Film sound is carefully designed and mixed in post-production to emphasize important sounds and set the atmosphere. There are two main types of sound: diegetic sounds that come from within the story world like characters' voices, and non-diegetic sounds from outside the world like music soundtracks. Sound can also be synchronous to match visuals, asynchronous to originate outside the story, or contrapuntal to create alternative meanings by clashing with visuals. Key elements of sound design include selective and ambient sounds, sound bridges, effects, voiceovers, theme music, and musical scores.

1. Sound
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
Diegetic Sound Non-Diegetic Sound
 Sound whose source is visible on
the screen or whose source is
implied to be present by the
action of the film:
1. Voice of character
2. Sounds made by objects
in the story
3. Music represented as
coming from instruments
in the story place.
 Diegetic sound is any sound
presented as originated from
source within the films world.
 Sound whose source is neither
visible on the screen nor has
been implied to be present in the
action:
1. Narrators commentary
2. Sound effects which are
added for dramatic effect
3. Musical score/soundtrack
 Non-diegetic sound is
represented as coming from a
source outside the story space.
 The distinction between diegetic
or non-diegetic sound depends
on our understanding of the
conversations of film viewing and
listening.
 We know that certain sounds are
represented as coming from the
story world, while others are
represented as coming from
outside the space of the story
events.

2. Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – This is when a sound is matched with another technical
event or action- this reinforces the effect.
 Asynchronous – This is when the 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
juxtaposed to create alternative meaning.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – This is the ‘voice’ of the 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 – Used to create atmosphere, to link shots or sequences, to
help create the narrative or to offer information about characters.
 Silence – film/TV are very rarely completely silent, but this effect is
occasionally used to provoke a reaction from the audience.