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