FILM LANGUAGE: SOUND
• Diegetic /Non diegetic sound
• Synchronous / Asynchronous sound
• Parrelel sound /contropuntal sound
• Ambient sound
• Sount bridge/motif
DIEGETIC SOUND
Sound whose source is visible on the screen or
whose source is implied to be present by the
action of the film:
◦ voices of characters
◦ sounds made by objects in the story
◦ music represented as coming from instruments
in the story space ( = source music)
Diegetic sound is any sound presented as
originated from source within the film's world
Digetic sound can be either on screen or off
screen depending on whatever its source is
within the frame or outside the frame. Another
term for diegetic sound is actual sound .
Diegetic sound in The Book Theif is like the conversations between Leisel and Roody.
NON DIEGETIC SOUND
Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor
has been implied to be present in the action:
◦ narrator's commentary
◦ sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
◦ mood music
Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a
source outside story space.
The distinction between diegetic or non-diegetic sound
depends on our understanding of the conventions of film
viewing and listening. We know of that certain sounds are
represented as coming from the story world, while others
are represented as coming from outside the space of the
story events. A play with diegetic and non-diegetic
conventions can be used to create ambiguity (horror), or
to surprise the audience (comedy). Another term for non-
diegetic sound is commentary sound.
Roger Allam is a non diegetic Sound in ‘The Book Theif’ and Speaks over the characters as death.
SYNCHRONUS/ASYNCHRONUS
Sound that appears to be matched to certain movements occurring in the scene, as when
footsteps correspond to feet walking. Synchronous sounds contribute to the realism of film and
also help to create a particular atmosphere. For example:The “click” of a door being opened may
simply serve to convince the audience that the image portrayed is real, and the audience-may
only subconsciously note the expected sound. However, if the “click” of an opening door is part
of an ominous action such as a burglary, the sound mixer may call attention to the “click” with an
increase in volume; this helps to engage the audience in a moment of suspense. Whereas
asynchronous is sound which is indigenous to the action but not precisely synchronized with the
action. Asynchronous sound effects are not matched with a visible source of the sound on
screen. Such sounds are included so as to provide an appropriate emotional nuance, and they
may also add to the realism of the film. For example: A film maker might opt to include the
background sound of an ambulance's siren while the foreground sound and image portrays an
arguing couple. The asynchronous ambulance siren underscores the psychic injury incurred in
the argument; at the same time the noise of the siren adds to the realism of the film by
acknowledging the film's (avowed) city setting.
PARALLEL/CONTROPUNTALSOUND
Parallel sounds are sounds which we expect to hear with that genre/ image
Contrapuntal Sounds are sounds that don't seem to fit with the genre /image.
For example in a fight scene in a film you would not expect to hear classical
music -that would be Contrapuntal. However if a fast paced Rocky music it
would be Parallel.
These are some examples of parallel and contrapuntal sound:
Contrapuntal, Resovoir for dogs: this scene is obviously sad and quite violent,
however the music over the top is happy and fun, disagreeing with the mood.
Paralell: Doctor who: The opening theme of doctor who sounds futuristic and
high-tech fitting with the sci-fi genre
AMBIENT SOUNDAmbient sound means the background sounds which are present in a scene or location. Common
ambient sounds include wind, water, birds, crowds, office noises, traffic, etc.
Ambient sound is very important in video and film work. It performs a number of functions including:
•Providing audio continuity between shots.
•Preventing an unnatural silence when no other sound is present.
•Establishing or reinforcing the mood.
There are several types of ambient sound used in film production. Their exact names and meanings
may vary but these are some common definitions:
•Matching ambient sound: Any ambient sound recorded to match the ambient sound of a scene.
•Wild sound: Background noise with distinct sounds, i.e. more than ambient sound, which is not
synchronised with the main vision. Example: Children playing in a playground.
•Buzz track: A general term for ambient sound.
•Room tone: The sound of an empty room, or a room in which all the actors are standing silently
SOUND BRIDGE/MOTIF
A sound effect or combination of sound effects that are associated with a
particular character, setting, situation or idea through the film. The sound motifs
condition the audience emotionally for the intervention, arrival, or actions of a
particular character. The sound motifs can be very useful in the rough cut, where
they help clarify the narrative functions of the characters and provide a sound
association for those characters as we move through the story. The use of sound
motifs can help shape a story that requires many characters and many locations
and help unify the the film and sustain its narrative and thematic development.
A sound bridge is when the scene begins with the carry-over sound from the
previous scene before the new sound begin.s
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