Sound effects, then and now

Do you know what a sound effect is or what context they are used in?

A sound effect is any sound, other than speech or music, that is added to make media (like television or movies) more exciting and realistic. For example, the sound of snow crunching under boots while someone walks.

Before television and movies, people listened to radio dramas (plays read out loud on the radio, also called radio plays) for entertainment. Sound effects played an important role in making radio dramas.

Check out the following video of the 1938 radio drama Back of the Mike, and notice what tools were used to create sound effects.

What tools did you notice being used in the radio drama?

Today, the art of recreating and performing everyday sound effects is called Foley, named after the sound effects artist Jack Foley. But not all sound effects used in media are created this way every time.

Check out the following video from the “Sound Editor/Sports Statistician” episode of the show When I Grown Up to learn some of the different ways sound effects are created for modern media.

Sound effects make media come alive! They are especially important in media forms that are sound-only. In this learning activity, you will explore different types of sound-only, or audio, media to learn about how the technology has evolved over time.

From radio waves to podcast files

Technology changes very quickly in our modern world. Let’s explore a few examples of how some audio media, or listening technologies, have evolved over time.

Radio then

Radio is a form of audio media whose purpose is to inform and entertain.

Radio was used to share news, speeches, musical performances, drama stories, and more! By 1936, about half of Canadian households regularly listened to the radio for information and entertainment in either English or French. It was very typical for many families to gather around a radio to listen to their favourite programs. Radio remained the main source of entertainment until the 1950s, when television took over.

Radio now

Radio is still an important form of communication today, with more than 900 radio stations in Canada. With so many stations to choose from, some radio stations specialize in one certain type of information or entertainment. For example:

• news
• traffic
• weather
• country music
• pop music
• classical music

Listening to the radio is free, and you can access it from a car, a computer, or a device at home or on the go, such as some phones or smart speakers. You do not have to pay to listen to traditional radio because radio stations play commercials, which are advertisements paid for by businesses, that cover the radio station’s costs.

You might have noticed that during a long car ride, your favourite radio station becomes staticky and no longer sounds clear. That is because traditional radio uses ground antennas to transmit sound. The farther you are from that radio tower, the less clear your radio station becomes. This does not happen with newer forms of radio: internet or satellite radio. Because they are digital, listeners can experience crystal-clear audio no matter where they are in the world.

Podcasts

Podcasts are a modern form of audio media that deliver news, information, and entertainment, just like radio does. The biggest difference between podcasts and radio, though, is that podcasts are listened to “on-demand,” meaning you can listen to them however and whenever you want.

Another special trait of podcasts is how varied their topics are. Some podcasts offer general daily or weekly news, but most focus on one specific theme or topic. You can listen to podcasts about:

• world news
• the lives of celebrities
• history
• science
• culture
• personal development
• goal setting
• storytelling

Podcasts might be hosted by a single person, or they might be hosted by two or more hosts. Some podcasts have a serious, informational tone, like someone reading the news, while others are more casual, like friends having a conversation or discussion together.

You can listen to many podcasts directly from websites or using specific apps on a phone or tablet. This is what makes them “on-demand”!

Most podcasts are free, but some podcasts require a subscription to access extra content, to get early access to new episodes, or to listen ad-free.

It’s important to note that just like television and movies, not all podcasts are appropriate for all ages and viewers. If you are new to podcasts, be sure to check with a trusted adult for guidance on which ones might be appropriate for your age group.

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

In the following listening activity, you will listen to the first episode of a serialized podcast. Serialized podcasts tell stories over multiple episodes, just like the chapters of a novel or the episodes of a television show. Each episode is one in a series of episodes; that’s where the term “serialized” comes from. Some even build storylines over multiple seasons.

Let’s check out an example of a fictional (not real), storytelling podcast from the podcast series The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel.

Check out this audio clip from Season 1, Episode 1 titled “Code Red”. As you listen, pay attention to how voice acting and sound effects create the mood of the story.

Let’s check!

Check your understanding by answering the following multiple choice questions. Select the correct answer, then press Check Answer to see how you did.

The podcast series The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a fictional, or made up, story. What are some possible reasons for students in this story disappearing? Suggest one reasonable explanation as well as one creative possibility! Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

You are now going to have the opportunity to practice reading the script of The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel podcast episode you listened to! Choose one of the following options to complete the task.

Option 1

Read 3 pages of the script aloud (your choice which ones!) and practice creating a different voice for each character.

Option 2

Read 3 pages of the script aloud (your choice which ones!). Work with partners and divide the roles equally.

As you read, change the pitch and expression in a way that fits the emotions of the words being spoken, or the action in the scene. For example, how can you make Mars’ voice communicate urgencyor fear?

Use the following checklist to self-assess your progress with adjusting expression and intonation.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the sentences from the beginning of the script. What do you notice about them?

Did you notice that each sentence is super short and not actually a complete thought? We call these types of sentences sentence fragments because they are only part of a thought and are, therefore, incomplete sentences.

Check out the following video to learn more about sentence fragments.

It’s common to communicate using sentence fragments in spoken and written dialogue (conversation). For example, if someone asks you: "What are you doing?", you might reply: "Going for a walk." The reply is incomplete because it’s missing the subject of the sentence – you! To make it a complete sentence, you would need to say, “I’m going for a walk.”

Sentence fragments are okay to use for informal communication, like dialogue in a script, but not for formal communication, like a speech or letter. Explore some more examples of formal and informal writing in the following sorting activity.

Check out the following example.

Complete the following multiple-choice questions to practice identifying the two main parts of a complete sentence.

Select the correct answer, then press Check Answer to see how you did.

If a group of words doesn't have a subject or predicate it is not a complete sentence. It is a sentence fragment.

For example:

Ming and I

is a sentence fragment because it tells us who, but not what.

are going for a walk

is a sentence fragment because it tells us what, but not who.

Let’s check

Test your skills! Are the following examples sentence fragments or complete sentences?

Select the correct answer, then press Check Answer to see how you did.

Putting it all together

To consolidate what you’ve learned, you will now create a short dramatic fictional podcast scene of your very own!

Before you begin, consider the purpose of your podcast (to entertain) and who your target audience is (kids your age). These pieces will impact the tone and delivery of your content.

Here are three possible options for your content:

1. Act out 3 pages of the script from the podcast in this learning activity
2. Use a scene from a fiction book of your choice and act out what happens
3. Write your own original dramatic scene!

Your scene should be no more than 5 minutes recorded/performed.

In your recording/performance, be sure to include:

• Different types of character voices
• Sound effects
• Content and themes that your audience will enjoy

You can perform your podcast live or record it using a device that you have access to. Consult with your teacher or trusted adult about possible methods for recording your podcast scene.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.