Learning to Listen
a film about sound
A Film by Dan Linn-Pearl, Marianna Roe & Andi Spowart
The film was shot over a period of three years, and travelling became a big part of the structure of the film. The essence of a road movie was intended to be delivered. The project took on the ethics of guerilla film making, with minimal equipment at our disposal. This ultimately made the process simpler and more refined.
All the individuals featured in the film are professionals in their fields, and the work on display is both current and in retrospect. Historical narratives are explored, as well as demonstrations of new work, and views on the understanding of sound-making tools and concepts. Learning to Listen hopes to reward a new audience with regards to experimental, and non-commercial sound-making techniques, and likewise, also be able to appeal to informed practitioners and professionals.
The geographical and architectural cinematography serves to highlight the transient narrative of the film. Location shots of buildings, spaces and urban landscapes, within the three cities, intermingle with interviews of professionals. This highlights the attempt to combine the audio and visual worlds through a sense of space. The editing is abstractly drawn together to illuminate the juxtaposing and enigmatic nature of experimental sound-making.