Creating the sound design. In Alten, S. Audio in media, (p.266-286). Belmont: Wadsworth, 1994.

Not being an avid sound recordist/not having any real interest in sound, I thought that this reading was highly relevant and helpful to gain a better understanding of this surprisingly important role.
A few points I gained were:
The design and production of sound is just as important as the job of the director, producer, costume designer etc… It requires pre thought planning, time, and imagination to assist and allow a film’s success.
“Sound’s impact on communication in media, as in life, is vital, potent, and fundamental”. This really stood out for me, as after viewing a film, rarely do I ever think, “wow, those sound effects were incredible, I was barely paying attention to the story itself”- and now I think about it, perhaps this is a good thing as the sound designer has successfully fulfilled their role. Effective sounds in a film, I think, should assist the progression of a film’s narrative, it should help sway the audiences’ emotions and build tension and emotions. The viewer should not necessarily be consciously aware of the sounds.
People associate particular sounds with particular moments, feelings, therefore choosing the right sounds is incredibly important.

Another point I took away was the importance of using the appropriate type of microphone. It can literally make or break the effectiveness of your sounds. Therefore, the space in which you record sounds, the levels they are recorded at, room acoustics, the pitch, tempo are all vital elements, so it is important to consider and perfect where the microphone is situated and placed.