Film sound is carefully designed and added in post-production to emphasize important sounds and create the right atmosphere for scenes. There are different types of sounds that can be either diegetic, existing in the world of the film, or non-diegetic, coming from outside the film. Sounds can also be synchronous to match the visuals, asynchronous from outside the film reality, or contrapuntal to create alternative meanings by not matching the visuals. Other elements of sound design include voiceovers, theme music, musical scores, and strategic use of silence.

1. Sound
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 – short sounds to help emphasise an action
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 implied to be present by what’s
happening in the film (e.g. voices,
sounds made by objects, music
represented as coming from instruments
in the film).
Sound whose source is not visible on the
screen or not been implied to be present
in the film (e.g. narrator’s commentary,
sound effects, musical
score/soundtrack).

2. Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – when a sound effect is matched with another technical
event/action to reinforce the effect
 Asynchronous – 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
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – the ‘voice’ of a character used to guide or informal the external
audience but can be used to push them in the wrong narrative direction.
 Theme music – 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 and this is used to indicate their
presence or emotions.
 Musical Score – used to create atmosphere, to link shots or sequences, to
help create the narrative or to offer info about characters
 Silence – occasionally used to show tension or suspense and to provoke a
reaction from the audience