Sound

Sound has a very significant role to play in films, TV shows and any type of video media we see. By the use of sound it is able to set a mood and create a specific atmospheric effect that adds to the composition or even emphasizes a specific aspect of the media. In our pair I have the role of sound therefore, this is something that i have to pay close attention to and will be researching  more about it in greater depth. 

Score 

A score to a film is a composition of music that was specifically made for the film. These are very effective to have alongside a film especially if the signer or band performing this is ver well-known. It raises awareness about the film and people tend to think of the film it was composed for when it is heard. 

Diegetic sound

Diegetic sound is when the characters in the video can hear the sound and the source of it through living characters or inanimate objects in the diegesis. 

For example in this torture scene in Reservoir Dogs we see the character at the beginning turning the radio on at the begging o the scene then the sound gets gradually louder as if it's not playing out of the radio anymore but has been edited in. However, we know that the characters on screen are aware of this music because it originally it started out just playing it through the radio before it was edited in. 

Non-Diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sounds is when sound is playing but only to the audience and the characters in the video are unaware that music is playing. Some of these non-diegetic sounds include: Third person narrator, score, transition sound effects. 

For example, in this scene the audience watching this can hear the music playing from the soundtrack but the characters on screen are not aware of this.  

Volume control

Volume control has a significant part to play in film and tv. It has a huge affect on the audience and it also helps to create a specific mood or atmospheric effect. Furthermore, it is also used to empahise some of the visual actions we see. In this fight scene in the Matrix, they have used a very high volume level, this could have been used to emphasise the fighting sound effects that are heard in this seen whilst making the audience more interested in the film because of the loudness of the volume it may make the audience feel more fixated on what's happening. 

In contrast, at the beginning of this scene there is softer non-diegetic sound playing in the background. The use of having a quieter composition playing in the background reinforces this atmospheric calmness that comes along with the character of the wizard and compliments the whistling sound he is making.  

Dialogue 

Dialogue is the speech and language the characters use when talking in a piece of media. This is a very important aspect because it can explore tone of voice which can be used in many ways to add different effects e.g a sarcastic tone of voice would portray the character's wit and sense of humour. Also the accent of the character is important because it is easy to establish their regional identity.

Direct Address  

Direct address is when the character on the screen or narrator looks directly to the audience. This creates the effect of bringing reality and the diegesis together. Furthermore, It also helps the audience to sympathise with the character because we see them as equal to us. 

An example of this technique is in a film called 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. This was used during the character's opening monologue and it was effective to use because the audience feels like they can have a better connection with him because we can see his view point and perspective very clearly.

Voiceovers 

A voicer is when there is a voice which is from outside the diegesis and it gives the audience information or just explains the narrative of what's going on. This is also used to communicate the character's thoughts or feelings which is effective because it helps the audience to emphasise with the character. 

Ambient sound

Ambients sounds are the sounds of what you are expected to hear in the surroundings. These sounds do not have to be in the field of vision for the audience. They can tell the audience a lot about the surroundings for example different sounds of cars could represent traffic and that they live in a city area. 

For example in this clip other than the sounds of the sirens that the police vehicles are making we are also able to detect sounds of other cars such as car horns and the loud noises of what cars make when they are travelling at a high speed. Therefore, this would suggest that this scene is set in a highly populated area.

Sound bridge 
A sound bridge is a segment of sound which carries on playing between two cuts/transitions. This is known as a part of continuity editing, it is also applicable in any shot reverse shot when a character is talking.  

In this scene in 'The Usual Suspects' a sound bridge was used when the man drinking was talking. We could still hear his dialogue even though the shot changed to a different man. This adds the aspect of continuity. 

Sound effects

Sound effects are used to accompany the action which the audience can visually see. These can be realistic sound effects or unrealistic ones.     

In this extract of 'Scream' it is clearly heard that they have added sound effects for every time the man stabs the other with the knife. This was used to emphasise the violence of each stabbing motion and makes it more dramatic. 

Synchronous Sound

This type of sound is sound that is synchronised with the object that is making the sound, and when the audio and visual was filmed at the same time. 

Asynchronous Sound

Asynchronous sound is when the sound that the audience hear matches the action that is being performed however, it is not precisely synchronised. This sound is normally used when the director wants to create tension because the audience can hear the sound but not hear the source that is creating this sound.