We’ll say it again and as many times as we can for the rest of our days \u2014 solid audio<\/a> is crucial to the success of your film and video projects. <\/strong><\/p>\n When you neglect sound, even the most beautiful shot can feel off. And that’s because you’re neglecting the aural elements of a scene, the sounds that can and should complement (and sometimes carry) the visuals captured by your camera. And that means you’re leaving storytelling money on the table. You’re not painting a full picture of the moment you’re trying to create.<\/p>\n Thankfully, all is not lost. Sound design<\/a> will help.<\/p>\n Proper sound design can provide significant storytelling elements without even showing them in the frame. That’s why well-developed podcasts put you at the edge of your seat, just as well-developed cinema can. I put this concept to the test in my latest short film “The Statement<\/a>.”<\/p>\n In the film, I used no real<\/em> audio. I got every single sound from several popular sites, including PremiumBeat<\/a>. I’ve leaned into this model of filmmaking on nearly every project to date, and it’s doubled my production value for the low cost of a subscription to a sound effects website.<\/p>\n Of course, you should record real and RAW audio as much as possible, but the reality is, so much more story can be revealed through unseen sounds.<\/p>\n This video dives into why sound is essential to creating a cinematic environment for your project. Here are some tactical tools.<\/p>\n