How to add sound to amateur films (1954)

the music as inconspicuous as possible. This does not necessarily mean that the music should stop completely for the commentary, in fact, this is seldom desirable. Such a procedure heralds each passage of speech by an abrupt fading out of the music. The resumption of the music later on is equally abrupt. It is far better to fade the music to a fairly low level and bring it up again at the end. But choose music with a slow tempo unlikely to prove distracting. The commentary provides a useful cover for the transition from one piece of music to another. Fade down the music just before the voice begins, then fade right out. Start the new piece very quietly and gradually bring it up to quarter volume. When the commentary ends, bring the music smoothly up. Voices Listen attentively to your commentator's voice and see whether it blends with the music which will precede and follow. Occasionally it happens that a voice is of such a well-defined pitch that it establishes the appropriate musical key in the minds of the audience. Any music following will sound off-pitch if it is not in a related key (see p. 112). You will be lucky if this is the only fault you can find in your commentator. Some people get stage-fright before a microphone. Others become hopelessly artificial. Some never speak distinctly and yet others do not record well. If your own voice is not really suited to the microphone, face up to it! Find a friend who can speak with interest and expression. He will be flattered by your request for help, you will be better pleased with your film and your audiences will be impressed by the result. 122