Sound Notes

1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
Piano –nd-Theme music Walking-d
Horse Carriage-d
Drums-nd
Ripping-d
Crows-d
Glass breaking-d
Man’s voice (dialog)-d
Falling-d
Narrative-nd
Selective sound-nd
Scream-d
Gunshot(slowed down)-d
Door opening -d
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 fluidity
 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, eg film
soundtracks
Diegetic Sound Non-Diegetic Sound
Voices of the character
Sounds made by objects
Music coming within the film
Narrators commentary
Sound effects
Music soundtrack

2. 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 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 external audience but
can be used to push them in wrong narrative directions
 Theme music – This music introduces the, develops throughout and ends the
film. Adds personality. Characters have their own theme music
 Musical Score – Used to create atmosphere to link shots or sequences to
help create a narrative or to offer information about charecters
 Silence –Is very effective can provoke a reaction from the audience used in
horror films to add tension