‘The Creator’ Sound Design: What Can You Learn From It?

Sound design is crucial in a film, as in any audiovisual work: it enriches the experience, adds emotional depth, creates atmosphere, and guides the narrative by conveying vital information, hence without this part of the production work, the film would not be what it is. Sound contributes significantly to the immersion of the viewer and can generate emotions, from suspense to joy, it also sets the mood, provides clues to the plot and characters, and ensures the coherence of the cinematic world.

The film "The Creator" is a very interesting sample of sound design that fuses emotion with technology, and nature with innovation, and this is due to its focus on authenticity and originality, which makes it a crucial element for the viewer's immersion in the film. Edwards shot in eight different countries, creating an authentic action set that lacked temporary visual effects and music, and this provided the sound design team with an exceptional blank canvas to work with to create an immersive and realistic experience.

Today we'll talk a bit about how the soundscape of this epic work was forged, following an in-depth analysis from the talented experts at Sound Post House, Doppler & Dubbs.

So, what is the film about? Spoilers aside (don't worry), we can say that, in 2055, after a nuclear detonation in Los Angeles, the world is plunged into a desperate struggle for survival. The United States and its allies seek to eradicate artificial intelligence (AI) to avoid extinction, while New Asia embraces AI, triggering a brutal conflict. An American undercover agent gets drawn into the conflict and discovers that his wife Maya, the supposed daughter of the mysterious "Creator" of New Asia's AI, is alive. Recruited to destroy a weapon, which turns out to be the technologically-controlled robot girl Alphie, Taylor unravels the truth behind the tragedy in Los Angeles and the complex relationship between humans and AI.

From the beginning, "The Creator" set out to convey a visceral connection to the primordial elements: water, earth, fire, and air. The goal was to take the viewer from the raw essence of nature to the heights of technology. This translated into a sound design that embraced both the organic and the synthetic.

Gareth Edwards showed his dedication to the sound design of the movie in a unique way by providing sound effects on set during filming. This commitment was not limited to mental notes or verbal discussions about the direction he wanted to take in the film. While directing and verbalizing his ideas, the director was also involved in the creation of sound effects. This active participation included imitating sounds such as "pew pew pew" during action scenes, which, while amusing and poignant, had a clear purpose: to set the pace and synchronize shots. In short, Gareth Edwards designed the soundscape of the film in his mind while directing, demonstrating his exceptional commitment to the sound of the film. This could be valuable material for future special features on the home release of "The Creator."

The process began with the layering of foley recordings, a mix of sounds captured in the real world. These layers spanned a wide spectrum of frequencies, from deep aquatic rumbles to the high-pitched crackle of a campfire. To further highlight and emphasize these qualities, synthetic elements were incorporated, injecting a sense of ever-growing energy. As the narrative evolved, the sound design brought the viewer into the technological age, using electronic elements and vocal effects to create a palpable impact. Distortions, pitch shifts, and electric static added to the growing sense of energy, setting the stage for the film's climax. In this way, the film features a powerful combination between its sound design and Hans Zimmer's masterfully composed musical score. Zimmer's music holds on to the raw elements that drive the sound design, fusing tribal vocals, Viking-style trumpets, and cinematic percussion with hybrid cello drones. Tribal rhythms guide the narrative, culminating in a striking metallic flash as the Lotus Evija is revealed.

The music focuses on the lower frequencies, which complements the sound design that occupies the upper range, adding clarity and emphasis. This collaboration involves the manipulation of classical instruments such as cellos, flutes, and guitars, fused with cinematic effects and tribal drums, resulting in a unique and rich musical palette. The line between sound design and music is blurred, allowing both elements to merge into a cohesive soundscape. This essential balance creates an immersive experience that takes the viewer from the elemental to the high-tech.

In creating the sound of a giant futuristic tank in "The Creator," Erik Aadahl faced a creative challenge. The tank lacked a distinctive sound due to the lack of physical connections to its wheels. The sound design team reverse-engineered to imagine a futuristic technology that could generate its distinctive sound. Despite experimenting with sound effects and failing to achieve a satisfactory result, a fluke on a car trip where the vehicle ran off the median provided the perfect sound, which Aadahl integrated as the tank's main sound, adding authenticity and uniqueness to the sound design. As for the tank's targeting mechanism and its laser beams, the goal was to create a sense of danger and nausea, aligning with director Gareth Edwards' vision. This meticulous attention to detail and pursuit of unique sounds contributed to the film's exceptional and distinctive sound design.

"The Creator" serves as an educational opportunity to explore the synergy between sound design and music, offering lessons on how to effectively integrate both elements to elevate the overall impact of a film.

Overall, it is an interesting work. It offers a valuable lesson in combining traditional and experimental sound elements to create a cohesive and transformative sonic environment. The movie's commitment to authenticity and the use of real-life audio recordings provide practical inspiration for sound designers seeking originality and realism. Don’t miss it.

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*The images used on this post are taken from Pexels.com