Media sound notes

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 – 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
 Voices of characters
 Sounds made by objects in the
story
 Music represented as coming
from instruments in the story
space
 Narrator’s commentary
 Sound effects which are added
for dramatic effect
 Musical score/ Soundtrack
 Non-diegetic sound is
represented as coming from a
source outside the story space.
Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – this is when a sound effect is matched with another technical
event or action- this reinforces the effect.
 Asynchronous – this is when a sound originates from outside of the diegetic
reality of the film; musical soundtrack.

2.  Contrapuntal – noise or sound effect which doesn’t match the visual, often
juxtaposed to create alternative meaning.
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. If 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 narrative or to offer information about characters.
 Silence – Film/TV are rarely completely silent but this effect is occasionally
used to provoke a reaction from the audience.