Film sound is carefully designed and plays an important role in the film. There are different types of sound in films including diegetic sounds that come from within the scene and non-diegetic sounds from outside the scene like music. Sound is used selectively to emphasize certain elements and create atmosphere. It can be synchronous to match the visuals or asynchronous to add different meaning. Films also use techniques like sound bridges, effects, silence and more to further the narrative and elicit reactions from audiences.

1. Sound
What noises can you hear in the clip?
 Non-diegetic – sound track – dramatically music
 Diegetic – horses running on street – gunshots – gun clicking – glass
breaking – character voices (Sherlock) – pushes sound effect – groans –
gunshot – glass exploding – crow
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: Sound which is used to place emphasis on certain things in a
scene (such as in a fight scene a groan/punch sound effect)
Ambient sound is: Background sound which are present in the scene (typical
sounds that would typical be hard in a scene) e.g. weather
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Sound bridges – At the beginning of a new scene the sound is carried over
from the end of the old
 Sound effects – Sounds which are used to make a psychological impact or
place emphasis on certain things in a scene. Normally added in post-
production.
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 which the source is currently
coming from someone or something on
screen e.g. characters speaking
Sound which source does not come
from something that is happening on
screen e.g. soundtrack or narration.

2. Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – When a sound matches an action or event on screen and
can be used to emphasize it (the same as selective sound)
 Asynchronous – When a sound or music does not come from the diegetic
reality of the movie (Music which you add to a scene in post-production)
 Contrapuntal – Sound which does not match with what is happening on
screen and is used to create a different meaning
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – The voice of a character which is used to guide or inform the
audience but can also mislead them
 Theme music – Music which is played throughout the movie and is used to
develop the narrative and match the theme of the movie
 Musical Score – Music which is played during a scene which can create a
certain mood, link two scenes or help add to the plot
 Silence – Used to create suspense or get some sort of reaction from the
audience

3. Identifying sound in Sherlock Holmes
 Non-diegetic – sound track – dramatically music
 Theme music
 Non-diegetic musical score
 Diegetic – horses running on street – gunshots – gun clicking – glass
breaking – character voices (Sherlock) – pushes sound effect – groans –
gunshot – glass exploding – crow
 Brief moment of silence
 Non-diegetic voice over of Sherlock Holmes
 Sound effects fight scene
 Villains theme tune
 Moment of silence to hear the dialogue and the moment where Dr Watson
comes into scene
 Selective and synchronous sound
 Ears ringing
 Silence
 Sound bridge