Repeated use of "the Wilhelm scream" over the years in movies

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:12 pm

This is funny. Basically sound editors have a standard library and (just like bad Photoshop users) they tend to re-use the same crap over and over again.

As a former sound engineer I notice this more than most people. For instance there's an explosion sound that must be a standard library sound effect that I've heard used in so many TV shows and movies in the past 30 years that I can't keep track of it.

A lot of people don't realize that modern movies are 99% artificial sound tracks. Other than the dialog, just about everything else is added in post production editing.

http://videosift.com/story.php?id=6907

TheSovereign · Post by **TheSovereign** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:49 pm

strange i have many of those movies and played the parts in the clip and i dont hear

it hear other screams maybe modified ones i dunno but it doesnt sound anything like that one

update: i can confirm its in aladdin and 2 or 3 others but definatly not all the clips shown
from my limited movie selection that is

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:22 am

Here's more info:

http://www.hollywoodlostandfound.net/wilhelm/

Badmojo · Post by **Badmojo** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:55 pm

theres also a yelp in asian films/cartoons with the bamboo clack that follows it

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:16 pm

yes... this annoys the hell out of me... whats more is that GAY AS HELL explosin **** with a puma or some large cat roar in it... STOP THAT THERE WAS NOT A large cat in the explosion.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:49 pm

I've also noticed this. There is also one other sound I hear in almost every movie during an explostion that I swear I've heard in DooM or DooM II (which then may have been taken from elsewhere).... ...anyone know what I'm talkin' about?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:29 am

The explosion I'm think of ends with an electronic ZAP sound that has a lot of reverb. It's usually used for big gasoline/car/refinery explosions to give the impression of a flash fire I guess, but it sounds electronic and artificial and is often used in the wrong situation.

I've heard it in everything from Miami Vice to Stargate.

tunis5000 · Post by **tunis5000** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:03 pm

yeah and what about the standard "transport truck" sound
Hoonk... HOOOoooooooonk'

I swear i've heard it 50 times... either it's another inside joke or they're just lazy

Jim Z · Post by **Jim Z** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:37 pm

heh. the foley arts must be a dying profession.

FanTum · Post by **FanTum** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:20 am

I've heard quite a few more since I first saw this.

Star Wars Episode 2 and 3
Once Upon a time in Mexico
Lord of the Rings 1,2,3 (2 and 3 for sure)

marscheese · Post by **marscheese** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:53 am

yeah Nate, I know exactly what you're talking about. Where it came from originally, I don't know, but the first time I heard it was in DooM.

Actually, there's a scream that I recognise, and another sound that I don't know how to describe...can't remember when in the game you heard it either....