One of the most overlooked elements of video production is audio soundscaping.
Despite stunning visuals and compelling dialogue, the wrong audio can send even the best of films, docs, and TV shows down the drain. And as videos have higher production value, it would only make sense that soundscaping follow suit.
But just what is soundscaping? A fun mashup of the words ‘sound’ and ‘landscaping’, soundscapes are the backbone of a film, video, or TV show that add texture to the show. They are an immersive combination of sounds that add to an environment (or acoustic ecology system, if you will).
We’ve seen the effects of strong soundscapes in countless films. From movies like The Hobbit to Inception, a strong soundscape (a mashup of sound and landscaping) contributes to the overall aesthetic, setting, and storytelling of a film. Audio soundscaping can add an extra dimension to any visual body of work and turn the most mediocre of video into something far greater.
For corporate video production, the idea of soundscaping isn’t such a bad idea, either. Soundscaping can tell subtle stories in ways we didn’t think were possible. When it comes to creative video advertising campaigns, sound is instrumental in adding texture to the tone a company might be looking for.
Radio advertisements (obviously a medium without the aid of visuals) know the importance of using poignant, familiar sounds that a listener can connect to. Likewise, with any moving visual medium, sound augments the experience for the viewer. With the use of foleying, mixing and mastering, composing, and conducting sound design (in addition to background or on-location sound), a visual body of work can be brought to life.
Soundscaping can tell an indirect story without coming across as too on-the-nose, preachy, or direct. NGOs and not-for-profit organization use public service announcements (or PSAs) do this frequently with the use of calm melodies and harmonic instrumentals to tug on a viewer’s emotional strings. Others use minimal sound and heavy sound effects (e.g. car crashes) to highlight a strong message.
Check out this PSA on speeding from New Zealand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvLaTupw-hk&t=0s
Here at Key West Video, we understand the importance of having strong audio in our corporate videos. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!
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