SONIC DESIGN / PROJECT 3 - AUDIO STORYTELLING
23/09/2024 - 20/12/2024 / Week 1- Week 14
Chew Zhi Ern / 0358995
Sonic Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 3 / Audio Storytelling
Figure 3. Adobe Audition Workspace
Experience:
Sonic Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 3 / Audio Storytelling
INSTRUCTIONS
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For this project, we will select a fairy-tale story and create an engaging audiobook. This task builds on the skills developed in auditory imaging, requiring us to not only design a compelling soundscape but also incorporate recorded voice acting to bring the story to life. The objective is to integrate sound effects, voice recordings, and creative sound design to enhance the storytelling experience. The final audiobook should mimic a radio show, captivating listeners through immersive audio and carefully crafted sound elements.
I chose an important scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as my project. The visit of the Queen, her trick with the poisoned apple, Snow White's fall, and the return of the dwarfs are the main focus of this section. In order to create an immersive auditory experience, my method involved draughting the script, recording the conversation and narration, including voice acting, and adding sound effects and music.
The first step was gathering references to guide the adaptation. I referred to the classic animated version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and an online flipbook adaptation available on AnyFlip. These references helped me understand the tone, pacing, and key elements of the story, especially the interaction between the Queen, Snow White, and the dwarfs. Here are the references link:
With the references in mind, I wrote the script focusing on the part where the Queen poisons Snow White, and the dwarfs discover her unconscious. The script incorporating narration, dialogue, sound effects (SFX), and music cues. The narration carried the story forward, providing transitions and setting the scene, while the dialogue gave life to the characters. I used descriptive cues to outline the placement of SFX and music, such as door creaks, footsteps, and a biting apple sound. Each line of dialogue was carefully crafted to reflect the characters' personalities.
Figure 1. Script Breakdown
Using my iPhone 14 Pro Max, I recorded the narration and dialogue in my room. I ensured the room was as quiet as possible by minimizing background noise and echo. Each character’s lines were recorded separately to capture distinct voices for Snow White, the Queen, and the dwarfs. I used different vocal tones and emotions to suit each role, such as a soft, reassuring tone for Snow White and a sinister, raspy voice for the Queen.
Sound effects and background music were sourced from free platforms like Freesound.org and Stocktune. I downloaded key effects such as door creaks, footsteps, birds fluttering, and the crunch of an apple bite. Background music was chosen to transition from a light and magical tone for the dwarfs’ scene to a dark and suspenseful tone for the Queen’s arrival and Snow White’s collapse.
After that, I imported the recorded audio, sound effects, and music into Adobe Audition for editing. Each element was placed on separate tracks to allow for detailed adjustments and layering.
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| Figure 2. Audio Imported |
Following the script, I arranged the narration, dialogue, SFX, and music into a cohesive timeline. Timing was critical to ensure that events like the Queen’s knock or Snow White’s collapse synchronized perfectly with the sound effects. The transitions between scenes were carefully managed to maintain the story's flow.
To ensure smooth transitions and balance, I adjusted the volume levels of each track, applied noise reduction where needed, and other necessary settings. Equalisation was also applied to some tracks to ensure the voice recordings stood out against the background music.
Finally, I reviewed the entire sequence to ensure timing and audio quality met expectations. After making minor adjustments, I exported the final audio file. The audio was then synced with visuals, such as a flipbook-style slideshow, to complement the storytelling.
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| Figure 4. Visuals |
Here is the final outcome for this exercise.
Figure 5. Final Outcome
REFLECTIONS
It was thrilling to work on this project since it brought together a variety of elements, including music, sound effects, voice acting, and narration, to produce a rich, immersive auditory experience. My fairy tale of choice was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs because it had the ideal balance of dramatic tension and humorous moments. The creation of this audiobook was similar to directing a radio play in that each element has to create the tone of the story and captivate the listener's imagination.
Observations:
One of the key observations from this project was how each sound element contributed to the overall storytelling. For instance, the soft, magical opening music set the tone for the fairy tale, while the ominous strings during the Queen's arrival built suspense. Voice acting was another critical component; each character's unique voice had to convey their personality and emotions clearly. Additionally, sound effects like the crunch of the apple and the dwarfs’ whistling helped enhance the realism and keep the listener engaged.
Findings:
Through this project, I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of audio storytelling. I discovered the importance of timing and layering in sound design—how a slight pause or subtle sound effect could dramatically impact the narrative flow. It also became clear that balancing the audio levels of narration, dialogue, and background sounds was essential to maintain clarity and prevent the story from becoming overwhelming.
This project reinforced the importance of collaboration between technical skills and creative vision. It allowed me to explore my voice acting abilities, refine my sound editing techniques, and think critically about how each auditory element serves the story. Overall, it was a fulfilling experience that broadened my understanding of sound design's potential in storytelling.
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