This document discusses different elements of sound design in film. It identifies various types of sounds that can be used, including diegetic sounds that come from within the story world and non-diegetic sounds from outside the story world. Selective sounds are used to emphasize key elements, while ambient sounds create atmosphere. Sound bridges help transitions and sound effects add realism or psychological impact. The document also discusses voiceovers, theme music, musical scores, silence and how identifying these elements can enhance analysis of films like Sherlock Holmes.

1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
Piano, horses hooves, horse neigh, drums, gun, chains, bird, talking, crashing,
whip sound, glass, someone in pain, boat, feet walking, high pitched ringing,
breathing, glass smashing
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 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 the characters
Sounds made by objects in the story
Music represented as coming from
instruments in the space
Diegetic sound is represented as
coming from a source inside the story
space
Narrators commentary
Sound effects
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
element –this reinforces the effect (same as selective sound).
 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 visuals, 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. 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 is rarely completely silent, but this effect is occasionally used to
create tension or highlight emotion.
Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes
Non-diegetic theme music of Sherlock
Diegetic horse and carriage
Non-diegetic music score
Diegetic footsteps
Non-diegetic voiceover
Non-diegetic sounds sound effects synchronous
Shift in musical score-villain
Sound bridge