A 'Sound Design' event was organized within the scope of the Cinema and Television Shooting Scales course at the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, Radio, Television, and Cinema Department. TRT Sound Designer Erim Savaş was a guest at the event. Erim Savaş, who has been the sound designer for countless commercials, many TV series that topped rating charts such as Melekler Korusun, Muhteşem Yüzyıl, Sakarya Fırat, Fatih Harbiye, and numerous feature films for sixteen years, provided information about his profession. Erim Savaş emphasized the inadequacy of education in sound, also pointing out that sound is always the second partner of a project.
The event, held at the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication TV education studio, was moderated by Lect. Zafer Sevener from the Radio, Television, and Cinema Department. Head of the Radio, Television, and Cinema Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esennur Sirer, also attended the event.
“The most important element of sound is to record it on-site and naturally”
TRT Sound Designer Erim Savaş, emphasizing the importance of knowing what sound actually is, what it serves, and recording sound on-site, stated: “I don't think there is adequate education regarding sound. Sound always remains in the background, apart from visuals and direction. What's important is that we first learn why sound is recorded and why it is so crucial. Sound is the second partner of a project, alongside the visuals of a production. In every project you watch, beyond the visual spectacle, sound is the only element that continues to remain in your perception even if you briefly close your eyes. Globally, the on-site recording of sound, meaning ambient sounds and effects being captured on location, has made things more accurate, real, and authentic for people. It has become the most important element in today's festivals. The most important element of sound is to record it on-site and naturally. In our professional lives, we can never give the answer 'we will add the sounds we couldn't record later.' Sound is always the second partner of a project because we know that sound, apart from the visuals, is also very important.”
“What matters is your ability to test the sound”
Savaş, mentioning the importance of knowing and testing microphones, said: “In dynamic microphones, the popping of letters, or the distortion of sound, is not encountered very often because these types of dynamic microphones have their own internal insulation and foam. In conventional microphones, what matters is your ability to test the sound here. Before going into recording, you need to test your microphone at the level it will be positioned. Specifically, is wind entering, or is air from the mouth hitting the microphone? This is a very important situation.”
“My first mistake has always taught me enough”
Emphasizing that professionalism develops over time by continuously making mistakes, Savaş said: “Professionalism comes from continuously making mistakes. By making mistakes, you find out where not to make them. I am very happy to be here today because I made many mistakes while recording sound, but every time I made a mistake, I never made the same mistake a second time. My first mistake has always taught me enough. Because if you repeat the second mistake in the same way, it means there is a problem. That's why you need to gain as much experience as possible.”
The event concluded with a group photo session after the Q&A section.
Reporter: Zeynep Atasoy