Film sound is carefully designed in post-production to emphasize important sounds and create the right atmosphere for each scene. Sounds can be either diegetic (coming from visible or implied sources in the story) or non-diegetic (from sources outside the story, like narration or music). Selective sounds are used to highlight key audio elements, while ambient sounds help set the pace and atmosphere. Proper sound design also considers elements like synchronous or asynchronous sounds, voiceovers, theme music, musical scores, and strategic use of silence.

1. Sound
Film sound is an important and as carefully controlled as the visual elements of a
text. Although sound is often recorded on set, most film is added in post-production.
Film sound will be mixed very carefully to ensure that important sounds are
emphasised and that the correct atmosphere of a sequence.
Selective sound: used to emphasise key sound elements within a sequence.
Ambient sound: used to create a particular atmosphere or sense of pace.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Sound bridges:
 Sound effects:
Sound can be either:
 Diegetic
 Non-diegetic
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:
1. Voices of characters
2. Sounds made by objects in the
story
3. Music represented as coming
from instruments in the story
space.
Diegetic sound is any sound presented
as originated from source within the
films world.
D sound can be either on screen or off
screen depending on whatever its
source is within the frame or outside the
frame. This type of frame can be used
to create many different meanings.
Sound whose source is neither
visible on the screen nor has been
implied to be present in the action:
1. Narrators commentary
2. Sound effect which are added for
dramatic effect
3. Music score/soundtrack
Non-diegetic sound is represented as
coming from a source outside the story
space.
The distinction between depend on our
understanding of the conventions of film
viewing and listening.
We know that certain sounds are
represented as coming from the story
world, while others are represented as
coming outside the story of events.
Film sound can be either:
Synchronous: when sound effects is matched with another technical event/action –
this reinforces the effect.
Asynchronous: a sound originates from outside of the diegetic reality of the film;
musical soundtrack.

2. Contrapuntal: the noise or sound effect which doesn’t match the visuals, often
juxtaposed to create alternative meaning (opposite).
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
Voiceovers: voice of the character. This voice often guides or informs the external
audience but can be used to push them in wring narrative directions.
Theme music: 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 are rarely completely silent, but this effect is occasionally used to
provoke a reaction from the audience.