Audio soundtrack and soundtrack to image design

Sound plays a fundamental role in contemporary art. Yet, it is too often neglected during the creative process, due to unawareness of its importance. Based on my vast experience with different media and formats as well as with different approaches to sound (sound installations, sound for video, documentary and feature films, sound for interactive media, radio, theater, installations and performances) I will present a variety of approaches and solutions for the different types of art works. The aim of the course is to expose the students to the importance of sound within the different creative areas, specifically to the different available approaches to sound design for image. The course will provide the students with the necessary tools for hearing, listening and creating, which will ultimately allow them to create or select the soundtrack most suitable for their work. It is important to introduce the students to different ways of addressing and working on sound, even if eventually they would choose not to design sound themselves, since it would give them basic knowledge about the relevant sound design tools and concepts that would foster effective communication with sound professionals based on common ground. During the course, students would learn about the different elements that make up the completed soundtrack as it often appears in films: text (dialog), effects, ambiance, Foley effects and music, and their significance in the art work. Initially, we will focus on each of these elements separately, to understand how to achieve the best quality and finally will learn how to combine them in the most suitable way.