1. Sound in Cinema
An Overview
11/18/2018
Music in Film--Spring 2001

2. The Powers of Sound Sound engages a distinct sense mode
Sound can shape our perception and interpretation of images
Sound can direct our attention
Sound cues us to form expectations
Sound enhances the value of silence
11/18/2018
Music in Film--Spring 2001

3. The Fundamentals of Film Sound
Acoustic properties
Loudness
Pitch
Timbre
Types of sound in cinema
Speech
Music
Noise
Sound selection guides perception
Dialogue overlap
Sneaking in/out
Use of pre-existing material v. new material
Music and association
11/18/2018
Music in Film--Spring 2001

4. Dimensions of Film Sound
Rhythm
Musical
Speech
Sound effects
Fidelity
Space
Diegetic—sounds having a source w/in the story space
Internal
External
Non-diegetic—sounds represented as coming from outside the story world
Onscreen and offscreen sounds
Sound perspective
11/18/2018
Music in Film--Spring 2001

5. Dimensions of Film Sound
Time
Viewing time
Story time
Plot time
Synchronous
Asynchronous
Simultaneous
Nonsimultaneous
Most nondiegetic sounds have no relevant temporal relationship to the story
11/18/2018
Music in Film--Spring 2001

6. Questions to ask What sounds are present?
Music, speech, or noise?
How are volume, pitch, and timbre used?
Is the sound rhythmically related to the image?
Is the sound faithful or unfaithful to its perceived source?
From where is the sound coming?
Within the story’s space?
Onscreen or offscreen?
When is the sound occurring?
Simultaneously with the story action?
Before? After?
How are the various sounds organized across a sequence of the entire film? Are any patterns formed?
11/18/2018
Music in Film--Spring 2001