Sound Tips

Breaking Bones sound clip

Kick at the rock, Sam Johnson, break your bones. --Richard Wilbur

Supplies: Very fresh carrots and celery (they have to be very firm for this to sound right).

Technique: Break the carrots and celery in half in front of the microphone. Usually, you have to break the carrots separate from the celery and then combine the sounds on tape later. The combo makes a nice snapping-crack sound (the carrots and initial celery snap) and then a slight peeling-breaking away sound (the strands of celery tearing away) that finishes it off and adds to the "realism."

Notes: This trick can be used for a variety of sound effects, from toes being run over by a car, bones being crunched or broken, or even knuckle cracking.

Kissing (the Deep Passionate Kind) sound clip

The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer. --Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Supplies: Glass of water, your lips, and your forearm.

Technique: Take a sip of water and wet your lips. Then, make out with the underside of your forearm, the part with very little hair--letting your mouth make sloppy kissing sounds.

Notes: And you thought movie stars actually kissed well. They just look good; it's up to us sound designers to really kiss well!

Slap or Punch sound clip

Getting hit motivates me. It makes me punish the guy more. A fighter takes a punch, hits back with three punches. --Roberto Duran

Supplies: Piece of raw steak.

Technique: To emulate a person getting slapped in the face, hold a somewhat thick (about 1") piece of raw steak with one hand and hit it with an open palm in the center of the meat. To simulate a person being punched (on a part of the body without clothing, such as a face, neck, naked arm, or naked chest) use the same basic method, but choose a thicker slice of steak depending on the part of body you are simulating being hit and punch the meat with a closed fist action.

Notes: This has always been one of my favorites, because it’s so simple!

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