This is the key areas of sound in film

1. Joey Pinder 27.09.2016
Sound
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: used to emphasise key sound elements within a sequence
Ambient sound is: used to create a particular atmosphere or a sense of place
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Sound bridges – the use of sound to help transitions between sequences pass
more fluidly
 Sound effects – are these used to create a sense of realism or to create some
psychological 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 whose source is visible on the
screen or whose source is implied to be
present by the action of the film:
- Voices of characters
- Sounds made by objects in the
story
- Music represented as coming from
instruments in the story space
- Diegetic sound is any sound
presented as originated from
source within the film’s world
Sound whose source is neither visible on
the screen nor has been implied to be
present in the action:
- Narrator’s commentary
- Sound effects which are added for
dramatic effect
- Musical score/sound track
- Non-diegetic sound is represented
as coming from a source outside
the story space

2. Joey Pinder 27.09.2016
The distinction between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds depends on our understanding
of the conventions of film viewing and listening.
Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – This is when a sound effect is matched with another technical event
or action – this reinforces the effect
 Asynchronous – This is 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 alternative meaning
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – This voice often guides or informs the audience but can also can be
used to push them in wrong narrative decisions
 Theme music – Music that can develop throughout the film and it can often show
the characters personality or presence
 Musical Score – Used to create atmosphere, to link shots or sequences, to help
create the narrative or to offer information about character
 Silence – Film/TV are very rarely completely silent, but this effect is occasionally
used to provoke a reaction from the audience