1. Sound in film
Though we might think of film as an essentially visual
experience, we really cannot afford to underestimate
the importance of film sound. A meaningful sound
track is often as complicated as the image on the
screen. The entire sound track is comprised of three
essential ingredients:
1. the human voice
2. sound effects
3. music
These three tracks must be mixed and balanced so as to
produce the necessary emphases which in turn create
desired effects.

2. Sound
Research the following definitions
• Diegeticsound is what comes from the scene/action
e.g. A sneeze.
• Non Diegeticsound is added in post production e.g.
Sound effects.
• Task: List as many sounds in each
category as you can!

3. SOUND EFFECTS: Synchronous and
Asynchronous sounds
Synchronous sounds are those sounds which are synchronized or
matched with what is viewed. For example:
If the film portrays a character playing the piano, the sounds of
the piano are projected. Synchronous sounds contribute to
the realism of film and also help to create a particular
atmosphere.
Asynchronous sound effects are not matched with a visible
source of the sound on screen. Such sounds are included so as
to provide an appropriate emotional nuance, and they may
also add to the realism of the film. For example:
A film maker might opt to include the background sound of an
ambulance's siren while the foreground sound and image
portrays an arguing couple. The asynchronous ambulance siren
underscores the emotional injury incurred in the argument; at
the same time the noise of the siren adds to the realism of the
film by acknowledging the film's city setting.

4. What is a Foley Artist?
Foley is the reproduction of everyday sounds for use
in filmmaking. These reproduced sounds can be
anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps
to squeaky doors and breaking glass. The best Foley
art is so well integrated into a film that it goes
unnoticed by the audience.It helps to create a sense
of reality within a scene. Without these crucial
background noises, movies feel unnaturally quiet and
uncomfortable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNvKhe2npMM

5. Leitmotif
A recurring piece of music or sound associated
with a particular person, place, or idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvCI-gNK_y4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhHwnrlZRus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4W0t_fWJoE&feature=related
What would your leitmotif be? What does it say
about you and your character?

6. Sound Bridges
• Sound bridge. Adding to continuity through
sound, by running sound (narration, dialogue
or music) from one shot across a cut to
another shot to make the action seem
uninterrupted.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlI9YEdo
A3E

7. Think about the story behind the sound-does
it always match up/support the story?
Contrapuntal sound
• This is the opposite type of music to the type you
would expect to hear in the scene. It sounds like a
contradiction and can either have a highly
disturbing or comic effect!
• Task- can you think of any good examples of this?

8. Hyperbolic Sound
• Hyperbolic sound is when the music or sound effects
are exaggerated to try and make it sound more
dramatic and exciting. Note - Action scenes will often
use this, and if you mention it correctly, it can help
push you towards the A*! Watch an action adventure
film and note how with the tension of a scene
increasing often so does the sound.

9. Direct Address
• This is when a presenter or actor looks directly
into the camera as though addressing the
audience. This is to make the audience feel
included and engaged. This is often done by TV
presenters eg The One Show or in the recent
American version of The House of Cards.

10. Voice Over
• It is pre-recorded (non-diegetic) and placed over the
top of a film or video and commonly used in
documentaries or news reports to explain
information. Voice overs are also used to provide
narrative in films or to help create a back-story to
a character.

11. Sound Perspective
Creates an illusion of directionality and audible
perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or
more independent audio channels through a
configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo
headphones) in such a way as to create the
impression of sound heard from various directions, as
in natural hearing. The audio track can be mixed in a
variety of ways to create different effects of audience
placement and in response to events seen on screen.