Sound
1894
Dickson Experimental Sound Film Test
1894
Dickson Experimental Sound Film Test
- produced by Edison Manufacturing Co.
1894
Dickson Experimental Sound Film Test
- produced by Edison Manufacturing Co.
- first sound film (test)
Commercially, sound would not become part of movies for another 30 years
Commercially, sound would not become part of movies for another 30 years
That’s when EVERYTHING changed
Motivations for sound film:
Motivations for sound film:
- High costs of film exhibition-orchestra, live musicians were expensive (unionized)
Motivations for sound film:
- High costs of film exhibition-orchestra, live musicians were expensive (unionized)
-competition from radio
Motivations for sound film:
- High costs of film exhibition-orchestra, live musicians were expensive (unionized)
-competition from radio
- Narratives more complex, required more subtitles (interrupting flow of images/editing)
Two technologies:
Two technologies:
Two technologies:
Vitaphone (developed by Warner Bros.)- sound with film system (SWF)
Two technologies:
Two technologies:
Vitaphone (developed by Warner Bros.)- sound with film system (SWF)
Movietone (developed by Fox)- sound on film system (SOF)
SWF used a phonograph and a projector running simultaneously
SWF used a phonograph and a projector running simultaneously
- this system was prone to going out of sync
sound
Picture
SOF put the soundtrack ON the film itself
SOF put the soundtrack ON the film itself
- this is essentially the same system we use today
1926 Warner Bros. released DON JUANstarring John Barrymore and Mary Astor
1926 Warner Bros. released DON JUANstarring John Barrymore and Mary Astor
1926 Warner Bros. released DON JUANstarring John Barrymore and Mary Astor
- had a recorded musical score
1927Warner Bros. released THE JAZZ SINGERstarring Al Jolson
1927Warner Bros. released THE JAZZ SINGERstarring Al Jolson
- had recorded dialogue
1927Warner Bros. released THE JAZZ SINGERstarring Al Jolson
-had recorded dialogue-Used Vitaphone
The popularity of these films marked the end of the silent era
The popularity of these films marked the end of the silent era
Spring of 1928
The popularity of these films marked the end of the silent era
Spring of 1928
- silent films essentially VANISHED
Effects of SOUND?
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
- New writers & speech coaches hired
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
- New writers & speech coaches hired
- Musicals appeared
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
- New writers & speech coaches hired
- Musicals appeared
- Production costs went up
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
- New writers & speech coaches hired
- Musicals appeared
- Production costs went up
- International market declined
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
- New writers & speech coaches hired
- Musicals appeared
- Production costs went up
- International market declined
- Theater musicians lost their jobs
Effects of SOUND?
- Ended careers of silent film stars
- New writers & speech coaches hired
- Musicals appeared
- Production costs went up
- International market declined
- Theater musicians lost their jobs
- Cameras have to be “blimped” limiting mobility
Types of sound TERMS
Types of sound
SYNCHRONOUS SOUND (sync sound)- sound matches picture, recorded same time as image
TERMS
Types of sound
SYNCHRONOUS SOUND (sync sound)- sound matches picture, recorded same time as image
NON-SYNCHRONOUS SOUND- not recorded during shooting (foley sfx, etc.)
TERMS
Types of sound
SYNCHRONOUS SOUND (sync sound)- sound matches picture, recorded same time as image
NON-SYNCHRONOUS SOUND- not recorded during shooting (foley sfx, etc.)
DIEGETIC SOUND- generated by things on the screen
TERMS
Types of sound
SYNCHRONOUS SOUND (sync sound)- sound matches picture, recorded same time as image
NON-SYNCHRONOUS SOUND- not recorded during shooting (foley sfx, etc.)
DIEGETIC SOUND- generated by things on the screen
NON-DIEGETIC SOUND- source of sound not in picture (VO, music, etc.)
TERMS
The General (1927)
Directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman
Starring Buster Keaton as Johnny