ABSTRACT

This book guides nonfiction storytellers in the art of creatively and strategically using sound to engage their audience and bring stories to life.

Sound is half of film and video storytelling, and yet its importance is often overlooked until a post-production emergency arises. Written by two experienced creators—one a seasoned nonfiction producer/director with a background in music, and one a sound designer who owns a well-regarded mix studio—this book teaches nonfiction producers, filmmakers, and branded content creators how to reimagine their storytelling by improving sound workflow from field to post. In addition to real-world examples from the authors’ own experiences, interviews with and examples from industry professionals across many genres of nonfiction production are included throughout.

Written in a conversational style, the book pinpoints practical topics and considerations like 360 video and viewer accessibility. As such, it is a vital point of reference for all nonfiction filmmakers, directors, and producers, or anyone wanting to learn how to improve their storytelling.

An accompanying Companion Website offers listening exercises, production sound layout diagrams, templates, and other resources.

chapter 1|14 pages

Sound Basics

chapter 2|12 pages

Storytelling with Sound

chapter 3|24 pages

Preparing for Location Sound

chapter 4|24 pages

Location Sound Strategies

chapter 5|10 pages

Voiceover Narration and Story

chapter 6|19 pages

Preparing for Your Sound Mix

chapter 7|23 pages

Your Mix Session

chapter 9|15 pages

Music Scores

chapter 10|24 pages

Spatial Audio

Emerging Technologies in Immersive Sound

chapter 11|15 pages

Making Videos Accessible