1. Film Analysis Part Four
Sound in Film
Film Analysis Part Four

2. Origins No completely silent period
Organists, pianists or even full orchestras supplied live musicals accompaniment in theatres
Sound effects created on spot by specialists
October 1927: The Jazz Singer
Al Jolson says “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!”
Not first, but most remembered

3. Origins (cont.) Sound drew more ticket buyers
However, created new problems technically:
Cameras in sound proof boxes
Actors close to microphones
Emphasized speech more than movement
In theatres- can’t keep up reels with sound
Comical misalignments (male voice with female)
Movietone sound-on-film standard by 1931

4. Diegetic Sound
Sound in film divided into two major categories: diegetic and non- diegetic
Diegetic: sound that is within the world of the film
Dialogue
Sounds made by objects in the story
Example: Pulp Fiction
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5. Non-Diegetic Sound
Sound that is not present within the world of the film:
Score (aka background music)
Narrator’s commentary
Example: The Breakfast Club
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6. Diegetic or Non-Diegetic?
Which is which?
Scene Number One: 8xeUvS1g
Scene Number Two:

7. Categories
Three main kinds of sound:
Spoken Word
Sound Effects
Music

8. Dialogue
Intertitles: frames with written text, coming between image shots, used in silent films to transmit necessary verbal information, such as explanations or dialogue (Nosferatu)
Conversations between two or more people, includes voiceovers/narration
Not all dialogue recorded live: ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) to fix unstable live track or change actors’ lines
Narration/voiceovers/specific sound effects are recorded post-production
“Humans can focus on a maximum of two sounds at a time.” (tune out background noise)

9. Sound Effects All other sound (except most dialogue) is added later
Foley is performed while watching projected film and is sometimes called “walking Foley” b/c of footsteps required
The Foley techniques are named for Jack Foley, a sound editor at Universal Studios
Car engines, explosions, etc. are added by the sound effects editor(s)

10. Foley Artists
Foley artists at work
View film while creating sounds

11. Musical Score
Film score conveys mood, emotion and character in ways dialogue cannot
1908 first score tailored for film
Leitmotif: short musical phrase representing and recurring with a character, situation or emotion (examples: Jaws, Star Wars)
Hints at unspoken conflicts or feelings
Film scores are usually composed after the film has finished shooting.

12. Songs
Use of existing popular songs, composer takes advantage of the audience’s prior associations with music.
Well-known songs can establish historical periods/time
Original songs, written specifically for a film, may highlight a particular moment or entire film’s theme
In musicals, songs function as a type of dialogue—closely interwoven with script
Songs for musicals are written and recorded before production begins.

13. Guessing Game
Scene One: Wayne’s World d
A. Dialogue
B. Sound effect
C. Score
D. Use of Popular Song
Scene Two: Reservoir Dogs
D. Popular Song

14. Guessing Game (cont.)
Scene Three: Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace
A. Dialogue
B. Sound effect
C. Score
D. Use of Popular Song
Scene Two: The Last of the Mohicans (START AT 2:00!!!)
D. Popular Song