SOUND DESIGN FOR ANIMATION BREAKDOWN: FX + MUSIC LAYERS

Isolation of sound effects and music layers + playback of full mix w/ voiceover by Sudarsna Mukund on the Sishir Bommakanti-directed intro to Hellavision's "Web 5000" animation anthology. See the full intro here.

In keeping with work that explores “the maximal speculative future of the internet”, many of the graphics in this Matrix-y world (Animatrix was a frequent reference point in our style guide) are raw and pixellated. I responded to this texture with a lo-bit grit and grain in both music and sound design– as well as a sparky sizzle to reflect the molten flashes of the visuals. I also delved into glassy layers– a smooth sheen, as well as tinkles and suggestions of glass breakage– in the musical textures to evoke the crystalline aspect of the animation.

Given the busy visuals, tucking in the voiceover was often a challenge. An example here is balancing an explosion going off at the same time as breathy VO. It took a bit of fancy footwork, but I got there eventually.

The collection on the whole is hilarious, innovative, insightful, bewildering, terrifying, and plenty more besides.

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More work by Cool Cat Audio for animation

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