Low-budget filmmaking tip #183
When doing sound design, try to not use the same sound more than once — unless there’s a very specific reason to. Every monster roar is different — even if it’s the same monster. However, for an automatic weapon, it’s okay if every discharge sounds the same (for small bursts).
Low-budget filmmaking tip #179
For every sound you record for your sound design, keep in mind that you can pull three different sounds from that: the original recording, a speeded-up version, and a slowed-down version. An ordinary impact sound when speeded up becomes a sharp crack, and when slowed down becomes a deep whoomph.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #171
Here’s a nifty “Emergence” kind of sound: Reverse the first five seconds or so of your sound effect or music, add a little echo to it, then reverse it back. Mix that into the original beginning bit and voila! Now you know how to do that tricky sound thing they do a million times in “Torchwood.”
Low-budget filmmaking tip #170
For your sound design, do your main sound bed first. Don’t worry about gunshots, footsteps, and other incidentals yet — get that main sound bed in first. Spend a goodly amount of time getting that perfect, and the rest’ll be tons easier.