Week 9 - Film Sound

WEEK 9: FILM SOUND I

Introduction

Sound plays a critical role in film, enhancing the narrative, building atmosphere, and contributing to character development. It encompasses various elements such as dialogue, sound effects, and music, each of which serves a unique purpose in storytelling. The manipulation of sound can evoke emotions, signal changes in mood, and create a sense of realism or tension.

Scene Analysis

Example Story: Rory the raccoon hunts frogs while pleasant background music subtly indicates Mr. Mountain Lion's absence. This choice of sound creates a contrast between the idyllic setting and the underlying tension. The absence of any threatening sounds reinforces the idea of safety, highlighting how sound can influence audience perception and enhance visual storytelling by aligning audio cues with visual elements.

Key Film Sound Terms

Basic Terminology

• Scene: A sequence of shots that take place in a single location and timeframe, traditionally used in theatre. It is the basic narrative unit of a film.

• Shot: A specific instance within a scene, defined by a continuous recording of a subject. It serves as the building block of film language.

• P.O.V. (Point of View): Refers to the perspective from which the shot is taken, allowing the audience to see events through the eyes of a character, thus enhancing emotional engagement.

Additional Terms

• M.O.S. (Mit Out Sound): Refers to footage filmed without sound; often used for sequences where sound is not needed or will be added in post-production.

• Cue: A music sequence aligned with a specific moment in film, used to signal an emotional or narrative shift, amplifying audience response.

• Montage: The process of editing together various shots to create a cohesive sequence that can express time passage, character development, or thematic transitions.

• Take: Refers to the multiple attempts made to shoot a particular scene. Filmmakers often review several versions to select the best performance for editing.

Production Elements

Important Aspects in Production

• Location: The physical space where the film is shot can significantly influence sound quality and the overall ambiance of the film.

• Recording: Capturing high-quality audio is essential; this often involves external microphones, boom operators, and attention to ambient noise levels.

• Director: The director's vision shapes the film's overall sound design, indicating how sound should interact with visuals.

• Camera Settings: Details such as Date, Scene, Take are meticulously logged to help synchronize sound and image during editing.

Sound Types

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound originates from within the film's narrative world. It includes sounds that characters can hear, such as dialogue, footsteps, or music played by instruments on screen. Often synonymous with source music, as described by film theorist Michel Chion, diegetic sound aids in establishing realism and can enhance the audience's immersion in the film's environment.

Non-Diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sound refers to music or audio that does not have a source visible on screen and is not heard by the characters. This includes the film's score or background music, which serves to enhance emotional response and mood. It is also referenced as pit music by Chion, and its use can guide audience reactions and interpretations of narrative moments.

Post-Production Sound

Overview of Post-Production Processes

Post-production sound involves multiple processes that enhance the film's audio landscape, including:

• ADR (Automated/Additional Dialog Replacement): A process in which actors re-record dialogue to better match the on-screen performance, typically used to correct poor sound quality or to enhance clarity.

• Foley: The creation of sound effects synchronized with the film’s visuals; foley artists use various props to reproduce everyday sounds like footsteps or rustling clothing, thus adding a rich layer of authenticity and enhancing the overall audio experience of the film.