Sound and meaning

Diegetic and non-diegetic

O Diegetic sound (also actual sound)
Sound that comes from something visible from the

screen or is implied to be present by the action of the film. This can be on or off screen depending on whether the source if inside or outside of the frame e.g. gun sounds may be heard from characters who are not near it. E.g. voice of characters, sounds made by objects etc.
O Non-diegetic sound (also commentary sound)
Sound which is not visible on screen or not implied to

be present in the action. E.g. narrators commentary, sound effects, mood music etc.

Diegetic and non-diegetic

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Synchronous this is where the sound is synchronised with the object e.g. when the character is talking their lips match with the words we hear. Asynchronous this is where the sound is purposely out of sync with what we see. Sound effects this is the sound which is added to the scenes when it is edited. This may be naturalistic (e.g. sound of traffic) or non-naturalistic (e.g. in comedies they may add punching sounds). Sound motif this is the sound which is associated with the character or place e.g. humming of machinery, buzzing of power station. Sound bridge this is where sound (diegetic or non-diegetic) continues across one or more cuts/transitions e.g. Dialogue the sound of the characters talking to each other in the scenes. Sometimes Foley recording may occur, when the dialogue is re-recorded in the studio where the actors lip-sync to the footage.

Diegetic and non-diegetic

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Voiceover this is where a voice from outside of the sound gives the audience information. This is usually a story a character may be telling ,for example a character may be talking about when they were young and so on screen it shows scenes of the character when they were and the voiceover is the character narrating what its happening. Mode of address this is how the narrative comes across to the audience which includes the style of language used. Direct addressing this is when the character speaks directly to the audience and not to the other characters e.g. a character may be asking a rhetorical question which is directed at the audience. Sound mixing this is mixes of sounds from various sources using a multi-track mixing desk. The dialogue can be remixed after it is recorded because they are recorded using one or more boom microphones and so they volume can be changed. Sound perspective this is sound recording which helps us place a sound as either near, distant or coming from a particular place.

Soundtrack
O Score this is music composed, arranged and played specifically for

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the production. This usually includes dialogue and sound effects. They are written by one or more composers under the guidance of the films director/producer. Incidental music - this is non-diegetic music which accompanies the events and changes of scenes and is often background music which adds atmosphere to the action taking place. Themes this is the music that always accompanies the particular programme or even character. Stings these are short bursts of music which were originally used in TV and radio to bump together different sections of a show. Ambient sound this is sound that can be recorded on location or can be added to the soundtrack.