Calls of the wild? 'Fake' sound effects and cinematic realism in BBC David Attenborough nature documentaries. Issue 1 (1st April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collins, Karen
• Is Part Of: Soundtrack. Volume 10:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2017-04-01
• Subjects: Motion picture soundtracks -- Periodicals; Motion picture music -- Periodicals; 781.542
• DOI: 10.1386/ts.10.1.59_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-4193

Abstract

The BBC's Planet Earth II represented a landmark in natural history documentary television, using the latest technologies to capture nature in ways never before seen or heard. But the series was mired in accusations of 'fakery' and 'trickery' when it came to the sound, due to its entirely post-production soundtrack. This article explores these accusations in the context of the history of Attenborough documentaries and contemporary practice.