AS Film Studies sound terminology and analysis

1. AS Film Studies
FM1 Exploring Film Form

2. Lesson Objectives
• All students to be able to explain diegetic and non-
diegetic sound with examples.
• All students to be able to analyse how elements of sound
create meaning for the audience in a short film clip.
• Many students will be able to use a wider range of sound
terminology to discuss how sound is used in combination
with other technical elements to create meaning for the
audience.
…and
some students will be able
to evaluate how the use of
sound helps construct
particular representations i
n a short film clip.

3. A soundtrack should really be regarded as being as of
equal importance as the visual elements.
Sound can be divided into two main categories:
Diegetic Sound
Sound that has an onscreen
source and belongs to the
world of the film
e.g.
Dialogue
Sound effects
Ambient sound
Non-diegetic Sound
Sound that does not have an
onscreen source & characters
onscreen do NOT hear it
e.g.
Added music
Contrapuntal sound
Voice over

4. KEY SOUND TERMINOLOGY
• Soundtrack - the recorded sound element of a film.
• Theme music/tune - a recurrent melody in the film.
• Sound effects - sounds other than dialogue or music
made artificially (Often referred to as Foley Sound)
• Ambient sound - buzz and/or surrounding sounds.
• Dialogue - speech.

5. KEY SOUND TERMINOLOGY
• Voiceover - narration in a film not accompanied by a
synchronised image of the speaker forming the words.
• Direct address - when characters speak directly to the
camera i.e. the audience.
• Diegetic sound – any sound that has an onscreen source
and belongs to the world of the film.
• Non-diegetic sound – any sound that does not have an
onscreen source & characters onscreen do NOT hear it
e.g. some voiceovers, music.

6. KEY SOUND TERMINOLOGY
• Sound bridges – any sound/s that continue from one
shot to another. They help create a smooth transition
from one shot to another. In this way the sound is
said to be enhancing the continuity of the film.
• Parallel sound – sound that complements the image
track. Sound & image seem to reflect each other.
• Contrapuntal sound – sound that does not
complement or fit with the image track.

7. Listen to the following sound clips.
What do they make you think about? What
mood/feelings do you attach to them?
• Sound clip 1
• Sound clip 2
• Sound clip 3
Does the meaning you attach to the first clips change now you have heard all 3?

8. Understanding how music can help
create “meaning”
• Enhance the audience's emotional experience /
providing emotional focus.
• Underlining psychological refinements - the unspoken
thoughts of a character, or the unseen implications of a
situation.
• Building a sense of continuity (moving in, out and
Bridging scenes).
• Underpinning the theatrical build-up of a scene and
rounding it off with a sense of finality.

9. Understanding how music can help
create “meaning”
• Character representation / identification (e.g. good Vs evil
in Star Wars, CSI Miami clip)
• Setting the location, e.g.
• Setting the period
• Paralleling the action
• Creating a more convincing atmosphere of space and time
• Serving as a kind of neutral background filler

10. Analyse the use of sound in Raiders of
the Lost Ark (Spielberg, 1981)
• Link to clip (watch first 3mins):
http://estream/View.aspx?ID=10875~5i~adregWkh8o
• Watch the Raiders clip and make notes on the different
elements of sound you can identify.
• In pairs, compare the notes you have made and consider
the meanings created by them.
• Using your notes, write a paragraph summarising how
sound helps create meaning in the clip. (8 mins)
• Stretch & Challenge: Consider how the use of sound helps
construct the representation of Indiana Jones in the clip.

11. Soundtrack Activity
Create a soundtrack for your new character.
Include:
• Both Diegetic and Non-diegetic sound
• Ambient sound
• Foley sound effects
• Theme music