On Bela Belazs

Bela Balazs

Bela Balazs’ piece on sound gives a great breakdown of the different aspects of sound in cinema and their sole importance. Because the cinematic experience is meant to be so immersive for the viewer, the work that goes into creating a realistic soundscape is often overlooked. Balazs points out that things as small as silence can play a key role in expression and realism in films. Silence gives birth to the importance of sound in the same way a fade from black or white gives images their vibrant qualities. The key difference between images and sounds come with the need for sound to be layered. An isolated sound will be alarming and unrealistic, so a soundscape must be created through precisely placing even the most minute detail.