A COLLABORATIVE POST

  BOOM BOX POST

Many networks have a rule against using the sound of breaking glass in children’s animation. As a studio that works with a lot of kids’ content, we are always on the lookout for a good substitute. Recently, Boom Box Post supervising sound editor Tess Fournier took it upon herself to oversee the creation of our own library featuring the breaking of terracotta pots. After gathering different sizes of pots, Tess, our studio engineer Tim Vindigni and our apprentice Andrew Shirey set out to see how many sound effects they could create.

“I really enjoyed throwing the larger pots on the floor. Tess’s crunching footsteps were another highlight for me. I think those recordings will be an awesome texture to have in the library, providing sound effects that could be used for tire debris, rock slides, even bone cracking and twisting.”
— Tim Vindigni

why ARE terracotta pots PREFERRED TO BREAKING glass IN KIDS’ CONTENT?

In accordance with Broadcast Standards and Practices for many of our clients, we’re prohibited from including the sound of glass breaking in shows aimed for preschoolers or children aged 6-11. The concern is that depictions might promote unsafe behavior. However, we are permitted to use sound effects from more durable materials, such as clay pots or ceramic, which carry a similar impact without the associated safety risks.

IF YOU WERE TO UNDERTAKE RECORDING THESE SAME SOUND EFFECTS AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

One challenge we faced was finding the balance between the initial smash of the pot and the aftermath. The initial smash would peak, but the settling of the shattered debris pieces would be very low in the recording. Knowing how to handle that challenge going into it will save us a lot of trial and error next time.

WHERE THERE ANY OTHER UNFORESEEN CHALLENGES?

The most challenging part of this record was not getting hit with the shattered pieces. We had to be on guard for shrapnel.

What was your favorite recorded SOUND?

I really enjoyed walking over the fragments of a shattered pot. This was not only fun, but it also produced a variety of sounds distinct from those made by throwing the pots on the floor.

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