Intro to sound - technical code

1. CW MEDIA Language 22/09/2015
9/22/2015 Term 1, Lesson 2 1
Learning Objective:
To know what is meant by the terms
Media Language
Learning Outcome Level
All: Will understand the key term – Media Language 1
Most: Will be able to use the terms correctly to describe media texts 2
Some: Will be able to identify links between Denotation & Connotation 3

2. Key Concepts in Media
9/22/2015 Term 1, Lesson 2 2
M ediaLanguage
I nstitution
G enre
R epresentation
A udience
I deologies
N arrative
E conomical, social,politicscontext

3. • DIEGETIC refers to sound that BOTH the audience
and the characters can hear. This would be sound
effects or music played in the scene.
• NON-DIEGETIC refers to sound that ONLY the
audience can hear. Typically, this would be
Soundtrack music – played for effect, to build tension
in the audience but not part of the scene itself
Two Types of SOUND:

4. The Powers of Sound
• Sound is a powerful film technique for many
reasons.
• To begin, sound engages a distinct sense
which can lead to a “synchronization of
senses”-- making a single rhythm or expressive
quality unify both image and sound.

5. The Powers of Sound
• Secondly, film sound can direct our attention quite
specifically within the image
• For example, our attention on the foreground not the
background.
• The soundtrack can clarify image events, contradict
them, or render them ambiguous.
• Click HERE for an example of how sound can change
meaning.

6. The Powers of Sound
• Thirdly, sound cues us to form expectations.
• For example, a door creaking would make us
expect someone or something has entered the
room.
• The use of sound can creatively cheat or
redirect the viewer’s expectations.

7. Selection, Alteration
and Combination
• Sound in cinema is categorized into three
types:
• Dialogue
• Music
• Sound effects
• Sometimes, a sound may cross categories and
be ambiguous

8. Music and specific
sound
• Title Music: the theme tune; in Doctor Who it is an iconic
piece of music, having with it a well established association
with this particular drama; the distinctive electronic theme is
itself strongly evocative of the fantastic and the mysterious.
• The Score: the dramatic accompanying music; viewers will be
well aware that the drama within Doctor Who may be on an
epic scale, and the sheer numbers of the Doctor’s adversaries
reinforces the non-diegetic music’s powerful sound.
• Sound Motifs: short but distinct sound motifs to herald the
arrival of various characters, e.g. from the Doctor himself, his
various helpers, to the imminent arrival of his menacing foes.

9. • Sound Perspective: POV using sound.
• Incidental Music: barely noticeable background
music to reinforce characterisation or emotion.
• Ambient Sound: diegetic background sounds, all
help to lend an increasing sense of verisimilitude.
• Sound Bridge: connecting scenes through both
diegetic and non-diegetic sound
• Parallel/Conrapuntal music: the BGM matches the
mood of the visual/it contrasts with the visuals.
Music and specific
sound

10. Cinematography
Analysis
• Watch the following sequence and analyse the
cinematography of the scene.
• Pay close attention to the sounds used in the
scene and how they link to the visuals
• How has the sound been used in this
sequence to influence our feelings?