1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
Piano, Orchestra, Carriage, gun cock, bird, gun shot, male voice, zoom sound, More
orchestra, Another male voice different language , whispering, slap hit of horse?, high
frequency, wood hitting something, more speaking, more high frequency sounds, glass
break, Voice over, punching sounds
Selective, synchronous sounds, sound bridge
DIEGETIC NON-DIEGETIC
Film sound is as important and as carefully controlled as the visual elements of a
text. Although sound is often recorded on set, most film sound is added in post-
production
Film sound will be mixed very carefully to ensure that important sounds are
emphasised and that the correct atmosphere for a sequence is maintained
Selective sound is: To emphasise key sound elements within a sequence
Ambient sound is: To create a particular atmosphere or sense of place
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
Sound bridges – The use of sound to help transitions between sequences to
pass ore fluidly
Sound effects – often added in post production to create a sense of realism
or physiological impact or effect.
Sound can be either:
Diegetic – that is, it exists within the world of the film or
Non-diegetic – that is, it emerges from outside the world of the film, e.g. film
soundtracks
Diegetic Sound Non-Diegetic Sound
Sound where the source of the sound can be
found within the scene.
e.g.
Voice of characters Sounds made by objects
within the scene, Music coming from
instruments within the scene.
Diegetic could be added post production but
this depends if the source of sound is not
made in the scene for example a gunshot as
the gun would not have really shot.
Sound when the source is not on and is
added post production or during editing. All
sounds added post production.
e.g.
Narrators commentary
Sound effects
Musical score/ soundtrack
2. Film sound can be either:
Synchronous – When a sound effect is matched with another technical event
or action – this reinforces the effected. ( Basically selective )
Asynchronous – When a sound originates from outside of the diegetic reality
of the film: Musical/ soundtrack.
Contrapuntal – Noise or sound effect which doesn’t match the visuals often
juxtaposed to create an alternative meaning.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
Voiceovers – This voice of a character thata is added post production. Often
goes along with the film shown.
Theme music – The theme and music that introduces the film and characters
may appear with characters or at the end or star of the film.
Musical Score – Used to create atmosphere using sounds and music in the
film. e.g. the inception *bammmahh
Silence – This is a rare occurrence but when used it can be used to inflict a
moment of emotion. Maybe fear or sadness or tension.
Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes
