How Audio will have a big role in the Film Opening

In this planning phase I will talk about sound and how it will establish its overall tone of the film opening. Our project has a lot of inspiration from street racing films and racing video games. Sound is critical. So we will include engine sounds, music in the background, and silence, as the sounds will affect how the audiences will experience each scene.


The initial back alley scene will have minimal sound effects while creating an emotional atmosphere. Low ambient sounds of the city like distant traffic or soft breezes will help establish the setting. The dialogue between Paulie and Mr. Clutch will create a bit of tension in their scene. This will help the audience to understand that this is an underground world.


For the moment the car is in the scene the sound of the engine has a greater importance. Every car should sound as if it were an extremely powerful car with the same kind of sound design in racing films and video games. We might enhance the engine in post production to try and give it some kind of emotional effect of the car by making it sound more dramatic.


Layered sounds like people talking, cars idling, small amounts of revs, and maybe music from a long distance away are going to be used to create an environment without distracting from the primary dialogue.


The most important part that has to do with sound in the entire film opening is the start of the race. First you have the countdown, which builds suspense, and then a big explosion when the motors fire. When the car stalls, all that sound will stop creating a big build up to a very funny moment and adding an element of surprise to the stall. The silence before Paulie speaks and we cut to the title creates a sense of awkwardness, which should enhance the comedic moment before he exclaims, “Shit, shit, sh—” and we cut to the title.


Audio gives more than background for this project, it also builds tension, creates realism, and gives us punchlines. By planning when to use loud engine sounds or using silence or a quiet environment appropriately, we are able to guide the audience enhance the comedic effect of our film opening.