Film sound is carefully designed in post-production to emphasize important sounds and create the right atmosphere for scenes. Selective sound is used to highlight key audio elements, while ambient sound helps establish a sense of place. Sound can be diegetic, existing within the film's world, or non-diegetic, coming from outside it, such as music soundtracks. Proper use of synchronous, asynchronous, and contrapuntal sounds reinforces visuals and creates alternative meanings. Voiceovers, theme music, score, and strategic use of silence are also important elements of sound design.

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: is used to emphasise key sound elements within a sequence.
Ambient sound is: 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 used to create 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 that you expect to hear in the
situation or the scene you are filming in.
1. Voices of characters
2. Sounds made by objects in the story.
3. Music represented by what is there
for example instruments.
4. Diegetic sound is any sound
presented as originated from source
within the film world.
e.g. a forest,
wind
broken branches
birds
Swaying trees.
These sounds can be either on screen or off
screen depending on whatever is source is
within the frame or outside the frame. This
type of sound can be used to make many
different meanings.
Is everything the editor has put there
afterwards.
 Narrators monologue
 Sound effects
 Musical soundtrack
 Non diegetic sound is present as
coming

2. 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.
 Contrapuntal – noise or sound effect which doesn’t really match the visual.
Often juxtaposed to create alternative meaning.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – The ‘voice’ of a character. The voice often guides or informs
the external audience but can be used to push them in the wrong narrative
direction.
 Theme music – This is the music that introduces, develops throughout and
ends the film. It often indicates the ‘personality’ and mode of address od the
movie.
Characters can have their personal theme music- this is used to indicate the
presence or ‘emotional journey’.
 Musical Score – Used to create atmosphere, to link shots of sequence to
help create the narrative or to offer information about characters.
 Silence – Film/TV are rarely completely silent, but this effect is occasionally
used to provide a reaction from the audience.