Research: Sound

 

Sound

Intro

Sound is one of the most crucial elements in film production; this is because sound assists what can be seen to add an audial effect. Sound is used to create understanding for the audience and to help give an insight into what may be coming next. A Powerful soundtrack can create different responses from the viewers.

There are various different types of sound being used in films such as:

- Diegetic sound:

Diegetic sound is the sound which comes naturally in the film world e.g. Dialogue, music /Talking from a radio or television. The sound can either be on or off screen. For example in the clip of "The Dark Knight Rises" we see the two characters sat down talking.

 

 

- Non-diegetic sound:

Non-diegetic sound is sound that has been created to put into the film world for example a soundtrack, voice-over or even a sound effect. In the clip of "The Dark Knight Rises" straight into the scene we hear Non-Diegetic music being played as we are being showed the city buildings.

 

- On screen sound:

On screen sound is when the audience can see exactly where the sound is coming from for example a radio, television or a telephone ringing. The used of this type of sound is used to create naturalism, make sense and to make the scene more realistic. This helps to make the scene more believable and helps to keep the audience aware of the surrounding. an example of this is at 0:06 - 0:10 where we see a large crowd of people in the stock exchange, we are then aware that it is them making the noise.

 

- Off screen sound:

Off screen sound is sound that can be heard but you cannot see where it is coming from, but it makes sense to the film world for example a phone call, building site, traffic or people in the background. The use of this type of sound helps give the audience awareness of what’s happening around the character.

 

- Parallel sound:

Parallel sound is the sound when the sound(s) in the back ground make sense to what’s going on on-screen for example. This trailer down here of a mystery-horror film 'One Missed Call'' is an example, the used of parallel sound in this trailer helps to give the viewers an idea of what's the film is about by allowing them to hear what's in the phone and the mysterious story behind it. This helps to engage the audience attentions to watch the movie and find out for themselves.

 

- Contrapuntal sound:

Contrapuntal sound is when the sound does not match the image going on on-screen for example in the movie “Jaws” we see kids playing happily in the water to then hear a dramatic soundtrack come in at 1:32, at first the audience may not fully comprehend why that sort of soundtrack is being played; but then have an understanding that there is impending danger, this then makes the audience feel sympathetic knowing that one of them is about to be attacked.

 

Conclusion:

 

I have looked at all these types of sounds used in film, and it has given me a better understanding as to why they would be used and the emotions that they generate. This has also given me a better understanding as to what sort of soundtrack to create during my own film production.