Why do we need sound?

[Reckless Erik]

I do a lot of TV commercial work and I am always pushed by clients to squeeze budgets. The main gripe is usually prefaced with, "is that really necessary?"
I have decided to put together a short talk/demo for my client base to show a few whys and hows and underline that, "yes it is necessary".
I would like to ask my esteemed colleagues here in this forum if they can paraphrase an answer to the heading of this post that might help me in my preparation. Forearmed is......

Many thanks, Nick

[mr.armadillo]

I need to pay my bills.

[Reckless Erik]

Ha ha So do I but I still expect a constructive answer as well!

[georgia]

I'm sorry... what? I couldn't hear you... ( tap tap ) hmmm... no sound... HEY! IS THIS THING ON?!!





actually, the client doesn't.... really... they can just shoot with a built in mic and just cut the spot in iMovie and not bother with music, or sound effects, or cleaning up the noise behind the talking head, or adding voiceover... they can just cut the pice and deliver it. If...that's what they want. They may just want that. you can't win this battle, unless the client already understands the value.
If a client wants "sound" work done by the editor.... then that's that.
The only thing I can do is let the client hear the difference between a project with poorly editing and mixed sound, and a project done well... Its then up to them to decide of its financially worth it.


cheers
geo

[Henchman]

Simple.
Tell them to compare their avid mix to the final.

And then ask them, why pay for color correction.

[MIKEROPHONICS]

because as some wag said - sound without pictures is radio, but pictures without sound is surveillance!

Here is a quote I believe from the Discovery Channel which I saved as I thought on occasions like this it would come in handy:

"* Audio is the single most important technical factor governing viewer retention; bad video edits or color correction, etc. are not nearly as influential in keeping a viewer tuned to a program as are bad audio edits, compression or EQ.

* For every 1 viewer that takes the time to write and complain, nearly 1000 simply switch the channel.

It is a common belief among some Producers that a hotter mix creates a more positive viewer response. All research indicates that this is not true.

Mark Edmondson
Supervisor, Audio Post Production"


Quote this at your productions over a friendly beer...

cheers

[peter5992]

"Sound is 50% of the movie" (Steven Spielberg)

[Cheesehead]

Slightly off topic but...

'Interesting' that The Artist was nominated for Best Sound at The BAFTAS!!

Was that a joke?



I hope its not going to start a trend or I'll be out of a job.

[zoing123]

Tell them what Jim Henson told me in 1969. :"the better it sounds the better it sells!"

[Reckless Erik]

Thank you all for your replies. Nice stuff to mull over. If there are any more of you don't hesitate to add your thoughts.
Cheers, Nick