1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
Quite loud
Voice
Horse
Breaking glass
Western music
Gagging
Piano
Train
Birds
Conversation
Low key talking
Swords
Slicing
Talk between enemies
High pitched ringing
Smash of glass
Foot steps
Horse and carriage
Punches
Guns
Drums
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, eg film
soundtracks
2. Diegetic Sound Non-Diegetic Sound
Sound that comes from within the
scene, such as music from a radio or
something falling and hitting the ground.
Sound that the camera picks up.
Example:
Music from a radio, Something hitting
the ground, Walking.
Sound that is added into the scene
externally such as a voice over or
background music.
Example:
Voice over, Background music, Gun
shots (usually something unsafe would
be added in after as it shouldn’t be used
in the actual scene)
Film sound can be either:
Synchronous – This is when a sound effect is matches with another
technical event or action – this reinforces the effect.
Asynchronous – This is when a so9und 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 is the voice of a characters. This voice often guides or
informs the external audience but can be used the [push them in wrong
narrative directions.
Theme music – This is the music that introduces, develops throughout and
ends the film. it often indicates the personality and mode of address of the
movie , characters can have their own theme music - this is used to indicate
their presence or emotional journey.
Musical Score – Used to create atmosphere, to link shots or sequences, to
help create the narrative or to offer information about characters.
Silence – Film/ TV uses silence to show something is about to happen such
as a jump scare or an important part of the film.
3. Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes
Voice – D
Horse – D
Breaking glass – D
Western music – ND
Gagging – D
Piano – D
Train – D
Birds – D
Conversation – D
Low key talking – D
Swords – ND
Slicing – ND
Talk between enemies – D
High pitched ringing – ND
Footsteps – D
Horse and carriage – D
Punches – ND
Guns – ND
Drums – D
