Sound track

Question 1

Voice over

Answer 1

Commentary/narration
Usually part of the establishing sequence (eg beginning of Tinkerbell)
Off-screen voice: tells story, explains the action or comments on it

Question 2

Synchronous sound (diegetic sound)

Answer 2

Clearly generated by what is being seen
Any sound that is part of the film world that is being watched (dialogue, sound effects, music that sources from the film images)

Question 3

Non-synchronous sound (non-diegetic sound) aka expressionist sound

Answer 3

Sound that cannot be generated from the film images
Refers to the sound which is not recognised as being part of the film being watched
Create atmosphere and mood
eg - when a soundtrack becomes ominous (Jaws)
Added in the editing process for realism; gun shots, police sirens, gulls at the beach, etc.

Question 4

Wildsound

Answer 4

Sounds used in the film but have no relation to what is on the screen

Question 5

WOS

Answer 5

Without sound: sometimes there is no sound at all - often gives a chilling effect.

Question 6

Leitmotif (lit. “leading motif”)

Answer 6

A certain musical cue is repeated often during the course of the film
Usually a few bars to a song or a snippet of a specific piece - repetition, gains symbolic significance

Question 7

Sound bridge

Answer 7

Uses sound to link two scenes by having the picture and diegetic sound (synchronous sound) change at difficulty points
Usually sound from the second scene is heard before we start to see the picture from that scene

Question 8

Sound effects

Answer 8

Not dialogue or music
Additional sounds that are included to create an effect - add atmosphere and realism (eg thunder)

Question 9

Non-verbal sound techniques

Answer 9

Elements that affect our perception of any scene

Pitch (key): high = tension/excitement ; low = depression, sincerity

Resonance: light (airy sound/reed instruments) = pure/pastoral ; heave (drumbeat) = dramatic/powerful

Volume: loud=emphasises strength , power threat, etc ; soft & tranquil = peaceful/subdued
a sudden increase in volume = impatience/suspense
a sudden decrease in volume = fear/sense of defeat
a gradual decrease in volume = sense of backing down
a gradual increase in volume = becoming stronger/getting closer to…

Swelling music = heightens emotionally intensity
Tonal music = feeling of stress and conflict

Rhythm (tempo): fast = excitement/tension ; slow = tranquility/sadness
*pace (speed)