This document defines and provides examples of different types of sounds used in films and other media. It discusses voiceovers, which are narrations not accompanied by an image of the speaker. Character themes are pieces of music associated with and played to signify a particular character. Diegetic sounds are those the characters can hear, while empathetic sounds match the mood and non-diegetic sounds contrast what is seen. Sound effects are recorded sounds used to further the narrative without dialogue or music.

1. Sound
BY JAS

2. Voiceover
 1. voice-over
 a piece of narration in a film or broadcast, not
accompanied by an image of the speaker.
 "the budget is summarized in a voice-over at the
end of the news"

 Voiceovers can be used in a range of things for
games, films, and many others. They help create
an atmosphere for the audience and also help
establish narrative.

3. Voiceover Example (THE
TALL MAN)
• A good example of where a voiceover comes into play is the trailer for the tall man, where
you can hear a girl explaining the narrative throughout.

4. Character Theme/Ambient
Sound
 Character Theme - the part of a soundtrack which is associated with a particular
character. The character theme is a piece of music which is repeatedly used in
connection with a particular character. Eg. music for Jaws has become the
character theme for the shark in the film. It is played to signify the presence of the
shark, even when this ‘character’ is not on the screen.

5. Diegetic Sound
 Diegetic sound - sound which the characters within a film can hear. Diegetic
sound can include everything from traffic noise, telephone rings, doors
slamming and animal sounds, to industrial machinery and dialogue. Tom
Cruise reacts in this clip of Top gun by walking to the Dukebox.

6. Empathetic Sound
 Empathetic Sound – sound effects or music that match the mood and rhythm of the actions. An example this is in
HER, when Samantha talks about her feelings, you can hear the low tone soundtrack in the background.

7. Contrapuntal Sound
 Contrapuntal sound is a term used to describe sounds and soundtracks that we
would not necessarily associate with the visual shots shown on the screen.

8. Sound effect
• Sound effect: In motion picture and television production, a sound effect is a sound recorded and
presented to make a specific storytelling or creative point without the use of dialogue or music.