Artistic direction in any animated film is very important! In this episode, Paislee will discuss more about this idea and how it’s shaped animation today!
Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. JSK Stories is not affiliated nor sponsored from any of the films discussed on this channel. Ratings and parental guides for each film may be found on https://www.imdb.com.
Greetings, pals! (makes sound effect noises) You guessed it! Today we are talking about sound design! But not just any kind of sound design… the sound design in the 1977 film, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope! I must take a moment now to express my deep love and appreciation for all the Star Wars films. Everything about these films just blows my kernels away! I love Star Wars!
What makes a galaxy far, far away so magical is the sound design. The sounds we hear as we watch a movie can really affect our emotions and reactions to certain scenes. Sounds are important to also build the world we are viewing. In the world of Star Wars, this is especially important! Can you imagine the lightsaber without sound? Can you imagine Chewbacca without his unique growl? It wouldn’t be the same!
The sound designer for this film was Ben Burtt, who won an Academy Award for his sound editing. Here are a few of the iconic sounds he created for this film. R2-D2’s sounds were made by Burtt imitating “baby noises” over an intercom. He then used a synthesizer to create the final mix. The blaster sounds were a modified recording of a tense steel cable being struck. The lightsaber sounds were made with motors in an old movie projector with television interference! The television interference was something he stumbled on accidentally when trying to find the buzzy, spark sound for the lightsaber. Chewbacca is a combination of different dogs, bears, lions, tigers, and walruses! And last, but certainly not least, the infamous Darth Vader breathing was created by Burtt breathing through a scuba mask with a microphone.
George Lucas, the director and writer of Star Wars, referred to Burtt’s collection of sounds for the film as an “organic soundtrack”. I interpret that as the atmosphere for the entire film. When you think of the world you live in, what would your atmosphere or “organic soundtrack” sound like? What sounds make up the world you live in?
Sound design is so important in film, and I hope you learned a lot today! I can’t wait to see you in our next episode! Have a POP-tastic day!