Meaning Of Sound In Film

Sound sets the tone, the mood, the mise-en-scene of the shot. Sound tells us much about the movie and also clarifies the situation. If we are to feel the suspense and fear of a scene, the background sounds get louder such as foot-steps and ticking clocks. A close-up of a sweating face in the dark tells us the person is scared of what might happen or that they just woke-up from a nightmare, depending on the sounds or lack thereof. Sound has great meaning in film when used creatively as a means of clarification and expression. If only we hear the sounds, then the message is one that is in regards to the past, present or future. When the characters and viewers hear the sound, it is part of the story world and tells the story in real-time. For the exception of when a sound has double meaning, in that it, is communicated in real-time but either reminds or hints at us of a sound that is part of a different event in the story world. …show more content…
A flashback scene of a loved one, ending with their funeral would likely be complemented by a song that starts out joyous and ends with a soft, sad and smooth tone. Spatial awareness through sound is done through sounds and dialogue that complements the scale of the shot. We hear a grand orchestra in the island arrival scene in Jurassic Park (1993) which helps signify the grand scale of the island and events to come. When our guests first arrive in the wild with a dinosaur off to their left, the low key but increasing tone of the music signifies the intimacy of the shot while hinting of something greater in Dr. Grants point of