The Dissertation of a sound designer - Cloak short film

The moment I watched Cloak’s pitch, I was hooked. Live action colliding with shadow puppetry? Instantly, my mind exploded with possibilities. I said yes on the spot, eager to create a soundscape that would pull audiences into the story and make every moment unforgettable.

As this was my dissertation, there was a fair amount to do and multiple assignments set.

Weekly production logs

Literature review

Critical reflection

and the final film....

I uncovered my secret weapon early: starting my production logs from week one, even when everyone else waited. Mapping out weekly outlines kept me ahead of the curve and let me watch my skills as a sound designer grow in real time. Each week felt like a new level unlocked.

That head start helped me tackle my Everest: the literature review. With dyslexia, I knew the climb would be steeper for me, but I brainstormed, weighed my options, and chipped away at the mountain one idea at a time. Every step forward felt like a victory.

My literature review zoomed in on a single, fascinating question: What is Foley, and how does it breathe life into film? I even dressed up my assignment with a front page—details matter when you want to stand out from the crowd.

My review unfolded like chapters in an adventure: the mysterious origins of Foley, what makes it so unique, the behind-the-scenes magic of the workflow, and the creative legends who breathe life into sound. Each theme was a clue leading to a conclusion that felt like the grand finale of a symphony.

These themes became my compass, guiding me through a sea of books, journals, and documentaries about Foley. Without them, I might have sailed way off course.

Pre-production as a sound designer felt like prepping for a grand adventure. With my annotated script in hand, I mapped out every sound cue, broke down scenes, and booked the gear I needed to make sure nothing was left to chance. I wanted to prove I was ready for anything—leaving no stone unturned, no moment unplanned.

Curiosity pushed me further. I noticed that other courses valued research, so I dove in, eager to make my work stand out. These were split into two quests: first, clarifying the film’s objectives and my role; second, exploring every post-production trick and technique I could find.

To wrap it all up, I added my critical reflections, a thorough reference list, and a stacked appendix. Each piece was a token of the journey—a record of how much I’d grown.

Production days were a rush—everything clicked, the team was in sync, and the recordings? Magic.

Post-production was a whirlwind: countless hours sculpting every scream, creak, and gasp. When the premiere audience jumped in their seats and whispered, “That sounded so real,” I knew every sleepless night paid off.