The Craftsman: The use of sound design to elicit emotions

Abstract

Abstract By looking at the relationship between audience emotions and a film’s soundtrack, this research started by asking the question ‘Are a listening-viewers Emotional Reactions to moving-picture sound design identifiable, predictable and repeatable?’. If so, can we pre-determine how an audience will react to audio stimuli, and, can we develop sound design techniques for triggering specific audience responses? This article proposes that within a film soundtrack, four distinct sound areas can be defined and described as the Logical, Abstract, Temporal and Spatial areas. The Logical Sound area is concerned with sound that carries direct communication and meaning. Dialogue and commentary are the most important examples of this area, which also includes symbolic and signalling sounds such as ring-tones, sirens, and other sounds and music with a clearly defined meaning. The Abstract Sound area is concerned with sounds that have a less codified and clear meaning. Atmospheres, backgrounds, room tones, sound effects and music are examples of these. The Temporal Sound area is concerned with the evolution in time of the sound design. Its characteristics are rhythm, pace and punctuation. This area can include music, sound effects and voice. The Spatial Sound area is concerned with the positioning of sounds within a three-dimensional soundfield. We propose that the definition of these areas provides a useful framework for sound designers and academics to devise and analyse how emotions can be elicited through sound design.