musical & contemporary theatre sound design assessment
TRANSCRIPT
As a Sound Designer, there are many things that must be considered and taken into account when designing for events and shows. I have chosen to research and analyse Musical Theatre and
Contemporary Dance; two very different genres in which sound design is incredibly important in setting specific atmospheres.
Most sound designers have come from being
composersDesign, install and
operate
Working extremely closely with the directors and
choreographers
Evoke emotion, underscore the action
and create mood & atmosphere
Sourcing the sound/music
Edit the sound
Diegetic and non diegetic
soundsWhat equipment is needed and where?
Reading/analysing the script and adding
cues
THE SOUND DESIGNER
• Time• Place• Season• Era
• Mood & atmosphere• Society/class• Culture
• Geographical location
ANALYSIS OF SOUND
Musical theatre is a form of theatre that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The story and emotional content of the piece are communicated
through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the performance.
MUSICAL THEATRE
Conventional approach
Often a traditional score is used
Motif & motif
developmentLive
orchestra
Sound effects
Spoon fed to the audience
Diegetic & non diegetic
Often uses direct
correlation http://
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KA6R1DMb-Z8#t=325
Contemporary Dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres
including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid
dance movements.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Original scores used
Can work in direct correlation or be
completely disassociated
Can provide structural devices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0IH_rrpj0CU#t=6
Place, mood, time
Experimental approach – no
rules
Motifs
Similarities Differences
COMPARISON
• Both genres create a specific
atmosphere through sound
design• Both genres
CAN BE narrative
• Contemporary dance expresses emotion through
movement• Musical theatre
always follows a storyline
• Musical theatre is spoon fed – the
audience is never left wondering why
something happened
• Contemporary dance is open to the
audience’s own interpretation