G322 Sound

1. Sound Techniques
Aim: To understand how individual and
combined sound techniques are often used
to employed to help create desired
impressions and representations

2. 1. Selective sound: The removal of some sounds and the retention of
others to make significant sounds more recognizable.
• Used for: help create a dramatic or/and atmosphere, meaning and
emotional nuance i.e. slight difference in feel/tone.
• TV drama example: Selective sound may make us aware of a
watch or a bomb ticking.
• Can sometimes be a subjective device, leading us to identify with a
character to hear what he or she hears.
2. Silence. The juxtaposition of an image and silence can frustrate
expectations, provoke odd, self-conscious responses, intensify our
attention, make audiences feel apprehensive, or make audiences
feel dissociated from reality.

3. Types of Language Used & Representing Social Groups
3. Elaborated code of language : Use of language which uses a longer,
more complicated sentence structure. In the elaborated code there
is little or no struggling for words, or use of slang / colloquial
terms.
The speaker is more likely to use expert/ specialize terms and
come across/ be represented as, very confident, educated to a
high standard, intellect and often rational and logical. On Screen
middle classes are typically represented as using Elaborated
language
4. Restricted code of language: uses a more basic/ loose sentence
structure. Use of slang, colloquial and swear words is
more likely. The speaker is more likely to be represented as struggling for
words, poorly educated, aggressive, On screen is it often the Working
classes that are typically represented as using restricted language.

4. 5. Diegetic Sound or Synchronised : Sound whose source is visible on
the
screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of
the Film - Another term for diegetic sound is actual sound
Examples of diegetic sounds:
• voices of characters i.e. - dialogue
• sounds made by objects in the story
• music represented as coming from instruments in the story space ( =
source music)
• 5a Dialogue: Pay close attention to the content of the dialogue of
the onscreen character. Much of the dialogue can be used to give
audiences an insight into the character’s (on-screen social groups)
values, attitude, outlook on life, status, beliefs and prejudices etc.
6. Sound bridge: Adding to continuity through sound, by running sound
(narration, dialogue or music) from one shot across a cut to another shot
• Used to: make the action seem uninterrupted.

5. 7. Non- diegetic or Asynchronous sound. Sound which was self-
evidently recorded separately from the visuals with which it is shown.
For example, a studio voice-over added to a visual sequence later.
Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been
implied to be present in the action
• Examples:
• narrator's commentary
• sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect ･
• mood music
• Pay attention to: how sound effects might be used to provide
audiences with an insight into the onscreen social group. Specific
sound effects, mood music and/or narrator’s commentary may be
used to help represent ideas, qualities and characteristics about the
on screen social group.
• Task 1: Which social group is often accompanied on screen by hip
hop/ grime music and what types of attitude, circumstances and
lifestyles are commonly associated with these genres of music.

6. 8. Sound effects (SFX). Any sound from any source other than
synchronised dialogue, narration or music. Dubbed-in sound
effects can add to the illusion of reality: a stage- set door may
gain from the addition of the sound of a heavy door slamming or
creaking.
9. Sonic exaggeration – sound exaggerated for dramatic
purposes- loud ticking bomb, gun being fired, crashing
of glass and a slap/ punch etc.
• Pay attention to: how sound effects are being used to
help represent the on screen social’s group values,
attitudes, actions

7. 10. Music is often used to: help create a:
• dramatic moment or/and atmosphere,
• Connate meaning, feel and tone
• Music helps to establish a sense of the pace of the accompanying
scene.
• Pay attention to: The rhythm of music usually dictates the
rhythm of the cuts. The quicker the rhythm of the music the
more charged the emotional state. Conventionally, background
music accelerates for a chase sequence, becomes louder to
underscore a dramatically important action.
• Use of Specific Genres of Music: Often specific genres of
music are employed to help convey specific ideas,
circumstances, mood, attitudes and/or values and even
level of status.