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Step 1: Script Analysis

Script Analysis is the vital first step to starting the process of sound design for production. 

As I read through a script, I keep an eye out for the director's notes. Director notes describe the feeling, sounds, and actions going on in that specific moment of the scene. When a sound effect is described, immediately the process of how that sound will be conveyed starts. If the director's notes say there is a “loud ping," the question becomes: "How will that sound? What is the setting, time, and ambiance of the scene? Does this sound echo or is it like a loud flash? Can the sound be found on the Internet, or does it have to be made?"

Furthermore, a mic plot needs to be made. As I am reading through the script i’m also looking to see what character is talking and on what page. Indicating who needs a mic and when. Mic plots are crucial to the show as without them, putting body mics on actors would be complete chaos.

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Step 2: The Making Of Sound

Sound effects offer an incredible array of options for enhancing productions, but sometimes, the exact sound I envision simply is not available online. This is where the art of Foley truly shines. Foley is the creative process of generating sound effects using everyday household items, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. In my tech class, my teacher taught me about the art of Foley. This is when I knew I had to incorporate it into our productions. Foley brought my imagination into the real world. In my school’s production of Alice in Wonderland, Foley was used for the very first time, at my request. It played a crucial role in bringing the whimsical world to life and immersing the audience in Alice's fantastical journey.

A foley audio clip of a lock turning back and forth

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Gun Pop - And Then There Were None Nov 2022

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Knights Armor clashing together while riding horses - Alice In Wonderland Nov 2023

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Horse Neigh - Alice In Wonderland Nov 2023

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Horse Hooves - Alice In Wonderland Nov 2023

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Step 3: Piecing It Together

After recording and editing the audio clips, they’re integrated into productions, playing a vital role in storytelling. Sound effects and foley recordings aren't limited to the stage; they also resonate offstage, contributing to a narrative experience. Each sound serves as a piece of a larger puzzle, weaving together the true story of auditory storytelling.

This is where soundscapes come into play. Soundscapes consist of carefully curated audio clips that, when combined, allow listeners to vividly visualize the story in their minds. Audio is not just something to be heard; it’s an imaginative force that invites the audience to engage with the narrative on a deeper level.

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We all know the classic story of Humpty Dumpty having his great big fall. This is the first soundscape I ever made back in 2022 trying to capture the story through audio.

CLIFFHANGER is my most recent work detailing the story of a girl who wakes up on a rainy day but things take a quick turn.

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SHOW TIME!

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Beyond School Tech

As my sophomore year came to an end, I finally had enough shows under my belt to join the International Thespian Society (ITS). ITS was a way to further connect with my school's theatre community. As part of this honor society, we put on the school's haunted house, had monthly meetings to grow our school's theatre community, and were assigned to “families” to plan our own individual activities. 

Tech Theatre gave me a passion for sound design. Going into my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to learn more. That Fall, I got into a Sound Design Internship at NC Theatre Conservatory. I helped teach Logic while learning more about it myself. That following summer, I once again landed an internship there for the Summer Program. I helped build sets for the summer musicals, edited tracks for vocal and dance lessons, and painted the sets as well.

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NC THEATRE CONSERVATORY WORK:

A music track I created using Logic in my Sound Design Internship - Fall 2023

Work on a cement wall flat with my teacher and fellow intern - Summer 2024 (on top)

My own project of the 7/11 sign for the show Heathers - Summer 20204