SOUND

FILM SOUND

In film, sound is comprised of three elements: Dialogue Music Noise/Sound Effects

DEFINITION OF DIALOGUE Film dialogue: Usually, dialogue is defined as a

conversation between two or more people. In films, however, dialogue is any spoken words.

This includes:conversations (discussion between two or more

people)inner thoughts (hearing what the character is

thinking out loud)voiceovers (when a character is unseen, but

talks over the action)addressing the audience (when a character

breaks fourth wall and directly talks to the viewer)

FUNCTIONS OF DIALOGUE

Functions of Dialogue: Develop character Move action forward

Components of Dialogue: Text (the actual words spoken in a film) Subtext (an unstated meaning that is implied by

spoken dialogue) Dialogue where the text and the subtext are

too similar is called “on the nose.”

CHARACTERISTICS OF VOICE

Since dialogue is spoken words, the qualities of the speaker’s voice play an important role Volume (how loud or soft something is) Pitch (how high or low something is) Vocal Characteristics (the way a character

speaks - includes accent and diction) Acoustic Qualities (how close or far the sound is,

or if the sound is distorted)

DEFINITION OF MUSIC

In films, music can be anything from a score composed purposely for the film, a musical number sung by the characters, or pre-existing songs picked to be in the movie.

Often, the sound designer and composer have to balance the tension between creating emotion through music and keeping the music realistic, so as not to distract the viewer.

FUNCTIONS OF MUSIC

Establishes historical context Shapes space Defines character Shapes emotions Distances the audience

CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSIC

Although much of the music in film relies on a subconscious message, learning the elements of film music can help a viewer better understand a film: Patterns of development (musical themes that

are repeated with variations to show change) Lyrics (the words of a song which may have a

thematic similarity to the scene) Tempo and volume (how fast or loud the music

is) Instrumentation (the instruments used in the

song) Cultural significance (using music specific to a

particular culture or region)

DEFINITION OF SOUND EFFECTS

Sound effects are any sounds that are not music or dialogue – although they are often made artificially in a studio, they can also be recorded on location.

Sound effects are sometimes referred to “film noise” because they can act as background noise that is common in everyday life.

FUNCTIONS OF SOUND EFFECTS

Define location Lend mood to an environment Portray the environment’s impact on

characters

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND EFFECTS

Acoustic qualities How close or far the sound is, or if the sound is

distorted Volume

How loud or soft the sound effects are Regularity

How repetitive or irregular the effects are Verisimilitude

Making the effects as true to life as possible

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