This document defines and provides examples of different types of sound that can be used in films, including diegetic vs. non-diegetic sound, synchronous vs. asynchronous sound, parallel vs. contrapuntal sound, ambient sound, sound bridges, sound motifs, and verisimilitude. Diegetic sound would be heard by characters, while non-diegetic would not. Synchronous sound fits the on-screen action pace while asynchronous does not. Parallel sound fits the mood and contrapuntal does not. Ambient sound fills quiet parts. Sound bridges link shots. Sound motifs associate with characters or places. Verisimilitude is the appearance of realism or truth accepted by audiences based on genre conventions.

2. DIEGETIC AND NON-DIEGETIC SOUND
Diegetic sound is sound that would be heard by the characters in the
film.
e.g. a dog barking, a car beeping, people talking in the background, etc.
Non-diegetic is sound that would not be heard in that world.
e.g. soundtrack, voice over, etc.

3. SYNCHRONOUS AND ASYNCHRONOUS
Synchronous is sound that fits in with the pace or beat of the action taking place
on the screen.
E.g. Music that corresponds with the clashing of swords.
Asynchronous is sound that does not fit in with the pace or beat of the action
taking place on the screen.
E.g. Speech that is not in time with lip movement or dubbed.

4. PARALLEL AND CONTRAPUNTAL SOUND
Parallel is sound that fits in with the mood.
E.g. Romantic violin music while a couple move closer together.
Contrapuntal is sound that doesn’t fit in with the mood.
E.g. A nursery rhyme playing while someone is being stabbed.

5. AMBIENT SOUND
Ambient is simply background sound usually non-diegetic that
fills what otherwise would be unnaturally quiet patches in the
film.

6. SOUND BRIDGE
Sound bridge is sound or speech that is used that is used to link
shots together.
E.g. Speech that goes over two shots to show something is going
to happen at the same time.

7. SOUND MOTIF
Sound motif is a sound/ piece of music that we associate with a
character or place.
E.g. Usually a super hero.

8. VERISIMILITUDE
Verisimilitude is the appearance of being true or real, it is described in
storytelling , the audience contributes to their experience by their willing.
E.g. The audience accept that a superhero can fly and shoot lasers out of their
eyes, however it would be different if someone could do that in a soap opera.
In film and media verisimilitude is crucial. Todorov identified two types of
verisimilitude: generic verisimilitude and broader social or cultural
verisimilitude I.E. what is normal in genre of film and what is normal in
normal life.
Neale argues that generic verisimilitude allows filmmakers to ignore realist
aspects and still make it feel true to audiences.