Sound
·
·
3 min read
The sound of a cut: why whooshes work
A transition you can hear feels faster than one you only see. A few notes on using sound design lightly.
Editors reach for visual transitions first, but the ear decides whether a cut feels smooth. A small sound in the right place does more than any wipe.
Lead the picture
Start the sound two or three frames before the cut. The audience hears the change coming and the picture simply confirms it.
Keep it quiet
If people notice the whoosh, it is too loud. Mix it under the music until it is felt more than heard.
Use room tone as glue
Silence between clips sounds like a mistake. A bed of room tone under the whole sequence hides every edit point.