Notes on sound

1. Summer Roberts Nicholas Media October2017
Sound
Film/TV sound has to 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.
 Ambient Sound is used to create a particular atmosphere or a sense of place
Other elements of sound design to look out for:
 Sound Bridges – the sound to help transitions between sequences pass more fluidly
 Sound Effects – are these used to create a sense of realismor to create some
psychological impact or effect?
Diegetic sound
 Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be
present by the action of the film
1. Voice of characters
2. Sounds made by objects in the story
3. Music represented as coming from instruments in the story space
Non diegetic
1.
2. Narrator’s commentary
3. Sound effects which are added for dramatic effect
4. Musical score/soundtrack
The distinction between diegetic and non-diegeticsounds depends on our understanding
of the conventions of the film viewing
Film and TV sound can be…
Synchronous sound - is when a sound effect is matched with another technical event or
action- reinforces the effect
Asynchronous sound - is when a sound originates from outside of the diegetic reality of the
film, musical soundtrack
Contrapuntal noise - or sound effect which doesn’t match the visuals often juxtaposed to
create alternative meanings

2. Summer Roberts Nicholas Media October2017
Other sounds can be…
Voiceover- this is the voice of a character used to inform the external audience but can also
be used to push them in the wrong narrative direction
Theme music - is the music that introduces and develops throughout and ends the film. It
often indicates the personality and mode of address of the movie. Characters have their
own theme music.
Musical Score – used to create atmosphere, to links shots or sequences to help create
narrative.
Silence - film/TV are very rarely completely silent, but this effect is used to provoke an
action.