Sound

Sound

You can maximise an audience's sensory experience and emotional response through combining movement and sound. 

The sound can work with the visuals, such as sad music for a sad moment/scene, or can be opposite with each other, such as happy/calm music during a fight scene.

Diegetic sound is what the characters can hear within the film, such as:

- Character's voices
- Sounds of objects
- Music played within the film. 

If the character can hear the sounds then it is diegetic. Diegetic sound refers to any types of sound that is heard/made from within the film's world. 



This extract features diegetic sound as it is background music played in the bar. In addition to this, you hear voices and laughs of everyone else in the background as the character passes them. 


Non-diegetic sound is not heard in the actor's world on screen, such as: 
- A narrator's commentary
- Additional sound
- Music for dramatic effect

Non-diegetic sound is not part of the film's world, it is part of the narrative; it can be used to enhance the audience's emotions (especially from the use of music). 



Here is an example of a non-diegetic sound as the main character narrates throughout the whole film, which is entirely for the audience to hear. In this extract you can see that the main character tells his thoughts to the audience.

 The audience are capable of distinguishing between diegetic and non diegetic sounds as they can see the visuals right in front of them. 

 Parallel Music

 Parallel music often matches the style of visuals shown on screen. This is an effective way of portraying the mood of the scene. Parallel music can be used to:

 - convey the mood/emotions in a scene.
- indicate a sense of time and place (if the scene is set in the 1950s, then music from that particular decade will play)
- represent themes
- establish motifs. 

Here is an example of parallel music. The music matches the visuals due to the main characters being separated from each other, therefore the more sad music matches the visuals and the events shown on screen at that moment. In addition to this the lyrics also portray how they feel. 

Contrapuntal Music

Contrapuntal music contrasts the music and the visuals shown on screen. This can be used to:

- contradict the typical music that matches the action in the scene.
- upset the mood portrayed by the visuals.
- change the message of the scene. 



Here is an example of contrapuntal music as the music does not match the visuals. In this clip, the character is shown to be torturing someone and holding them hostage. Although the visuals are fairly violent, the music played is mellow and happy which goes against what is shown on screen. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Soap Dramas

Image
Soap Dramas Soap dramas are on-going fictional episodes that are broadcasted either daily or weekly on television. Soap operas focus on the general day-to-day activities of its characters, where dramatic situations and events often occur to keep viewers entertained and wanting to watch more.  Soap operas aim to portray the realistic events that people go through along with the typical lifestyles of the working class. Through presenting realistic social issues this will make the audience feel as if they can relate to the characters. The most popular soaps often include general day-to-day conversations of ordinary working people - who of which viewers feel they could relate to. Examples of soap ramas could be EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Each element, including the story line, costumes, props and script will contribute to the overall setting and theme. As a result of this the soap opera is set in a small residential area which foc
Read more

Comedy

Image
Comedy Comedy genres include content that is driven to make the audience laugh. Although there is serious content, the majority of comedy films have happy endings.  Comedies often emphasise the 'silly' personalities of its characters, revealing the inner childish mindset that most people experience yet have to be mature on a daily basis, especially at serious locations and events such as work, funerals and weddings.  There are different types of comedy that a film/TV show can have, including slapstick, which is where comedy is simulated through the use of physical movements and gestures. Films containing slapstick comedy can include films such as There's Something about Mary, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Ace Venture.  Another type of comedy can be dark humour, where serious matters are often mocked, such as rape, death, drugs, violence and terrorism. Films containing dark comedy can include American Psycho, Snatch, Pulp Fi
Read more

Period Drama

Image
Period Drama A costume/period drama is set in a particular era, involving a range of different costumes, sets and props which are required in order to accurately portray that particular time period.  The costumes can appeal to the audience as much as the content. Historical/periodic dramas can be base on historical events, such as Romeo and Juliet and Titanic. Other examples of periodic films can include Braveheart, Gangs of New York and A Knight's Tale.  It is essential that everything included on screen fits in with that particular era, including the set, props, costumes and location.  Therefore, the appropriate costumes, props and sets should effectively portray the events and that time period, the appropriate locations will be required such as buildings with Victorian architecture along with the norms of society during that time,  in order to both tell the audience an accurate story along with making it appear as realistic as it can b
Read more