Film Language- sound

Sound

Sound in films and TV

sound is mixed carefully in films, because the wrong sound in a film can ruin the atmosphere.

key terminology

1. Diegetic: Sounds that belong to the film. .i.e.  dialogue and sound effects. sound which is visible on the screen such as: voice of characters, sound made by objects in the story or music coming from the visual scene.  Diegetic sound is is any sound originated from the any object or sources in a film. Diegetic sound can be on screen or off depends on if the source in in the frame or outside the frame. this sound can create different meaning to the audience. 
2. Non diegetic: Sound that are not visible on the screen. sounds that is coming from source outside the story space. Such as narrators commentary, musical sore/soundtrack or sound effects which are added for dramatic effects. Non diegetic sound come from outside the source of the story. 
3. Ambient: Is sound used to create atmosphere or sense of the place. 
4. Sound effects: Sometimes used to make realistic sounds or to create a psychological impact or effect.
5. Mood: Sounds which are used to create an atmosphere.
6. Tone: Is sounds which are harsh or soft.
7. Genre: The music or sound effects which match the theme of the film or the types of music such as horror music or romantic music. 
8. Theme music: Music introduces the movie and develops throughout the movie and end the film. sometimes it tells you what the movie is going to be like. some characters can have their own theme music, this is used to show the emotions of the character.
9. Voiceover: This is the voice of the character, this voice guides the audience or gives extra advice but sometimes can be used to give wring narrative directions. 
10. Musical score: This is used to create the climate of the film to link the shots in the film. it help to create the narrative of the film or gives information about the characters.  
11. Synchronous sound: This is when the sound track is matched which the action which is taking place in a film. 
12. Asynchronous sound: This is when sound comes from outside the diegetics of a film meaning the musical soundtrack. 
13. Contrapuntal: This sound effects or noise which doesn't match the the visual screen. this is sometimes put together to create a different meaning.
14. Silence: Films or TV programmes very rarely have a silent scene. but silence can be very effective. sometimes its used to create a reaction from the audience. 
15. Selective Sound:  Is used to highlight key sounds with in a sequence. 
16. Sound bridges:  Helps the changeover between scenes more fluently.