1. Sound
Film sound will be mixed carefully to ensure that important sounds are
emphasized and that the correct atmosphere for a sequence is maintained.
Selective sound: used to emphasize key sound elements within sequence.
Ambient sound: (background noise) this is used to create a particular
atmosphere or sense of place.
Other elements of sound design to look out for;
Sound bridges: use of sound to help transitions between sequences.
Sound effects: they are used to create a sense of realization or to create
some physiological impact or effect.
Sound can be either;
Diegetic: this is sound that exists within the world of the film.
- sound of the source is visible on the screen.
- Voice of characters
- Sounds made by objects in the story
- Music represented as coming from instruments
“Diegetic Sound is everything you would expect to hear in the visible
surroundings.”
Non Diegetic: this means, it emerges from outside of the world of the film,
e.g. Film soundtracks.
- sound that the source is neither visible on the screen nor has been
implied to be present in the action on screen.
- Narrates or the commentary.
- Sound effects which are added for dramatic effect.
- Music/soundtrack
- Comes from a source outside of the story space.
Film sound can be either;
Synchronous – this is when a sound effect is matched with another
technical event or action.
Asynchronous – 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
used to create alternative meaning.