Bogdan Posted April 5, 2017 Report Posted April 5, 2017 Sound on. My first post... I've been searching for films that convey the life of a sound recordist, especially focused on natural environments and ambient sounds. I imagine an adventurous traveller recording mysterious sounds in obscure, silent places. 0 results. Unacceptable! The "closest" I got was Berberian Sound Studio (2012), a film I saw in an empty, silent cinema in Edinburgh in 2012 This is almost the opposite of what I am looking for, as it's based in a studio Another inspiration was Upstream Color (2013). Here there is this strange guy recording pigs and other unconventional natural sounds. He then uses the sounds in a synth instrument. I'm sure there are many films that have at least some good references to what I've mentioned, but I will let you guys come up with amazing movies that inspired you in this respect ( maybe even to become a sound designer/recordist/engineer etc.) Please focus on films expressing the art of listening/recording (natural) sounds or music. You can mention films with great sound designs, especially those using organic sounds creatively, but only if you really must :). Please contribute. I will make a list May the sound of silence enlighten us! Edits (contributions): -------------------------------------- Into the Wind (2017) BBC 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08lvxxs Touch the Sound: A Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie (2004) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424509/?ref_=ttrel_rel_tt Notes on Blindness (2016) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5117222/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Blow Out (1981) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082085/ Microcosmos (1996) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117040/ Lisbon Story (1994) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110361/?ref_=nv_sr_1) In a World (2013) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294677/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3 The Conversation (1974) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071360/?ref_=nv_sr_1 The Lives of Others (2006) (recorded on nagra and central character is recording the lives of others : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Concerning Violence (2014) (which is not directly about sound recording but it has a picture of a nagra operator in a fantastic pair of flares on the poster) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3263690/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Sound Waves: The Symphony of Physics -BBC documentary- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h06tq Murke's Collected Silences by Heinrich Böll Most films made by Nick Broomfield (as he likes to get himself in shot with a nagra and 416 ;-) The Brave One (2007) (iirc Erica {Foster} is using a sound devices 7 series) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476964/ Double Indemnity (this is very tenuous but I include it for the recorded confession - which despite my sins and access to the hardware i've never felt compelled to do ;- ) -------------------------------------- P.S. I'm about to embark on a loooong journey, in a van, doing exactly this (I will start with Europe). I joined this community after an extensive research regarding what equipment I need to record natural sounds, especially in quiet environments in remote places. I will also record videos on my DSLR to capture more of the beauty of our planet. I will then share my results to inspire those who need this perspective. Possibilities are endless. P.S.2 I am interested to buy an used Sound Devices recorder (any would do) at a good price...preferably in Europe, to avoid 20% custom fees. I know you have some :). Quote
MondoBurger Posted April 5, 2017 Report Posted April 5, 2017 Notes on Blindness is a beautiful movie with quite a bit to say about listening, especially in how it relates to cognition and alternative ways of knowing. The rain scene in particular is stunning Quote
Bogdan Posted April 5, 2017 Author Report Posted April 5, 2017 Excellent! Thanks! Let's have some more.... A database of films for sound lovers. Quote
JackHenry Posted April 5, 2017 Report Posted April 5, 2017 1 hour ago, MondoBurger said: Notes on Blindness is a beautiful movie with quite a bit to say about listening, especially in how it relates to cognition and alternative ways of knowing. The rain scene in particular is stunning It would have been better without the background music. Quote
daniel Posted April 5, 2017 Report Posted April 5, 2017 The following might not quite be what you're thinking of but you decide. 'Blow Out' (despite some of the creative licences taken with the technicalities) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082085/ 'The Conversation' : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071360/?ref_=nv_sr_1 'The Lives of Others' (recorded on nagra and central character is recording the lives of others : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 'Concerning Violence' (which is not directly about sound recording but it has a picture of a nagra operator in a fantastic pair of flares on the poster) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3263690/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Science programme about sound (a bit lightweight) : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h06tq Most films made by Nick Broomfield (as he likes to get himself in shot with a nagra and 416 ;-) 'Brave One' (iirc Erica {Foster} is using a sound devices 7 series) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476964/ 'Double Indemnity' (this is very tenuous but I include it for the recorded confession - which despite my sins and access to the hardware i've never felt compelled to do ;- ) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Quote
Bogdan Posted April 5, 2017 Author Report Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) Thanks! It's a great list... saw most of them. Not exactly what I am looking for, you're right, but definitely close and relevant! Edit: your last link is broken You mean the 1944 film? Edited April 5, 2017 by Bogdan link Quote
Jim Feeley Posted April 5, 2017 Report Posted April 5, 2017 Good list so far...only additions that come to mind right now: It's a written short story (and IIRC later a BBC radio play...or reading), but it's worth reading and thinking about... Murke's Collected Silences by Heinrich Böll Also actual (well, fictional) films: Lisbon Story by Wim Wenders (not his best film, but interesting) In A World by Lake Bell (the main characters are voice-over artists and voice coaches; a nice fun and funny film) Fun topic Bogdan! Quote
Dutch Posted April 5, 2017 Report Posted April 5, 2017 One of the great films has to be "Microcosmos". Philippe Barbeau and Bernard Leroux did an incredible job on sound. The film took 3 years to make and is still probably the most ambitious film of its type to this day. Have you ever heard an ants footsteps? Watch this film! It's a marvel from both visual and sound perspectives. Short clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76R2EKEnoJQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfUf5IawJ30 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117040/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmos_(film) Quote
Bogdan Posted April 6, 2017 Author Report Posted April 6, 2017 14 hours ago, Jim Feeley said: Good list so far...only additions that come to mind right now: It's a written short story (and IIRC later a BBC radio play...or reading), but it's worth reading and thinking about... Murke's Collected Silences by Heinrich Böll Also actual (well, fictional) films: Lisbon Story by Wim Wenders (not his best film, but interesting) In A World by Lake Bell (the main characters are voice-over artists and voice coaches; a nice fun and funny film) Fun topic Bogdan! Awesome, thanks. Seen both films you mentioned. I love the atmosphere in Lisbon Story. It's very inspiring. In a world was a good watch as well. 13 hours ago, Dutch said: One of the great films has to be "Microcosmos". Philippe Barbeau and Bernard Leroux did an incredible job on sound. The film took 3 years to make and is still probably the most ambitious film of its type to this day. Have you ever heard an ants footsteps? Watch this film! It's a marvel from both visual and sound perspectives. Short clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76R2EKEnoJQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfUf5IawJ30 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117040/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmos_(film) It looks fantastic. It probably sounds even better It's on the list! Thanks! Quote
The Immoral Mr Teas Posted April 14, 2017 Report Posted April 14, 2017 Well I just watched Tim Dee's TV programme which Daniel pointed out earlier this week on BBC4, Into the Wind. Half an hour following a bloke with a rycote across The Wash. Delightful. And you'll probably come away from it wanting to use a Nagra Seven (unless it was an LB?) Quote
Jim Feeley Posted April 14, 2017 Report Posted April 14, 2017 39 minutes ago, The Immoral Mr Teas said: Half an hour following a bloke with a rycote across The Wash. Delightful. Ha! Great review. Quote
Bogdan Posted April 14, 2017 Author Report Posted April 14, 2017 6 hours ago, Jim Feeley said: Ha! Great review. Ha! I thought the same!! :)) 7 hours ago, The Immoral Mr Teas said: Well I just watched Tim Dee's TV programme which Daniel pointed out earlier this week on BBC4, Into the Wind. Half an hour following a bloke with a rycote across The Wash. Delightful. And you'll probably come away from it wanting to use a Nagra Seven (unless it was an LB?) Hmm... I somehow missed "Into the Wind". In daniel's BBC link I could only find "Sound Waves: The Symphony of Physics". I'll have a browse. Quote
daniel Posted April 15, 2017 Report Posted April 15, 2017 it was on another thread: http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/29575-bbc-doc-about-recording-the-wind/ Quote
Mark Mandler Posted April 16, 2017 Report Posted April 16, 2017 Touch the Sound: A Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie (2004) 1h 39min | Documentary | 4 November 2004 (Germany) A documentary which explores the connections among sound, rhythm, time, and the body by following percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who is nearly deaf. Director: Thomas Riedelsheimer Stars: Evelyn Glennie, Fred Frith, Roxane Butterfly |See full cast & crew » Quote
Bogdan Posted April 16, 2017 Author Report Posted April 16, 2017 39 minutes ago, Mark Mandler said: Touch the Sound: A Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie (2004) Awesome, I'll add it to the list. Thanks Mark! Quote
daniel Posted April 16, 2017 Report Posted April 16, 2017 20 hours ago, daniel said: it was on another thread: http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/29575-bbc-doc-about-recording-the-wind/ Just watched this on iplayer. Kind of wish I'd not posted about it - not my sort thing at all :-) Quote
Bogdan Posted April 16, 2017 Author Report Posted April 16, 2017 1 minute ago, daniel said: Just watched this on iplayer. Kind of wish I'd not posted about it - not my sort thing at all :-) Yea..I stopped watching after 5 minutes or less... :)) I hope I will continue at some point. Quote
daniel Posted April 16, 2017 Report Posted April 16, 2017 Just now, Bogdan said: Yea..I stoped watching after 5 minutes or less... :)) I hope I will continue at some point. Imho, not worth it. Less 'Into the Wind' more a guy gassing on about himself while camera op does his best to make a flat landscape look interesting. I kept thinking about Casper David Fredericks for some reason I'm not sure I could explain - maybe as there seemed to be an aspiration to encompass some meditative romantic element but it never got there for me. I don't even remember noticing much about the wind recording except for a bit at the end which faded into music (yergh!) Quote
The Immoral Mr Teas Posted April 17, 2017 Report Posted April 17, 2017 22 hours ago, daniel said: Imho, not worth it. Less 'Into the Wind' more a guy gassing on about himself while camera op does his best to make a flat landscape look interesting. I kept thinking about Casper David Fredericks for some reason I'm not sure I could explain - maybe as there seemed to be an aspiration to encompass some meditative romantic element but it never got there for me. I don't even remember noticing much about the wind recording except for a bit at the end which faded into music (yergh!) I did enjoy it, and am familiar with Tim's radio docs. I actually took the programme to be more tongue in cheek and pretty funny, in the 'style' of 1970s / 80s classic BBC2 / early Channel 4 than today's tendency to take Sound Art SERIOUSLY. J x Quote
michaelmoote Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 Touch of Evil The final sequence where Charleston Heston puts an rudimentary radio mic on an informant to catch Orson welles' character confessing. Brilliant use of sound, and the poor performance of the wireless places a critical role. Not quite what you're after, but worth mentioning. I find all the old Orson welles movies pretty interesting from a sound perspective. Quote
dfisk Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 From the VO world, there is a doc called "I know That Voice" that was produced by John Di Maggio. I was lucky to work with many of the people in this trailer, and it's a great look into the VO world for animation and video games (the world I lived in for a while). A lot of these people did video games as well. Quote
Corbin Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 (edited) "Diva," which chronicles a young French man obsessed with an American opera singer who has never been recorded live in performance. He tapes her surreptitiously with a Nagra IV-S (I think). We never see the mic(s). That sets the stage for a mistaken-identity plot line. Good (revised: indeed, cheesy as hell) film. Edited May 16, 2017 by Corbin Cheese Quote
daniel Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 1 hour ago, Corbin said: "Diva," which chronicles a young French man obsessed with an American opera singer who has never been recorded live in performance. He tapes her surreptitiously with a Nagra IV-S (I think). We never see the mic(s). That sets the stage for a mistaken-identity plot line. Good film. Cheesey, but I do like this film. Cythia Hawkins not recording her performances stands out in our time where everyone wants to be recorded. The sound track is great. Quote
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