Film sound is carefully designed and mixed in post-production to emphasize important sounds and set the atmosphere. There are different types of sounds that serve different purposes. Selective and ambient sounds are used to highlight key elements or create a sense of place, while sound bridges help transitions. Diegetic sounds come from within the film's world, while non-diegetic sounds like music or effects come from outside. Synchronous sounds match the visuals, while asynchronous or contrapuntal sounds are used to create alternative meanings. Elements like voiceovers, theme music, and silence are also employed to guide the narrative or provoke audience reactions.

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,
makes it more important.
Ambient sound is: Used to create a particular atmosphere or a sense of place.
Background noises etc.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Sound bridges – The used of sound to help transitions between sequences
pass more fluidly. A specific noise, e.g. the camera from Sherlock Holmes
transitions to another scene of the newspaper.
 Sound effects – Sound that’s added afterwards during editing; can be used
to create a sense of realism or create some psychological impact or effect.
E.g. Alien noises or a Lightsaber in a Sci-Fi film, e.g. Star Wars.
Sound can be either:
 Diegetic – that is, it exists within the world of the film or whose source is
implied to be present by the action of the film.
 Non-diegetic – that is, it emerges from outside the world of the film, eg film
soundtracks
Diegetic Sound Non-Diegetic Sound
- Voices of characters
- Sounds made my objects in the
background.
- Music represented as coming
from instruments in the story
space.
Diegetic sounds are sounds presented
as originated from source within the
film’s world.
Diegetic sounds can be either on or off
screen, depending on whatever its
source is within the frame or outside the
frame. This type of sound can be used
- 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 the story
space. It’s added in post-Production
(editing)
The distinction between diegetic and
non-diegetic sound depends on our
understanding of the conventions of film
viewing and listening. Certain sounds
can be diegetic and non-diegetic, for
example, punches etc. because you can

2. to create many different meanings for
an audience.
hear them, but they’re enhanced to
make them more realistic.
Film sound can be either:
 Synchronous – This is when a sound effect is matched with another
technical event or action, which reinforces the sound effect. (Same as
selective sound).
 Asynchronous – This is when a sound originates from outside the diegetic
reality of the film; musical soundtrack. (Music outside the film).
 Contrapuntal – Noise or sound effect which doesn’t match the visuals, often
juxtaposed to create alternative meaning. E.g. Happy music used in a darker
scene.
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Voiceovers – The ‘voice’ of the character, often guides or informs the
audience their thoughts or feelings etc. Can push them in the wrong narrative
direction, though.
 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 e.g. Superman have their own theme tune, used to indicate their
presence / emotional journey.

3.  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 very rarely completely silent, but this effect is
occasionally used to provoke a reaction from the audience. Usually used in
horror films, e.g. silence used before a scream.