Film sound is carefully designed and plays an important role in storytelling. Sound can be diegetic, originating from visible or implied sources within the film, or non-diegetic, added in post-production from outside the world of the film. Sound is used selectively to emphasize key elements or create atmosphere, and is mixed carefully to maintain the correct atmosphere for each sequence. Film sound can be synchronous to match actions, asynchronous to come from outside the diegetic world, or contrapuntal to create alternative meanings by juxtaposing noise with visuals.

1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
Piano , horses, carriage, orchestra, gun, instruments, bird, doors, person, gate,
fighting, car, glass.
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: 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.
Noise that should come from within the
scene that you are filming.
Examples:
 Voice of characters
 Sounds made by objects in the story
 Music coming from instruments in
the scene.
Sound which you cannot see and is
added afterwards.
Sound whose source is neither visible
on the screen nor has been implied to
be present in the action
Examples:
 Narrators Commentary
 Sound effects which are added for
dramatic for effect.
 Musical score/soundtrack

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 (selected sound)
 Asynchronous –
This is when a sound originates from outside of the diegetic reality of the film;
musical soundtrack. (Music that you add to a scene – non diegetic)
 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

3.  Silence – film/tv are very rarely completely silent but this effect occasionally
used to provoke a reaction from the audience.
Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes
Piano music – theme tune Sherlock.
Horse and carriage – diegetic
Underneath musical score- non diegetic
Guns – diegetic
Footsteps – diegetic
Bird – diegetic
Silence – main character
Voiceover – non diegetic
Sound effects – syncron..
Low dull music – bad guy theme tune
Silence
Dialogue
Gun
Ears ringing