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the role of the SOUND designer

If you chose to serve on the   SOUND DESIGN TEAM for this semester's Advanced Acting show, you are responsible for participating in design team meetings as well as growing as a designer during the rehearsal and performance process.

 

If serving on the Sound Design Team, you are ALSO responsible for independently learning about the role of a sound designer as outlined below.  ​

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Please be sure you collect/document your learning and your design journey in your  Process Journal.

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PART II: REHEARSAL & DESIGN PROCESS

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(learning / applying)

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​​Task: INDEPENDENT LEARNING/GROWTH  (Weekly Formative Grade):  Each week, you  must complete at least ONE reading/video, (or video series) listed below ​and respond in your Advanced Acting PROCESS JOURNAL.​

  • You don't need to complete in order. You can pick/choose what is most interesting and/or useful to you each week.

  • You MUST watch/read each learning activity with a star (*).  You can decide which week(s) you watch/do the starred items

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*Video: The Magic of Making Sound (6:32)

Journal Entry:  Making Sound Effects

  1. What did you learn about creating sound effects by watching this video?

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*Video: SOUND DESIGN - Underscore & Sound Textures (10:15)

Journal Entry:  Theatre Underscores

  1. Describe the different types of sound enhancements you could use in theatre (as described in the video)

  2. WHERE can you find ambient music for a show? 

  3. How can you test out an underscore, and what should you look for?

  4. Spend some time thinking about the specific scenes from our show that could benefit from underscores or additional sound.  Begin a spreadsheet to keep track of your of your choices. (Share with Ms. Price.)

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*Video "Series": 

Qlab Tutorial | Basics Episode 1 "First Steps"  (7:51)

Qlab Tutorial | Basics Episode 2 "Pre Show Loops & Auto Follows" (3:48)

QLab Tutorial | Basics Episode 3 "GROUP CUES" (3:47)

(note:  there are many more Qlab tutorials online, but this knowledge will get you started)

Journal Entry:  Qlab Notes

​1. Take notes on the basics of Qlab, which is the program used to run sounds cues during a show. (You will be learning more from John, but you need to know the basics first.)

2. Take notes on looping AND grouping in Qlab and helpful shortcuts provided.

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Video: Sound Design Series - Interview (7:24)

Journal Entry:  Tasks of a Sound Designer

  1. List the many tasks of a sound designer, as described by the designer in the video.

  2. What truths from this video could help you in approaching your own sound design?

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Video: Designing Sound for Theatre (6:55) 

Journal Entry:  Role of a Sound Designer

  1. What is the role of a sound engineer? (stated right away)

  2. What is the role of a sound designer? (stated right away)

  3. This designer at the beginning of the video says that she doesn't just "pick sounds to go in places".  Instead she does what?

  4.  In what ways does the sound designer work WITH the cast and director?  Describe the collaboration PROCESSES you observed, and think about the way YOU can stay connected with rehearsals and the director in our show.  

  5. What advice does the sound designer give? List several.  (5:25-6:44)

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Video: The Sound Designer - In the Wings - Stagecraft 101 (6:52)

Journal Entry:  Sound Design

  1. What is a sound designer responsible for?  (stated right away - list all stated)

  2. A sound designer is "trying not to be" what?

  3. What skills do you need as a sound designer?  (2:45)

  4. What does a sound designer need to be able to do when (s)he reads a play? (3:30)

  5. What sounds does a sound designer START with?

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Video:  What I Do: Sound Design with Nick Hernandez (8:31)​

Journal Entry:  Inspiration from a Sound Designer

  1. How does this designer DESCRIBE sound design? (What does he consider it - rather than just adding sounds to a show?)

  2. What, from this video, inspired you or gave you good advice for your own sound design?

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Video: The Beautiful Lies of Sound Design | Tasos Fratzolas | TEDxAthens (17:01)

Journal Entry:  The lies of Sound Design

  1. What did you learn about creating your OWN sound effects by watching this video?

  2. Describe how the SOURCE (where the sound is coming FROM) does/should impact sound.

  3. What are ambiances?  (Think about if any may be needed in our show.  Keep in mind, this is more important in film than on stage, but they could still be needed for some stage shows.)

  4. How can sound effects tap into emotional memory? (Think about if there are any emotional memory sound effects that could be effective in our show.)

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Video:  Creating Frankenstein: Sound Design | Abbey Theatre (4:40)

Journal Entry:  Sound for the Stage

  1. What does sound design do? (stated right away - list 3 ways)

  2. What does the designer look for in the script?  

  3. Where does the designer "work" during REHEARSALS and why?

  4. What can sound design create on stage?  (3:30)

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explore more (optional):

 

(This list will be added to over time.  Let KP know if you find any helpful information that could be useful to future Advanced Acting students.)

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