Projection of Sound on Image and Acoustic Ecology

The first reading, Projections of Sound on Image, provides an excellent analysis of why sound is so important to cinema. It is an extremely strong yet widely overlooked component of film. The reading notes that sound has an “added value” quality, meaning it supplements the image so well that viewers perceive the experience as natural, when in fact it is quite artificial.  Syncresis, the creating of a relationship between image and sound fuels this. The reading describes the value of dialogue and how strong this aspect of sound is. We naturally are most tuned to what others are saying rather than our surroundings. This is also the case with films, and describes why they are vocosyntric. Music is also very powerful. “Empathetic music” participates in the scene by taking on its rhythm, tone, and phrasing. “Anempathetic music” intensifies emotion. The reading then discusses how sound influences the image’s temporality. This is achieved through a minimum number of conditions including: 1. image must lend itself to it 2. image must contain a minimum of structural elements with the flow of sound. The end of the reading highlights sound’s ability to produce an idea/emotion when there is no image to support it. A film may pan away from a particular image that may be too disturbing but sound will provide all that viewers need to compose the image for themselves.

The second reading, Acoustic Ecology, approaches sound relationships from a more scientific viewpoint. “Acoustic Ecology” involves many different academic fields that all examine the relationships that creatures develop through the use of sound, as well as how humans are affected by the audio of our surroundings.  This reading first notes how incredible the sound of our natural environment is. The blaring audible interruptions of television, radio, cell phones, the internet, etc. have caused us to tune out the natural world. The reading also provides examples of individuals who practice to focus more on sound. “Soundwalking” is the practice of simply walking and focusing heavily on all the sounds you encounter. Acoustic activism has led researches to examine the science behind acoustic environmental sounds and human sounds. The two achieve contrasting results. The environmental sounds are more pleasing to the ear. These activists are striving for a reduction in human noise. For example, an overhead airplane interrupts the natural sound and quietness of nature. The reading then discusses “soundscape art.” This fairly new aspect of audio selling implores the peaceful recordings of nature. The chirp of birds, sound of humpback whales, etc. are pleasing to listeners and create vivid experiences through sound alone. In conclusion, this reading urges viewers to pay more attention to the natural sounds occurring around all of us. It is relatable to the earlier reading in that they both highlight how we take for granted the power and beauty of sound.