Film sound is carefully designed in post-production to emphasize important sounds and create the right atmosphere for scenes. There are two main types of sound: diegetic sounds that come from visible or implied sources within the story, and non-diegetic sounds from outside the story like music or narration. Sound can also be synchronous to match visuals, asynchronous to come from outside the story, or contrapuntal to create a different meaning by not matching visuals. Film sound is a crucial element used to guide audiences and develop themes, characters and atmosphere.

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 – something that is added afterwards to make it more realistic
or believable. Add a better effect for the audience.
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 that is visible on the screen or
whose source is implied to be present
by the action of the film.
 Voices of characters
 Sounds made by objects of the
story
 Music represented as coming
from instruments in the story
space.
Diegetic sound is any sound presented
as originated from source within its own
world.
Diegetic sound can be either on or off
screen depending on whatever its
source is within the frame or outside of
the frame. This type of sound can be
used to create many different meanings
for an audience.
Sound whose source is neither visible
on the screen nor has been implied to
be present in the action.
 Narrator’s commentary
 Sound effects which are added
for dramatic effect
 Musical score/Soundtrack
Non-Diegetic sound is represented as
coming from a source outside of the
story space.
The distinction between diegetic and
non-diegetic sound depends 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 other are represented as
coming from the outside of the space of
the story events.

2. Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – when a sound effect is matched with another technical effect
or action – it reinforces it.
 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 – 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
direction.
 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 often have their own theme music.
 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.