Sound notes sheet

1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
Piano Gunshot
Horses Fight
Crows
Dialogue
Choking
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 – Used to emphasise key sound elements within a sequence
Ambient sound – 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 fluently.
 Sound effects – These are 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
Sound can be either on screen or off
screen depending on whatever its
source is within the frame or outside the
frame. This type of sound can be used
to create many different meanings for
an audience.
Sound that is added after the scene that
has been shot (in post) like music and
narration, non-diegetic sounds give
effect.

2. Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – This is when a sound effect is matched with another
technical event or action – this re-enforces the effect.
 Asynchronous – This is when a sound originates from outside of the diegetic
reality of the film; musical soundtrack.
 Contrapuntal – This music in the film that juxtaposes the scene; eg in lock
stock and the Greek music
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – This is the ‘voice’ of a character. This voice often guides or
informs the external audience but can be used to 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 – This is used to create atmosphere, to link shots or
sequences, to help create the narrative or offer additional information about
characters.
 Silence – Used to create effect
Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes