There is a saying, an idiom…wise words from generations ago. You can't un-ring the bell. It has other versions too: you can’t turn back the clock, you can’t put toothpaste back in the tube, you cant unscramble an egg… They all have the same basic meaning: once something has occurred, it can’t be un-done. You can’t unhear it, un-see it, unknow it. I’ve, got one of those too…Here, let me ring this bell for you…(evil laugh)
INTRO Podcast. Presented by Sonic Embassy. Episode 15: You can't un-ring the bell, RC versus the Wilhelm scream.
Welcome to Podcast. Presented by Sonic Embassy, and the first episode of a new mini-series we call: You can't un-ring the bell. This new series is all about that time, that moment, when we heard something, or saw something, or learned something, that totally changed the way we viewed that, whatever it was, from that day onward. Maybe you’re glad your eyes were opened. Maybe you wish you never did, and now it’s ruined it for you. Either way, You can't un-ring the bell.
I figured I would get this series started with a personal experience.
First of all, let me preface this episode by saying that I love sounds. I love sound design and I love Foley and the talented artists that bring much of our entertainment content to life. From tv and movies, to video games, and pretty much anything that has sound, these are some of the unsung heroes who enhance our content, which many times we would only notice, if their work… (silence)...wasn’t there.
In many cases the sounds need to be, and are recorded later and added later in the process. Other than the spoken dialogue, many times the sounds you hear from vehicles…background crowds…footsteps….are all mixed in later. Hey I get it. I love it. Especially when you can’t tell.
That being said, there are a few stock sounds that have been used over the years that drive me nuts. I hate them. Sounds that to my ears do not sound authentic. Maybe some of the other ones can be the subject of a future episode of You can't un-ring the bell. But for this episode, let’s focus on: The Wilhelm Scream………….I hate it.
The Wilhelm Scream. Most of you have probably never heard that name before. Maybe you’ve never heard the sound before. Actually, I’m almost 100% sure you’ve heard it, you just didn’t notice it, and you continued on watching whatever program you were watching with out a second thought. Well, allow me to ruin it for you, I mean enlighten you on it.
What is it? In short: it’s
Hey, you're on a roll. Don't stop now. Listen to the full episode here. And let us know what you think.