Story with SFX

[Zylos]

Okay, I need some help here. I've just been given four weeks for a project for one of my film classes. I am to make a recording with a 15 minute long story... using only sound effects. No music, no dialogue, no visuals. Just sounds. To make matters even more complicated, I can only use sound effects that I record or create myself, so that rules out a LOT of possibilities to work on.

Now then, I can get access to a Nagra and possibly a foley artist's workshop, but specific sounds are not as easy to make as you think. What I need is an idea for a type of story that I can build using only sounds. Any suggestions on something I can work with?

[Esmeralda]

anything involving traffic? it sounds like a hard task

[ezel]

Hmmm.. Let me try.

They say that nature takes its toll on humans.

The film starts with the sound of the ocean. Just try to get some calm sound of the wave hitting the islands shore.
And then get a sound of birds chirping. then sounds of wild animals and monkeys.

Basically, this setup will give the impression of a peaceful happy/virgin island.

Next try to make an impression of a voyage, coming to the island (lets say a sound of a ship or something).

Next, people trying to invade the island by hunting down and killing animals (get a sound of animals who are crying and screaming to death. like a boar being killed. Then sound of a flock of birds flying away.


Then a long pause.

And then a sound of the ocean again.

After the sound of the ocean, make a sound of a group of humans sawing down trees, CHOPPING WOODS and then hammering steel (make an impression of building a town or community).

And then city sounds like train sounds, honking of old car horns (make an impression of an old City). Fade.

Earth shakes, volcano is about to erupt. People panicking. Women, babies and children cry for fear. Total Chaos

in the city.

Then the volcano erupts.

And then moment of silence..

Then Sound of the ocean.

After 10 seconds, a tiny bird chirps..

the end 

[Zylos]

Um, I did mention that I have to record/make all of these sounds myself right? So pretty much none of those sounds would work for me.

[ezel]

hmmm.. i just thought that you can make those sounds. If you can make those sounds, it will be a good idea (of course lol). I think i can help you on how to get those resources on creating a sound.

You got some recorder application right?

Just like what rasse said its not a very easy project for you.

anyways, im going to think some more ideas which will be easier to you. 

[Holkeye]

First part - Morning outdoor sounds over top (Sprinkler/birds)
door opening
footsteps
keys
car door opening
car door closing

Second part - Inside car
keys going into ignition
car starting
radio scanning stations
car moving down street.
car driving
someone gasping/ brakes screeching

Third part - Outside car
smash something (sounding like a car crashing)
sirens approaching

the end.

[Leventhan]

Horror would be an easier theme for this, at least that's what I think since the sounds can be from all sorts of things.
Or you can try to do it like Edible Castle.

[Zylos]

Okay, I'm not able to get access to a foley artists room, so that cuts down my possibilities to props that I can get with my own money AND what I can go out and record in the world around me (which is somewhat limited in Chicago to either general city sounds or sounds from Lake Michigan). And yes, horror and traffic accidents are somewhat easy, but they also are a little cliche for this project because that is generally what everyone in the past has done. However, I think I have an idea now of something.

A prisoner is sitting in a cell writing something, presumably a journal or a letter (writing sound and ambience of a small room with an open entrance). A guard comes to his cell and opens the door (loop footsteps on cement with slight echo from distant to close proximity, jingling of some keys, and a gate-like grating of metal). The prisoner puts his pen down (simple pen on desk sound), and gets up from his chair (chair scraping on cement, some ruffling of light clothes). The guard walks over to him (light footsteps on cement) and puts handcuffs on the prisoner (metal clicking rapidly, something like my collar should do). The two of them then walk out (footsteps on cement again).

What happens from there depends on whether I can get my hands on something that sounds like a shotgun or a rifle. Worse comes to worse I can just try to find something that makes a big bang.

[Holkeye]

Okay, I'm not able to get access to a foley artists room, so that cuts down my possibilities to props that I can get with my own money AND what I can go out and record in the world around me (which is somewhat limited in Chicago to either general city sounds or sounds from Lake Michigan). And yes, horror and traffic accidents are somewhat easy, but they also are a little cliche for this project because that is generally what everyone in the past has done. However, I think I have an idea now of something.

A prisoner is sitting in a cell writing something, presumably a journal or a letter (writing sound and ambience of a small room with an open entrance). A guard comes to his cell and opens the door (loop footsteps on cement with slight echo from distant to close proximity, jingling of some keys, and a gate-like grating of metal). The prisoner puts his pen down (simple pen on desk sound), and gets up from his chair (chair scraping on cement, some ruffling of light clothes). The guard walks over to him (light footsteps on cement) and puts handcuffs on the prisoner (metal clicking rapidly, something like my collar should do). The two of them then walk out (footsteps on cement again).

What happens from there depends on whether I can get my hands on something that sounds like a shotgun or a rifle. Worse comes to worse I can just try to find something that makes a big bang.

Its a good idea, and with a bit of creative mixing, you could make a lot of things sound like a gunshot.

[ezel]

I am just curious.. Are you going to explain to the class the whole story first or after the presentation?
Because how will you put these scenes on their mind in the first place?
Like how will they know that the guy is in the prison and that is the guard..
I am just curious on your work. and GOODLUCK BRO!