Media Language - Lesson 3

1. Introduction to Media Language
Lesson 3: Sound

2. Listen to the following sound clips.
What do they make you think about? What
mood/feelings do you attach to them?
• Sound clip 1
• Sound clip 2
• Sound clip 3

3. Learning Questions
• What are the four elements of sound in
moving image?
• What is diegetic and non-diegetic sound?
• How can sound create meaning for an
audience?

4. Media
Language
(Moving
Image)
Mise en scene
Camera
Costume, Hair
and Make-Up
Props
Lighting and colourPerformance
(Facial expressions and body
language) Shot Type
Camera
Angle
Dialogue
Soundtrack (Diegetic)
Editing
Order of
Shots/Continuity
Pace and
Rhythm
Special
Effects
Space
(on screen and off
screen)
Sound effects
Transitions
Shot
Duration
(Non-Diegetic)
Sound
Camera
Movement
Silence
Setting

5. 4 Types of Sound
Dialogue
Soundtrack
(Diegetic)
Sound effects
(Non-Diegetic)
Sound
Silence

6. Categories of sound
There are many types of sound that can be used in film and moving image;
all of them fall into two main categories:
1. Diegetic sound: sounds that come from within the story (dialogue, traffic
noises, phones ringing, footsteps and so on) and can also be referred to as
ambient sound (the noises that suggest or create a specific environment)
These can take place on screen or off screen.
2. Non-diegetic sound: sounds that comes from outside
of the story (voice-overs, use of soundtrack, ambient
sound.)

7. Diegetic or Non Diegetic
Watch the following sequence and note down at least 3 diegetic sounds and at least 1 non
diegetic sound.
13 Reasons Why SE01 EP03
Netflix

8. Some diegetic
sounds are
enhanced by an
extra audio track
created by a Foley
Artist (person who
creates many of the
natural everyday
sounds), for
example, the thud
of O-Ren Ishi’s scalp
hitting the snow in
the sequence from
Kill Bill vol. 1.
Role of the Foley Artist

9. Role of the Foley Artist

10. Activity
• Watch the following sequence
from The 24 and take notes
under each type of sound.
• In pairs, compare the notes
you have made and consider
the meanings created by
them?
• Using your notes, write a
paragraph summarising how
sound helps to create meaning
in the clip? (8 mins)
• Stretch and Challenge:
Comment on how the use of
camera work also helps to
create meaning.
Soundtrack
Silence
Dialogue
Sound Effects
Diegetic
Non Diegetic
Watching an unseen text
1. View the clip without sound
2. Watch the clip with sound and take notes
3. Begin thinking about the meaning created by sound

11. 24 SE04 EP01
Fox

12. Activity
• Watch the following sequence
from The 24 and take notes
under each type of sound.
• In pairs, compare the notes
you have made and consider
the meanings created by
them?
• Using your notes, write a
paragraph summarising how
sound helps to create meaning
in the clip? (8 mins)
• Stretch and Challenge:
Comment on how the use of
camera work also helps to
create meaning.
Soundtrack
Silence
Dialogue
Sound Effects
Diegetic
Non Diegetic
Watching an unseen text
1. View the clip without sound
2. Watch the clip with sound and take notes
3. Begin thinking about the meaning created by sound

13. Plenary
Keywords to do with
media language?