Sound Introduction


 

Type	What is it?	What effect can it have?	Example
Diegetic Sound	Sound that is visible on screen and present in the action of the film	Creates a more normal and realistic effect where people can follow what’s going on easier.	Two people having a conversation facing each other in a 2 shot.
Non-Diegetic Sound	Sound which is not seen or visible in the action of the film but has been added in the editing process	Adds a more of a dramatic impact, such as eliciting a mysterious, tense atmosphere	Sound effects being added for impact, mood music, narrators commentary to inform others
On-screen Sound	The person speaking in the scene is seen talking	More realistic sense of feel and we feel more connected to them as we can see their facial expressions and body language, clearly showing how they feel	A conversation between two people on the phone and we see the person talking  and responding to them
Off screen Sound	We can hear the actor talk but we cannot see them	This creates some dramatic impact because we can hear them talk but can’t see their face adding a sense of curiosity.	The person is in the other room talking but we cannot see them
Sound Bridge	Sound from one scene will continue into or over the next scene.The actual scene may change but the sound may still be present from previous scene	This can introduce us to characters if we hear them talk at the beginning but cannot see them. It also makes scenes flow and make us follow along easily, otherwise sound would appear interrupted and appear unnatural	If two people are talking on the phone and we see on screen person 1 reacting while person 2 is still talking. Although we cant see them we can hear them
Foley track	This is added to the sound editing process. It is sound being related to peoples movements	This can make scenes more captivating and draws us even more. They can be effective to build tension or make scene more realistic	For example a banging sound after someone is knocking on the door or footsteps
Parallel Sound  (synchronous)	Sound we hear matches what we actually see, for example a happy scene and melodic, upbeat sound in background	This makes scene more realistic and makes audience experience a particular atmosphere such as sadness if music is on a low, depressing key	For example in a comedy where uprising and uplifting sound is used to make someone feel happier and convey the comedic atmosphere
Contrapuntal Sound (asynchronous)	Sound we hear does not match what we actually see on screen	Contrapuntal sound can create many effects such as humor, satire and even a sense of hope to the situation	For example we see a depressing scene but happy music is being played