Introductory Film Studies 05: Sound

Screen & Sound
26 Jun 201712:32
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe script discusses the importance of sound in filmmaking, equal to visuals. It covers key concepts like diegetic/non-diegetic sounds, sound effects that set atmosphere and tone, absence of sound for tension, nonsimultaneous sounds, and voiceover for context. Analyzing sound reveals insights on themes,transitions, character psychology and more. Consider shifts between diegetic types, juxtapositions with images, and manipulation of synchronicity. Sound complements visuals, so analyze both dimensions of film to fully understand impact.

Takeaways
  • 😊 Sound can be just as important as visuals in creating a film's effect. Films are a combination of visual and audio elements.
  • 😮 Whether a sound is diegetic or non-diegetic impacts how it sets the scene's atmosphere or mood.
  • 🎵 Shifts between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds can have thematic meaning.
  • 🔊 Sound effects alongside visuals build atmosphere and tension.
  • 😨 Juxtaposing sound effects with visuals creates powerful contrasts.
  • ❓ Silence or lack of expected sound can emphasize emotions and reactions.
  • 👂🏻 Simultaneous sound matches the visuals; non-simultaneous does not.
  • 🎙 Voiceover manipulates tone, feel and storytelling perspective.
  • 🔁 Sonic flashbacks reuse key sounds to tie scenes together.
  • 🎧 Considering all audio elements is essential to fully understand a film's impact.
Q & A

  • What are the two main categories of sound in film?

    -The two main categories of sound in film are diegetic sounds, which exist within the world of the film, and non-diegetic sounds, which exist outside the world of the film.

  • How can shifting between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds impact a scene?

    -Shifting between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds can significantly impact a scene by changing the tone, atmosphere, or thematic meaning. For example, moving from diegetic to non-diegetic music may signify a character's internal thoughts and feelings.

  • How are sound effects used to build atmosphere in film?

    -Sound effects like dripping water, ticking clocks, rustling leaves etc. are often combined with visuals to heighten the tone and atmosphere of a scene, such as using unsettling sounds to build tension.

  • What is the purpose of juxtaposing images with contrasting sounds?

    -Juxtaposing images with contrasting or shocking sounds is used to create thematic significance and communicate ideas about the unpredictable or uncontrollable nature of events on screen.

  • What aspects of the absence of sound are analyzed in film?

    -The deliberate absence of sound and use of silence is analyzed in terms of how it heightens tension, emphasizes feelings of emptiness or shock, and what it might communicate thematically.

  • How does simultaneity of sound differ from non-simultaneity?

    -Simultaneous sounds directly match the images on screen as they occur, while non-simultaneous sounds are asynchronous and originate from a different point in time than what is shown.

  • What techniques utilize sound to shape audience perception?

    -Voiceover and sonic flashbacks leverage sound to directly address the audience and tie scenes together in a way that profoundly shapes how events are perceived and internalized.

  • Why is sound as critical to analyze as visuals when studying film?

    -Sound often carries as much or more meaning and impact than purely visual techniques - up to 50% of a film's effect. Analyzing sound is key to fully understanding a film's messages.

  • How does the diagetic/non-diagetic divide affect comedic scenes?

    -Playing with the audience's assumptions about what sounds are diagetic or not can be used to generate comedic moments and laughs.

  • What are some characteristics of sound overlooked in analysis?

    -More subtle attributes of sound like simultaneity, transitions, isolated effects and absence also carry thematic meaning and require closer analysis.

Outlines
00:00
🎥 Visual and Audio Components of Film

The first paragraph introduces the visual aspects of filmmaking that have been covered so far in the series, such as shot composition, camera angles and cinematography. It then transitions to discussing the audio dimension of film, which is equally important in creating a movie's effect. The paragraph emphasizes that both visuals and sound need to be analyzed to fully understand a film's impact.

05:00
😊 Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sounds

The second paragraph explains the difference between diegetic sounds that exist within the film's world vs non-diegetic sounds that exist outside of it, like soundtrack music. It provides examples of how shifts between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds can impact a scene's tone and discusses the potential thematic significance.

10:00
🔊 Use of Sound Effects and Silence

The third paragraph examines how sound effects are used to build atmosphere, create transitions between scenes, and juxtapose with visuals to highlight themes. It also discusses the notable impact that an absence of sound or silence can have in climactic, shocking or lonely scenes.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Diegetic sound
Diegetic sounds are part of the film's world and would be audible to the characters, like dialogue, sound effects tied to actions on screen, or a radio playing music. The video explains how shifts between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds can influence the tone and meaning of a scene, like in the Drive clip where the music shifts in and out of diegetic sound.
💡Non-diegetic sound
Non-diegetic sounds exist outside the film's world and would not be audible to the characters, like an underscoring soundtrack or narration. The video discusses how non-diegetic sounds like background music can establish tone and emotion.
💡Sound effects
Sound effects refer to sounds like drips, ticks, rustling, etc tied directly to objects/actions on screen. The video explains how sound effects are used to build atmosphere and tension, heighten emotional impact through juxtaposition with images, and smooth transitions between shots.
💡Silence
Deliberate silence or quiet in a scene where sound would normally be expected. The video discusses using silence after tragic/shocking moments to emphasize feelings, in comedic awkward situations, or to heighten tension in action scenes.
💡Simultaneous sound
Simultaneous sound refers to audio matched temporally to the images on screen. This makes up most film sound. A contrast is nonsimultaneous sound like voiceover at odds with the images.
💡Nonsimultaneous sound
Nonsimultaneous sound does not match up temporally with accompanying images. An example from the video is replacing dialogue with phone calls. This can influence audience perspective.
💡Voiceover
Voiceover refers to narration laid over images, used to convey context, perspective, etc. The video explains how voiceover impacts tone and the audience's relationship to the story.
💡Sonic flashback
A sonic flashback reuses a sound clip from earlier in the film, often giving added meaning/importance to a line. The video uses a quote from Blade Runner to illustrate this.
💡Diagetic vs non-diagetic
A key contrast explored in the video - diegetic sound exists inside the film world, non-diegetic sound exists externally. Shifts between them influence tone and perspective.
💡Sound bridges
The video references sound being used to smooth transitions between scenes/shots, binding different elements into a unified flow. This technique is important to the effect of some films.
Highlights

Sound can often be just as critical as images in creating a movie's effect.

The classical music used in 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably just as recognizable as some of the film's most memorable shots.

Every component of a film, from the smallest detail to the most obvious visual technique, is an inalienable piece of the movie.

If a noise is diegetic then it's a part of the film's world. Non-diegetic noises exist outside of the film's world.

Whether a sound is diegetic or non-diegetic can have a significant effect on the impact of a scene.

Sound effects are often used alongside images to build towards a particular atmosphere.

Sound effects are also employed to aid in transitions between shots.

Often times an obvious lack of noise can be just as noticeable or more noticeable than its presence.

Films often employ silence in scenes of tragedy to emphasize the empty, shellshocked feelings characters are experiencing.

No Country for Old Men by the Coen Brothers has virtually no music during its 2 hour runtime to emphasize the loneliness of the setting and heighten tension.

Voiceover can be used to establish a film's context or create a rapport between the audience and a character.

A sonic flashback reuses a snippet of sound from earlier in the film to add significance to a moment.

Don't get tunnel vision when analyzing movies - there's more to a film than just visuals.

To get the full effect of a movie you need to consider all the information it's throwing at you.

Sound is a whole dimension to film that should not be ignored.

Transcripts

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