Emphasising the artistry behind the decisions made by theatrical sound designers, this guide is for anyone seeking to understand the nature of sound and how to apply it to the stage. Through tried-and-tested advice and lessons in practical application, The Art of Theatrical Sound Design allows developing artists to apply psychology, physiology, sociology, anthropology and all aspects of sound phenomenology to theatrical sound design.
Structured in three parts, the book explores, theoretically, how human beings perceive the vibration of sound; offers exercises to develop support for storytelling by creating an emotional journey for the audience; considers how to collaborate and communicate as a theatre artist; and discusses how to create a cohesive sound design for the stage.
Contents
Introduction
Who am I?
Why life choices matter
How this book can help you
PART ONE THEORETIC FOUNDATION
Sound and Human Perception
Humans as artists
Aesthetic response
Mind-body connection
Biology, physics, and psychology
Perception
Describing sound
Describing music
Theatre artists
The Art of Spatial Design
Space and place
Four aspects to auditory spatial awareness
The architects
Auditory subcultures
Cultural value of acoustic context
Nature of cultural silence
Aural texture
Soundmarks
Subspaces
The theater space
Practical application
Temporal and spatial spreading
Reverberation
Part 1 Exercises
PART TWO CONTEXTUAL APPLICATION AND EXERCISES
Exercises to Develop Artistic Sound Design Skills
Moving forward
Themes
Repetition
Punctuation
Dynamics
Ambience
Drones
Time
Concrete vs. abstract
History Exercises Using Tools
Music in the 1600s
Music in the 1700s
Music in the 1800s
Music 1900-1920
Music 1920-1940
Music 1940-1960
Music 1960-1980
Music 1980-2000
Music 2000-2010
PART THREE THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS
Applying Tools and Artistic Collaboration
Working with text
Theatrical application
Collaborative Process of a Sound Designer
Intellectual interpretation
Design and production meetings
Rehearsals
Quiet time and level set
The first moment sound is heard
Tech
Objective and subjective listening
Previews
Ownership
Cohesion, Convention, and Implementation in Tech
Cohesion
Convention
Cohesion in the tech process
Cohesion with voice and movement
Cohesion with your collaborators
Communication for the Artistic Process
Group dynamics
Behavior and attitude
Motivation and self-empowerment = Assertiveness
Self-awareness skills
Self-talk
Taking self-responsibility
Feedback
The digital age-the first introduction
Communication in the digital age-email etiquette
Interpreting visual representation
Cooperation vs. collaboration
Communication
Conclusion
Bibliography
Glossary
