Posing an interesting question

[agramlich78]

I am curious as to what people think about this...

Is the purpose of sound design for a television program to support the image or represent the image?

Love to hear your thoughts.

Anna

[Tim H]

I would say that the purpose of sound is to support and advance the story.

Cheers,
Tim

[agramlich78]

Why would you say that?

[Tim H]

Originally Posted by agramlich78

Why would you say that?

Wow.

Where to start...

Ok.

Think about this: We are storytellers...I don't just mean those of us who work in this crazy industry...I mean all of us.

A collection of images - even with perfectly recorded audio from the location - is just a bunch of pictures without a point. Imagine an upscale version of a friend's holiday video or slideshow. There's several hours of your life you won't ever get back.

Without a story to give the images some kind of context, the whole shebang is just utterly pointless...and probably boring as bat**** to boot.

This is where we as audio craftsmen can help the director to tell the story in a better or more compelling way. It ain't just "see a dog - hear a dog" although that has a place...it's about what meaning or emotion we can help to convey by hearing the dog...or perhaps by not hearing the dog.

Clear as mud?

Cheers,
Tim

[JulianWillson]

Arguably TV sound is only in support and guidance of the picture, especially in American factual styles which drop sublety in favour of a slap in the face. Look at the Gordon Ramsey Hells Kitchen show for starters. There are of course more immersive CAS award winning shows that utilise a more film approach but half the time the mix is more angled towards "Oi! We've got a program on over here!".