A-Level Media Studies

1. Sound
How...? What...? When...? Where...?
Which…? Who...? Why...?

2. Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of…
- Video-based sound elements.
Be able to apply knowledge to…
- Video-based texts (film / TV / music videos / video
games).

3. Sound
The use in TV Dramas
- The variety of sounds create a balance between
verisimilitude and drama.
Sound for verisimilitude = Sound that adds to the
believable logic of the text’s world, which appears
real.
Sound for drama = Sounds that tell the audience to
feel a certain way (scared, happy, tense, romantic,
amused, etc.).

4. Diegetic Sound
What is it…?
- Diegetic sound is sound that can be heard by the
characters within a media text.
- It is sound that emanates from a source within the
actual scene.
- Diegetic sound is created within the text’s own
world.
- For example: character voices, sound effects,
music originating from a source within the scene.

5. Non-Diegetic Sound
What is it…?
- Non-diegetic sound emanates or originates from a
source outside of the text’s own world.
- Non-diegetic sound is sound that [theoretically]
cannot be heard by the characters within a video.
- For example: commentary, music, narration,
sound effects.

6. The Killing: Season 1, Episode 1 (USA) clip

7. Synchronous Sound
What is it…?
- Synchronous sound is sound that matches an
action within the video.
- For example: Item dropping on the floor, a gun
being fired.

8. Asynchronous Sound
What is it…?
- Asynchronous sound is background noise that
adds to the atmosphere / setting / realism of the
text’s world.
- Used to add a feeling of reality to the production.
- For example: While a conversation between two
characters is occurring, there will be background
noises such as cars, sirens, birds, people, etc…

9. Incidental Music
What is it…?
- Incidental music is background music that is
usually played during dramatic programmes.
- This adds to the atmosphere and to the feelings
conveyed within a scene.
- For example: Tense music playing during an
interrogation scene.

10. Jurassic World (2015) clip

11. Mode of Address
What is it…?
- Mode of address is the way in which a media text
‘speaks’ to the audience.
- This can be through the characters’ dialogue and /
or body language, through the setting, or through
the representations presented.
- For example: A character turning to face the
camera and speaking directly to the audience
(called “breaking the fourth wall”).

12. Sound
Exercise
- You will be played an extract of a TV programme.
- The first screening will consist of only sound – no
image will be screened.
- Individually, note down what you think the
programme is about (genre, emotions, actions,
themes / storylines, types of sound, etc).
- You may want to explain the impacts or effects of
these sounds or the music.

13. Programme
Sounds

14. Dr Who

15. Dr Who

16. Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of…
- Video-based sound elements.
Be able to apply knowledge to…
- Video-based texts (film / TV / music videos / video
games).

17. Film Sound Theory
Sound Theory, Sound Practice
(Excerpt)
Tom & Jerry
Doctor Who – Series 2, Episode 2
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