Entertainment · Film · 3 hrs ago
‘La Bola Negra’ Uses ASMR to Shape Its Sound
Sound designers Alejandro López and Anna Harrington built the soundscape for “La Bola Negra,” directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo.
The film moves between three timelines, each with its own sound: 1932, 1937 and 2017.
The 1932 story follows Carlos, a closeted young man accused of being homosexual as he tries to join his father’s private casino.
In the 1937 story, off-screen sounds create an oppressive atmosphere around Sebastian and Rafael during the Spanish Civil War.
The 2017 storyline follows Alberto, Sebastian’s grandson, and constant digital noise reflects his anxiety as he rediscovers a play his grandfather saved.
In a hospital scene, close breathing and other human sounds create an ASMR-like hush as Sebastian finds Rafael alive, offering relief from the film’s louder soundscapes.
Sound designers Alejandro López and Anna Harrington used distinct soundscapes for the three timelines in La Bola Negra.
The film’s 1932 story follows Carlos, a young man accused of being homosexual as he tries to join his father’s members-only casino in Granada.
In the 1937 storyline, off-screen sounds create an oppressive atmosphere around Sebastian and Rafael during the Spanish Civil War.
The 2017 storyline uses jittering digital noise to reflect Alberto’s anxiety.
A quiet hospital scene uses close human sounds, including breathing, in a sequence designed to feel like ASMR.
- Who
- Supervising sound designers Alejandro López and Anna Harrington shaped the film’s sound.
- What
- La Bola Negra uses different sound designs for its three storylines, including an ASMR-like hospital scene.
- When
- The storylines are set in 1932, 1937 and 2017. The sound team had a month from picture lock to the Cannes premiere.
- Where
- The 1932 storyline is set in Granada, Spain; the 1937 storyline takes place during the Spanish Civil War.
- Why
- The sound design gives each timeline a distinct sonic feeling and supports its characters and story.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Carlos storyline is set in Granada, where he tries to join his father’s members-only casino.
Sebastian’s storyline follows his connection with Rafael and the effort to rescue the lost play during the Spanish Civil War.
Alberto, Sebastian’s grandson, rediscovers the play his grandfather saved.
- Sound designers
- Alejandro López and Anna Harrington
- Production timeline
- One month from picture lock to the Cannes premiere
- 1932 setting
- Granada
- 2017 character
- Alberto, played by Carlos González
- Hospital scene
- Designed with close human sounds and no music
What people are saying
The importance there was on the off-screen sound to help tell the story.
Like, he cannot think straight because he’s surrounded by so much noise all of the time.
That moment has really close sound when Sebastian sort of traces [Rafael’s body] and almost touches him.
Alberto is always surrounded by noise.