By the end of this lesson you
should be able to…
• Identify how sound is used in films to convey meaning within the
Action Adventure genre.
Sound…
When we think of film we think of something that is mainly
visual, but we need to take into account that sound makes
up a big part of the process.
The easiest way to learn about sound is to break it up into
three sections…
• The human voice
• Sound effects
• Music
Sound
• Diegetic and non-diegetic – Diegetic sound is what can be heard by the
characters in the fictional world of the film (diegesis). Non-diegetic sound
is sound that does not exist in the fictional world of the film. How have
these been used within the genre?
• Parallel and contrapuntal – Parallel sound describes sounds that match
the images on screen. Contrapuntal sound describes sounds that do not
easily match the images they are accompanying, but may be used to
create further meaning for the audience. Why might these techniques be
used?
• Sound bridges – Sound that crosses from one scene to another
maintaining the continuity of the film. How have these been used to
create continuity within a specific genre?
• Ambient sound and sound effects – Ambient sound describes a kind of
background noise or music, and is often natural to the setting. Sound
effects are usually added to a film in post-production by a Foley artist.
How might they impact an audience watching a specific genre film?
Diegetic and non-diegetic sound
Diegetic sound is what can be heard by the
characters in the fictional world of the film
(diegesis). Non-diegetic sound is sound that
does not exist in the fictional world of the film.
How have these been used within the genre?
Diegetic and non-diegetic sound
Is the soundtrack in this opening
scene diegetic or non-diegetic?
Identify which sounds are diegetic and
non-diegetic in this clip.
Parallel sounds
• When the sound matches the action on
screen.
• Parallel sounds contribute to the realism of
film and also help to create a particular
atmosphere.
Contrapuntal sounds
• Contrapuntal sounds are not matched with a
visible source of the sound on screen.
• Contrapuntal sound effects are included so as
to provide an appropriate emotional nuance,
creating added meaning for the audience.
Ambient sound & sound effects
• Ambient sound describes a kind of background
noise or music, and is often natural to the
setting. Sound effects are usually added to a film
in post-production by a Foley artist. How might
they impact an audience watching a specific
genre film?
Sequence analysis
Watch the extract from ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’
and make notes on the following:
• How is diegetic and non-diegetic sound used?
• How has parallel sound been used?
• How have they made use of ambient sound and sound
effects?
How has sound been used to convey the Action Adventure
genre?
You may also make notes on the mise en scene and
cinematography to support your answers.