For our first sound for screen session we went outside to take note of the sonic environment and atmospheres around LCC specifically the small green space and playground, St Marys churchyard by the main road. We were told to consider:
Distance, frequency, height
Atmosphere / singularity
Text / images
Abstract / real
How we could layer as field recordings
At first we sat and listened from a stationary point, eyes closed for some minutes, taking in the atmosphere, close and distant noises, relative loudness, and movement of sound… Then still listening started drawing a rough sketch with me in the centre of a visual interpretation of the sounds around me. I particularly paid attention to distance and movement expressing them more literally with arrows as well as labeling with words if specific sounds. For less identifiable sounds I used rougher lines and scribbles to represent the more mixed up noise.
Finally I started rcording with a Zoom H5 and Rode NTG2 Shotgun Mic at first from the same sat position but then walking round the square finding more singular sounds I hadn’t been able to hear before. It was interesting to study and create a map of the sounds in an area familiar to me but just hadn’t bothered to listen to, as well as using a microphone I had not used before.
It was also interesting to think in a sort of hyper-self centered fashion in relation to narrative and POV. Listening becoming inward and your sole experience when I like to think it’s more two sided, conversational almost. Sometimes I was performing for the recording or directing the mic to pick up something specific. Especially with the abundance of man made sounds in the area, it felt as though I was perhaps creating a contrived experience.
stationary:
exploring: