Maybe a bit off topic, but I watched a really engrossing special on the art (and science) of sound used in movies. “Making Waves” (seen on AmazonPrime, my apologies if you don’t have access to it) covers the history and use of sound - as a narrative itself! - in movies to enhance the narrative and experience for the audience.
The program covers the development and advances of sounds used in cinema: sound effects, the musical score, ambient sounds, etc., going all the way back to the very first talking picture. There were dozens of my favorite movies featured in the program, and I could vividly recall the impact they had on my imagination (e.g., Star Wars, Apocalypse, Toy Story, A River Runs Through It, etc.,)
It was fascinating to see the time, talent and dedication these sound professionals put into their trade. I also found it interesting that “background” sound in movies is way more than just the music. It’s also the special effects, the dialogue added/enhanced after the movie has been shot, ambient sounds, sound mixing, and even the discovery of sound techniques.
I know that just having the dedicated “Music” program set up on my aids was transformative! I can now enjoy the dynamic range of music here at home. But it was also revealing how much SOUND means to people! I’d limped around probably not hearing half of what I could’ve till I got my first pair of aids. And then, the aids would flatten and distort most sound so much that it just had to be tolerated. But I can appreciate that with the advances in hearing aid performance, even I - with cinderblock ears - can appreciate how much of an impact sound has on a movie, as subtle or powerful as it can be.
I honestly wonder if I’ll watch a movie or TV show without paying attention to the sound that accompanies (or defines) the scenes.