The Power of Vocalizations: Bringing Film Characters to Life

10 types of vocalizations in film

Vocalizations are in a class of their own. They exist somewhere on the spectrum between sound effects and character dialogue. A cheering audience functions like an atmospheric sound effect while a grunt of approval during a conversation transforms the vocalization into dialogue.

Here’s a list of ten common character vocalizations heard in film. These are the same categories that we use at Audio Design Desk to categorize our collection of sounds.

1. Grunts and Groans: Expressing physical exertion or pain
2. Sighs: Conveying emotional states like frustration, relief, or contentment
3. Laughs: Ranging from genuine joy to nervous tension or malevolence
4. Screams: Communicating fear, anger, or surprise
5. Gasps: Indicating shock or sudden realization
6. Whimpers: Expressing vulnerability or distress
7. Hums: Suggesting contentment or contemplation
8. Growls: Conveying aggression or animalistic traits
9. Whispers: Creating intimacy or secrecy
10. Breathing: Indicating emotional or physical state

Five vocalizations from famous films

Let’s explore how these vocalizations have been used effectively in popular films:

Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy (2001-2003)

Andy Serkis’s performance as Gollum is a masterclass in vocalizations. His guttural “gollum” sound, along with hisses, growls, and whimpers, helps to convey the character’s dual nature and inner conflict. These sounds, combined with Serkis’s physical performance and the CGI, create a fully-realized character that’s both pitiful and menacing.

The Velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” (1993)

The vocalizations of the velociraptors in Jurassic Park, created by combining the sounds of various animals, including dolphins and geese, add a layer of intelligence and menace to these prehistoric predators. Their chirps, barks, and hisses make them feel like real, thinking creatures rather than mindless monsters.

Chewbacca in the “Star Wars” Franchise (1977-present)

Chewbacca’s distinctive vocalizations, created by sound designer Ben Burtt using a mix of animal sounds, convey a wide range of emotions despite the character never speaking a word of English. His growls, roars, and whimpers effectively communicate everything from frustration and anger to affection and humor.

The Xenomorph in “Alien” (1979)

The hisses, screeches, and growls of the Xenomorph in Alien, created using a combination of animal sounds and mechanical effects, add to the creature’s otherworldly and terrifying nature. These vocalizations, often used in conjunction with silence and subtle sound design, heighten the tension and horror of the film.

Wall-E in “WALL-E” (2008)

Despite having a limited vocabulary, WALL-E expresses a wide range of emotions through his vocalizations. His beeps, whirrs, and electronic chirps, combined with expressive “eye” movements, create a character that’s endearing and relatable. Sound designer Ben Burtt’s work on WALL-E demonstrates how vocalizations can be used to create personality in non-human characters.

Using vocalizations for character development

Vocalizations can play a big role in character development, by revealing personality traits that are not explicitly stated in dialogue. The way a character laughs, sighs, or grunts can tell us a lot about their personality.

Vocalizations can be more effective than dialogue for expressing a raw emotion. A big laugh might indicate an outgoing nature, while a restrained chuckle could suggest someone more reserved.

A sudden scream communicates fear in a way that’s faster and more primal than language. Characters who seem calm might betray their true feelings with nervous laughter or other vocal tics. Every sound people make with their voice can carry a meaning of some kind.

ADD Pro: Tips for processing and mixing vocalizations

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Rule number one: Always start with high-quality recordings. Use good microphones and preamps to capture clear, detailed vocalizations. The Neumann TLM 103 or Sennheiser MKH 416 are popular choices. Here are some specific recommendations that our team pooled together:

Use EQ to Shape the Sound

Plugin Recommendations: FabFilter Pro-Q 3, Waves H-EQ, or iZotope Neutron.

• Boost or cut specific frequencies to enhance the character of the vocalization.
• Use high-pass filters to remove unwanted low-frequency rumble.
• Apply gentle, wide Q settings for natural-sounding adjustments.

Apply Compression for Consistency

Plugin Recommendations: FabFilter Pro-C 2, Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor, or UAD 1176.

• Use gentle compression to even out the dynamics of vocalizations.
• Adjust attack and release times to shape the transients and sustain of the sound.

Add Reverb for Space and Depth

Plugin Recommendations: Valhalla Room, FabFilter Pro-R, or Waves H-Reverb.

• Use different reverb types to match the on-screen environment.
• Adjust pre-delay, decay time, and early reflections to fine-tune the sense of space.

Use Pitch-Shifting for Variety

Plugin Recommendations: Soundtoys Little AlterBoy, Waves SoundShifter, or MeldaProduction MAutoPitch.

• Slightly adjust the pitch of vocalizations to create variations from a single recording.
• Use formant shifting to maintain realism when pitch-shifting larger amounts.

Access 75,000+ royalty-free audio files

Ready to start experimenting with vocalizations in your own projects?

Download ADD for free to explore our collection of royalty-free vocalization sound effects. The intuitive interface and AI-powered sound placement make it easy to create emotionally resonant soundscapes for your characters. You can also visit our pricing page for details on the subscription tiers and terms of service.

For more sound design inspiration and resources, explore our sound effects learning hub.