound effects can impact any movie/film scene.

Before the film industry introduced sound effects to films and televisions, most films were “silent movies”. Before the 1920s, films would generally have piano music playing in the background.

Of course, the technology has come a long way; sound designers have managed to convey emotions and deepen the impact of scenes’ emotions just by using the correct sound effects and correct background music (usually instrumental).

So, how can sound effects be used inside film production and movie making?

So, how can sound effects be used? Sound effects can be used to improve the impact of the scene within filmmaking, adding the correct emotions to convey the correct emotional scene emotional output.

For example, when it comes to comedy scenes, many sound effects can be used to improve the comedy-style emotions, such as

• Using a crowd laughing sound effect to convey a funny scene or skit within a film production.
• Using Foley swoosh, bing, boing and other funny-style sound effects to improvise the funny sound effects required for a funny scene of someone slipping over or doing something funny in general.
• Using funny and quirky-style background instrumentals to make the scene funnier.

The same style could be used in horror-style scenes, with the sound effects being a lot scarier and impactful.

This style can be used pretty much for all types of scenes.

• Romantic scenes would use relaxing and calm sound effects, with relaxing and calm background music.
• Sad scenes would use a more emotional style of piano or orchestra-type background music with very calm and relaxing sound effects.
• Horror scenes would use “screams”, “weird sounds” and a very jumpy style of sound to bring intensity to the viewers.
• An adventurous film scene would use a wide range of sound effects required.

This list would simply go on; there are over 10,000 different styles of sound effects which could be used for the same scene. It’s all about selecting the correct one. Used inside film production and movie making?

Create your own personalised sound effects.

The best way to match the correct sound effects to a specific scene within a film or movie set would be to create personalised Foley sound effects.

These are usually recorded in a recording studio, using everyday objects and creativity. Check out this video below, which is a great demonstration of making a personalised sound effect to meet the scene’s requirements below.

Of course, you would not need to spend 1000s on sound design equipment, as this can be achieved using everyday objects and a simple home recording studio with the correct software. We have made a guide on how we created some swoosh-style sound effects.

For this process, you would require.

• Condenser microphone or USB condenser microphone.
• High-quality sound interface.
• A decent computer or a laptop.
• Digital audio unit (DAW). LMMS is free sound and music production software.

This process has been used by many film studios for a very long time, and it’s always been the best way to create personalised sound effects for any movie/film scenes.

Main checkpoints to consider when adding sound effects to any films or movies to deliver the correct emotions.

1. Check the scene, and place the scene into an emotional category; is it funny or scary, etc.?
2. Pinpoint the sound effects required and match them to the scene.
3. Personally create or download your specific required sound effects.
4. Use video editing software to add the sound effects to the scenes.
5. Let people watch the scene and get some feedback.

Getting feedback on sound effects is very crucial when starting off with creating sound effects; this is something that is widely used by universities when it comes to sound design.

PAV – Personally, when I was in university and designing sound effects for videos or short film scenes, I always asked for feedback and improved on my sound design.

Themes and themed sounds

Many films and TV shows use themed music and themed sound effects; for example, the opening of the TV show would have the same opening theme background music.

This also goes for the sound effects; many TV shows (series) use the same sound effects throughout the whole of the production. This is to keep consistency and professionalism.

Also, when it comes to creating sound effects, try to stick to the selected theme.

A great example is “PIXAR” using the same introduction for all their TV shows, always using a similar style of sound effects for the opening scene.

Selecting the correct music can have a huge impact on the scene, for example.

• Fresh Prince of Bel-Air background music.
• The Simpsons-themed background music.

Many film and movie scenes use themed music; this is something which has now been used for over decades by TV and film production studios. It also helps with user engagement; having a catchy theme song or themed sound effects can make any TV show or movie stand out.

So making or adding the correct background music can also have a great impact on the emotions and the overall film production.