Sound Project Reflection

For our project, we were tasked with creating a 1-2 minute scene that unfolds in real-time, using sounds to represent actions and environments realistically. We could only use seven words of dialogue and had to include at least four foley sounds made from everyday objects.

I learned about the power of sound in storytelling and how sound effects and auditory techniques can convey a narrative without visuals. It was interesting to see how everyday sounds can be incorporated in a story.

My partner Fabi and I chose to depict an elevator ride to the office. This scenario fits within a 1-2 minute timespan and offers a variety of sounds. During brainstorming, we listed every sound that would occur: footsteps approaching the building, door handles turning, ambient lobby noises, pressing the elevator button, the elevator’s ding, doors opening and closing, elevator ascent sounds, and ambient office noises upon exit. I decided on the phrases “Hold the door!” and “Thank you” for the limited dialogue, and I sourced the "Hold the door!" from a movie and "Thank you" from YouTube.

Source of our "Hold the door", a movie called "The Blues Brothers" (1980)

The outline helped me organize these sounds effectively. By detailing each sound and noting which ones would be foley sounds, I could plan the recording and editing process more efficiently. I used CapCut for editing, which allowed me to layer and adjust the sounds accurately.

Our Outline

CapCut Timeline

Reflecting on the project, I’m pleased with how the sounds came together to tell the story. The foley sounds added a personal touch. This project taught me a lot about how sound shapes a narrative. However, I realize the outline could have been more detailed and a little longer. It had about 20 sound elements, but aiming for 25 would have provided more length. Next time, I’d include more sounds.

Here's our project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11L_vfaeYlB2Pp9IRkYhUF8V5zmAPZ9qD/view