Film Sound Design and Documentary Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts in sound design and documentary filmmaking to prepare for the exam.

What is the primary role of sound design in film?

To support the narrative and emotional impact of a film, enhancing the story and creating an immersive experience.

Name a type of vocal sound in film.

Dialogue, voiceover narration, and spoken words.

What are environment sounds?

Ambient noises from the surroundings, such as wind, rain, or traffic.

What does music contribute to a film?

It underscores the emotion or mood of a scene.

How is silence used in sound design?

It can be used for dramatic effect.

Who oversees the entire sound team in a film's production?

The supervising sound editor.

What is the job of sound editors?

To edit and manipulate sound effects, dialogue, and music to fit the film.

What do rerecording mixers do?

They adjust and mix the final sound elements in post-production for balance and quality.

Who are Foley artists?

They perform and record live sound effects, such as footsteps or rustling clothes, to match on-screen action.

Define diegetic sound.

Sound whose source is visible or implied within the film world.

What is non-diegetic sound?

Sound that comes from outside the film world, like a soundtrack or voiceover.

What is asynchronous sound?

Sound that does not match the timing or source of the image.

Define pitch in relation to sound.

The perceived frequency of a sound, determining whether it’s high or low.

Give an example of diegetic sound.

A doorbell ringing that the characters can hear.

How does music control the audience's response?

By influencing their emotional reaction or contrasting with the visuals.

What is simultaneous sound?

Sounds that align directly with the actions and visuals on screen.

What does nonsimultaneous sound refer to?

Sounds that don't directly align with the action on screen.

What is B-roll in film?

Supplementary footage used in documentaries to provide context or visual interest.

What are persuasive films designed to do?

Try to persuade the audience to adopt a specific viewpoint.

Define propaganda films.

They present biased information intended to influence public opinion.

What characterizes observational documentaries?

The filmmaker immerses the viewer in the environment without interference or narration.

Explain the significance of Nanook of the North.

It is one of the first feature-length documentaries, depicting Inuit life while blending documentary with staged elements.

What is the main focus of poetic documentaries?

They concentrate on mood and feeling rather than a linear narrative.

What distinguishes participatory documentaries?

The filmmaker actively engages with the subject or environment being filmed.

Define reflexive documentaries.

They critique the documentary process itself and the relationship between filmmaker and subject.

What role does the executive producer serve?

Oversees the financial and organizational aspects of a film.

What is the function of a line producer?

Manages day-to-day operations of a film's production, ensuring it stays on schedule and budget.

What are the current trends in film technology?

A shift from traditional film to digital technology due to accessibility and cost.

List one characteristic of instructional films.

They provide factual information without attempting to persuade viewers.

What is the purpose of training films?

To educate viewers while entertaining them.

What does color grading involve?

Adjusting the colors in film during post-production for visual consistency.

What is ADR in the context of film production?

Automated Dialogue Replacement, used for re-recording dialogue in post-production.

How do sound mixers contribute to sound design?

They adjust relative volumes and filter out unwanted sounds.

What does the term 'documentary' imply in filmmaking?

A non-fiction film intended to document reality for instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record.