Editing by tom baker

For CUP633 I will be writing an essay to reflect on the process of designing the sound for a scene from the A24 film ‘Hereditary’. I am hoping to gain the best mark possible using different planning and research techniques before actually writing the essay, I will then implement my unique way of writing into the essay, along with references and good presentation.

To help me reflect on the practical side of this module, I have created a schedule that tell’s me when I need to have certain things completed by. This is important to me as I feel that planning is one of, if not the most important part of working to a deadline. This is because good planning helps to keep things organised and stress free, it also shows me what I need to be focusing on at different stages. This is also helpful to my essay as it will show me when I created and impleted things within my sound scape, thus helping me to reflect on each stage of my production. To help me reflect I will also be taking notes of everything I do when recording and adding sounds to my project, this means when it comes time to write my essay I can look back at my notes and see how I done certain things and how I felt it went, helping me to capture my thoughts and feelings throughout the process.

As well as planning the practical side of the module I will also be planning the essay itself. Before I start to write the essay I will plan out the main things I want to talk about. Once I have an idea of what I want to talk about I will then plan each section, the start, middle and ending, to what I want to say. Planning what I say in which part of the essay will help me to stay organised. As well as this it will help me be able to focus on one part of the essay at a time, meaning I can go into more detail on the parts of the essay that I feel are important.

Whilst writing the essay I feel it is important for me to stick to a few rules. For example I need to make sure I am consistent with not being overly descriptive of the process. As well as not being descriptive I will make sure that I am persausive throughout the essay and I go into great depth throughout. I will also be making sure I explain every quote that I put into my essay, this will help the reader understand why I put this quote into the essay and also why I felt the essay relates to my work.

To help me prepare for my essay I will be doing research not only into the practical side of sound design but also the theoretical side, this will help me to understand why sound designers do certain things and why these things they do actually work. I also hope to learn why and how audiences react to certain things better than others. Some books I will be looking into are ‘Sound Design theory and practice’ by Leo Murray and ‘ Sound Design for moving image: From concept to realization’ by Kahra Scott-James.

In conclusion, planning and organisation will be the biggest factor to help me get the best mark possible. As well as this I know that a great amount of research will be needed to ensure I get a grade that I can be happy with. However, when actually writing the essay the most important thing I can do is explain my self and go into detail, whilst making sure to not be too descriptive.