Creativity on set: faking sounds
In film we often say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it is the sound that really decides how we should feel. To dig deeper into this craft, we put a direct question to David Fuentes: have you ever used an absurd object to fake a sound on a shoot?
His answer was not just a curious anecdote but a lesson in pure ingenuity applied to storytelling.
The ingenuity behind foley and everyday objects
Sound design, and the art of foley in particular, is as much about knack as it is about technique. David explained how he has used objects completely out of context, everyday things we all have at home, to create terrifying sounds that would be impossible to achieve any other way.
This ability to see (or rather, hear) the storytelling potential in an absurd object is what separates a technician from a creator. In sound design, creativity is as vital as it is in writing the script or in cinematography.
If there is one genre where sound reigns supreme, it is horror. David points out that what the audience hears is the most powerful tool for invisibly manipulating tension.
- Manipulating tension: an unsettling sound made by an unexpected object can cut deeper than any digital effect.
- Atmosphere: sound design builds the space the eye cannot see, creating a sense of imminent danger.
Beyond technique: imagination and craft
What became clear from this chat is that sound design is not just about expensive microphones or the latest software. It is, above all, an exercise in imagination.
The knack for turning the knock of a household object into a world-class sound effect is what defines the talent we have in our province.
