Selective sound is used to emphasize key elements, while ambient sound creates atmosphere or sense of place. Sound design elements like sound bridges help transitions pass more smoothly. Sound effects are used to create realism or psychological impact. Diegetic sound originates from visible or implied sources within the story, like character voices, object sounds, or music from instruments. It can be on-screen or off-screen depending on its source. Diegetic sound creates different meanings for audiences. Synchronous sound matches visuals, asynchronous sound originates outside the story reality, and contrapuntal sound mismatches visuals. Other elements include voiceover, theme music, score, and silence.

1. Sound
Selectivesound isusedtoemphasisekeyelementswithasequence
Ambientsound isusedtocreate a particularatmosphere ora sense of place
Otherelementsof sounddesigntolookoutfor:
Soundbridges – the use of soundtohelptransitions betweensequencespassmore fluidly
Soundeffects –are these usedtocreate sense of realismorto create a psychological impact
or effect?
Diegetic Sound
Soundwhose source isvisible onthe screenorwhose source isimpliedtobe presentbythe
actionof the film
1. Voicesof characters
2. Soundsmade by objectsinthe story
3. Music representedascomingfrominstruments inthe storyspace
Diegeticsoundisanysoundpresentedasoriginatedfromsource withinthe filmsworld
Diegeticsoundcanbe eitheronscreenor off screendependingonwhateveritssource is
withinthe frame oroutside the frame.Thistype of soundcan be usedto create many
differentmeaningsforanaudience
Film and TV sound
Synchronoussound – thisiswhere a soundeffectismatched withanothertechnical eventor
action– thisreinforcesthe effect
Asynchronous –Thisis whena soundoriginatesfromoutsidethe diegeticrealityof the film
or musical soundtrack
Contrapuntal – noise orsoundeffectwhichdoesn’tmatchthe visuals
Other sound elements to look out for…
Voiceover
Theme music
Musical score
Silence