|
I understand that you want to hear atmos and the World around the characters, but let me ask you this. When you are out on a busy street with your friend are you (A)really hearing every word your friend says and the traffic at an equal or louder level than the dialogue, or (B)does your mind tame down the traffic so it's easier to hear your friend? The answer should be (B). Our minds can calm the noise that isn't important at the moment so we can more clearly understand the important information.
This is what we do in film. In a wide shot we might have a little more Ambience because we want the audience to understand our location, but when we pull in to a closer shot, when Dialogue becomes the focus it is important to pull out some of that ambience so that Audience doesn't need to struggle with making that separation.
There ARE big cinematic moments where the Ambience needs to be bigger and louder. Think the last third of AVATAR. There is sound coming from every speaker and at a good level too. You aren't noticing it that much, because you mind is plastered to the screen listening to the actors, watching the explosions and listening to the mass of audio coming from directly in front of you.
I have had directors tell me during the final mix they want more BGs in the surrounds. I give them a little, then a little more and go until they feel satisfied. EVERYTIME this has happened, a week later they will ask me if I can put it back down. In film Dialogue is King, everything else is just for fun. If the story is good, you shouldn't even notice the BGs.
I predict AVATAR takes the Oscar for Sound. Any other takers?
__________________
Beetus
|