This document discusses different elements of sound design in film. It identifies different types of sounds that can be used, including diegetic sounds that exist within the world of the film and non-diegetic sounds from outside the film. Selective sounds are used to emphasize key elements, while ambient sounds create atmosphere. Sound can also be synchronous, asynchronous, or contrapuntal to image. Other elements discussed include voiceovers, theme music, musical scores, and silence. Careful use of these sound elements is important for atmosphere, narrative, and audience experience.

1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
 Piano, drums, low notes, slow music
 Horses galloping and neighing
 Drama genre, tense scene
 Speeding up, higher tone of notes
 Chains, birds sounds
 Deep emotionless voice
 Crashes, bangs, thuds, death sound
 Inaudible deep voices
 Whispers creates mysterious and tense atmosphere
 Under water sounds, bubbles, breathing sounds
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 – 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
 Dialogue
 Footsteps
 Weather e.g. wind
 If there is a radio on the table you
would expect to hear a sound
 Sound effects
 Music
 Voice overs


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 match the visuals, often
juxtaposed to create alternative meaning. E.g. if you see someone get
punched and you hear a chicken sound.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – this is the ‘voice’ of the character. This voice often guides or
informs the external audience but can be used to push them in the 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 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 are very rarely completely silent, but this effect is
occasionally used to provoke a reaction from the audience.
Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes
 Piano, drums, low notes, slow music ND
 Horses galloping and neighing D
 Speeding up, higher tone of notes ND
 Chains, birds sounds D
 Deep emotionless voice D
 Crashes, bangs, thuds, death sound D
 Inaudible deep voices D
 Under water sounds, bubbles, breathing sounds ND
 Whispers creates mysterious and tense atmosphere D