Sound

Question 1

What are the 3 zones of sound?

Answer 1

• Visualized zone (on-screen) - Sound that’s heard and is directly coming from a source in frame (or on screen)
• Acousmatic zones (off-screen) - Sound that’s heard diagetically but is coming from a source not in frame (or off-screen)
  - Non-diagetic - sound that only the audience can hear and not the characters in the story

Question 2

What are the purposes of sound for classical narrative structure films?

Answer 2

-Sound accompanies the narrative to make it more understandable (ex/ musical accompaniments will align w/ narrative; for instance, a funeral playing sad music)
-The relationship between sound and image is motivated by dramatic action and info
-Except for non-diagetic music, sources of sound will be identifiable
-sound mix will emphasize what viewer should pay close attention to
-Sound mix will be smooth to emphasize clarity

Question 3

What is semi/trans diagetic sound?

Answer 3

Sound that crosses over between diagetic (in story realm) and non-diagetic (outside story realm; only audience can hear)
ex/ musicals, characters singing or playing along to a song/tune that was initially presented as only non-diagetic, self-narration

Question 4

What are the 3 main elements of film sound?

Answer 4

-Voice
-Music
-Sound effects

Question 5

What are the 4 dimensions of sound?

Answer 5

1. Rhythm - temporal organization of sound including pattern of beats, pulse, tempo; can help intensify a scene and make it more engaging
2. Fidelity - the accuracy and believability of a sound in relation to its perceived source on screen (whether sound matches visual image shown); if it does, it creates sense of realism, if not, it’s likely done for comedic or stylistic effect
3. Space - how sounds are positioned and moved within auditory field, creating sense of location and depth
4. Time - this covers synchronized(sound that’s in syncs (or in time) w/ image) & asynchronized sound (sound that’s not in sync w/ image)