Sound Perspective

The term sound perspective can be used to transform sound into either distant or close. Distant sound will perceive to the viewer as sound coming from a distance with the technique of reverberation. An example of this may be a tap dripping from a distance, which will have an echo effect, the microphone will be placed at a distance to record the sound at the viewer’s perspective.

Sound perspective can also transform sound to make it sound very close to the reader; this would mean that the microphone would have to be placed quite close to the object or person making the sound.

Sound perspective creates realism for the viewers from the effects, which makes them feel like they are actually there.

Sound Motif- Sound motif is the term used for the viewer to associate a piece of music or specific sound to a person, place or object. An example of this is the association of the Jaws theme with a big dangerous shark.

Digetic Sound- Digetic sound is the term used to describe sound emitted from a scene in which all the characters can hear such as dialogue or knocking on a door. The example of the EastEnders scene showing Max scuffing his shoes on the floor is Digetic sound as all the characters can hear it and there is no need for editing.

Non-Digetic Sound- Non-digetic sound is sound or music that has been edited in scenes in which the characters cannot hear such as music soundtracks. The example of the Doctor Who scene uses non-digetic sound such as the music being played or the explosive effects as they have been edited.

Synchronised Sound- Synchronised sound is the term to describe sound or a piece of music matching a characters or objects movements or gestures such as music videos as artists normally dance or move in sync with the music. The example of ‘500 days of summer’ uses synchronised sound as the when the brass instruments are introduced into the piece of music in sync with orchestral musicians enter the scene

Contrapuntal Sound- Contrapuntal sound is the term used to describe sounds or music that is inappropriate and odd to the actual scene it is edited with. This confuses the viewer and changes their mood, an example of this is ‘Dr Strangelove’s final scene in which multiple shots of explosions and mushroom clouds are being shown which represents sorrow and mass destruction. However, the music that is being played is retro, cheerful and can be perceived as victorious. This does not match the visual scenes and makes the viewer feel that the explosions are somewhat of a celebration or victory just because of the contrapuntal music.

Voice-Over- Voice-Over is the term used to describe narration that is heard over a scene that is being played. This can be the character’s thoughts or just a narrator explaining a situation or story to the viewer. Either way, it can be emotional or understanding to the viewers. An example of this is JD’s narration from Scrubs in which the viewer seems to be hearing his thoughts and to bring out this effect more prominent, reverberation is used.

An example of this is Chuck’s narration in Supernatural; he is speaking emotionally of the main characters to the viewers by typing his narration onto a computer even though he is not talking. It is perceived to be his thoughts.

Dialogue- Dialogue is the term used to simply describe conversation between two or more characters.

Soundtrack- Soundtracks are music that is being played over a scene such as a commercial song or even a theme. The main objective of a theme is to associate it with the film, which is known as sound motif.

Ambient Sound- Ambient sounds are sounds that are perceived in the background such as a dripping tap. This creates realism for the viewer and the effect of reverberation increases this. An example of this is background noise such as a ticking clock or drumming fingers on a table.