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Squawking in night scenes on TV

DarthGoreDarthGore Posts: 1,664
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in Broadcasting #1
I know it's not in TV programmes, but it's more of a generic query about all TV programmes, hence asking here...

Why do all TV night-time scenes on BBC & ITV seem to open with a squawking sound (kind of like a bird cry)?

Happens all the time in Eastenders, Jonathan Creek, many episodes of Corrie, and even programmes like Holby or period dramas like Endeavour etc

Is it a "requirement" to have this noise to signify whenever a scene is shot a night? Just trying to understand why it's so prevalent but in reality, you rarely here the same squawk when walking around at night

Comments

  • mossy2103mossy2103 Posts: 84,307
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    #2
    Never been aware of that, ever.
  • alternatealternate Posts: 8,110
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    #3
    Do you mean the "fox barking"?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVLvw-LhWyQ

    You do hear that sort of thing a lot outside of cities, the problem is that they all use the same stock sample so it has become recognisable like a Wilhelm Scream.
  • DarthGoreDarthGore Posts: 1,664
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    #4
    alternate wrote: »
    Do you mean the "fox barking"?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVLvw-LhWyQ

    You do hear that sort of thing a lot outside of cities, the problem is that they all use the same stock sample so it has become recognisable like a Wilhelm Scream.

    That's the sort of sound I mean.... why does it seem like it "has" to appear rather than an occasional sound effect?

    I can't understand why this seems to appear in virtually every Eastenders night scene, or other shows like Creek/Corrie etc when there is an outdoors nighttime scene, it's almost like someone is thinking "without that noise, no-one will know its at night...." even though the black skies may give the game away a little
  • ftvftv Posts: 31,668
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    #5
    Why is it in night scenes every character is very brightly lit instead of being virtually invisible in the darkness ?
  • degsyhufcdegsyhufc Posts: 59,251
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    #6
    On a similar theme - there is a reason why in many films you hear a "ribbit" noise.
    Only one frog in the world goes, "Ribbit", - the Southern Pacific Tree frog. This is the frog that lives in Hollywood. Recorded locally, it has been used in hundreds of movies, leading people to think that all frogs make the same sound.
  • DWA9ISDWA9IS Posts: 10,557
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    #7
    ftv wrote: »
    Why is it in night scenes every character is very brightly lit instead of being virtually invisible in the darkness ?

    If they didnt light the actors then the cameras wouldnt pick them up! they would have to use night vision cameras and they usually only use then for effect, or if needed for something, like a nature documentary when filming wildlife at night.
  • jenziejenzie Posts: 20,821
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    #8
    generic foley sound
  • DarthGoreDarthGore Posts: 1,664
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    #9
    jenzie wrote: »
    generic foley sound

    indeed.... but it sounds shit! it's A) too loud, and B) unnecessary to have one as soon as a night-time scene opens
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