Sound | The Taku Newsletter Edition 17

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 Sound is one of the most underrated elements in filmmaking. We often praise beautiful cinematography, seamless editing, and strong performances, but rarely do we talk about the invisible layer that truly brings everything together, and that is sound.



The power of sound in film goes beyond what we hear. It is what makes us feel. A simple tone, the distant sound of rain, or the faint heartbeat beneath a tense scene can completely alter how we experience a story. In fact, without sound, even the most stunning visuals can feel empty or incomplete.

When I think about sound in film, I’m reminded of how music, sound effects, and silence all play unique roles. Music sets the emotional tone; it tells us how to feel before a word is even spoken. Sound effects, on the other hand, ground the story in reality. They make the world believable. And then there’s silence, often overlooked, yet it’s one of the most powerful tools a filmmaker has. Silence creates space. It gives the audience time to think, to breathe, and to connect with what’s happening on screen.

As filmmakers, we can learn a lot by paying attention to how sound is used in storytelling. For example, in A Quiet Place, sound is not just part of the film; it is the film. Every sound carries weight, and every moment of silence heightens the tension. Meanwhile, in films like Interstellar, Hans Zimmer’s score becomes the emotional heartbeat of the story, guiding us through time, space, and human connection.

I’ve always found it fascinating how sound design and sound mixing are often done after the visuals are complete, yet they have the power to redefine how we perceive the image. A single change in tone, tempo, or volume can transform a scene’s entire meaning.

As I continue to study filmmaking, I’m learning to view sound as a character of its own, one that doesn’t appear on screen but is always present, shaping the story in ways we sometimes don’t consciously realize.

That’s all for this week’s edition of The Taku Newsletter. Stay tuned for more as we continue exploring the unseen forces that shape the world of filmmaking.

It only gets better from here.

– Takudzwa Thulani



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