Sound Analysis


Sound Analysis


Diegetic sound

Diegetic sound is sound that comes from a source inside the film's world- for example, music coming from a record player in the film, or the voice of characters.

 Example:

The opening of Wayne's World.

Non diegetic sound

Non-diegetic sound is sound that does not exist within the film's world, but that plays in a film anyway, usually to enhance the scene. This can include a film's soundtrack/score being played over a scene.

 Example:

The narration in the beginning of Cinderalla.

Synchronous sound/parallel sound

Synchronous sound is sound that is synced to actions within a film; for example, footsteps while someone is walking, or even having the actions in a film synced with music.

 Example:

The opening scene of Baby Driver.

Asynchronous sound/contrapuntal sound

Asynchronous sound is sound that is not synced to actions inside a film, such as the film's soundtrack.

 Example:

The 39 Steps, Hitchcock.


Sound FX

A sound effect is a sound recorded and played to enhance the storytelling of a movie without using music or dialogue.

 Example:

 https://audioboom.com/boos/2975961-17-lord-of-the-rings-moria-orcs

 The sound effects for the orcs in the Lord of the Rings.

Foley

A foley is an everyday sound effect recreated specifically for a movie. This can be anything from shoes squeaking to glass breaking.

 Example:



Sound motif

A sound motif is a particular sound effect or music cue that is associated heavily with a character in a film.

 Example:

Atonement.

Sound bridge

A sound bridge is when the sound from one scene overlaps during a scene transition, making the transition seem more seamless.

 Example:

The Matrix.

Dialogue

Dialogue is any conversation between two or more characters.

 Example:

Casablanca- the "Here's looking at you, kid" scene.

 Voiceover

A voiceover is an example of non-diegetic sound that consists of a character narrating over a scene off-screen.

 Example:

The opening of A Clockwork Orange.
Mode of address/direct address

The mode of address is how the film talks to the audience- direct address is when the film addresses the audience personally, also known as "breaking the fourth wall".

Example:


Make Way for Tomorrow- used to create a feeling of intimacy.


Sound mixing

Sound mixing is the act of mixing several sounds onto one or more tracks, and adding effects when needed.

 Example:

Laurance from Arabia.

Sound perspective

Sound perspective is the act of using sound to create realism when it comes to the location of characters in a scene. For example, the sound of footsteps getting quieter and more distant as a character walks away from the camera.

 Example:

Soundtracks

A movie's soundtrack is the music it plays during its runtime. This music can simply be there for the audience to listen to rather than silence, but it can also be used to enhance the scene and even provide new context for it.

Example:


Baby Driver (which uses its soundtrack consistently both to determine the course of the action and to fully flesh out the main character.)

Score

A score is the music for a movie specifically written for that movie. It's essentially a fully original soundtrack for a film.

 Example:

The score for Star Wars.

Incidental music

Incidental music is the music used to enhance a scene when played in the background.

 Example:

The incidental music for Tom and Jerry.

Themes and stings

Themes and stings are certain musical motifs that accompany a program/film, or even a character. Stings are brief bursts of musical motifs.

Example:


The stings from the theme tunes of Doctor Who.

Ambient sound

Ambient sound is the background sounds present meant to provide more immersion and reality to a scene.

 Example:


The sound of the rain and the T-Rex footsteps in Jurassic Park.

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