Sound film

Sound has been an integral part of the film storytelling process since the studio era began. Since its inception, sound has proven to be an important technical and creative innovation used by film directors to gain the attention of its movie viewers. Present day films are unbalanced because they are visually two-dimensional but use 3-dimensional (3-D) sound. Sound plays a vital role in calling the viewer’s attention to the spatial and temporal dimensions within scenes. Directors, Editors and Cinematographers use sound to manipulate scenes and impact a films message. Here are some examples of how sound changed the American film experience. Diegetic sound is “any sound presented as originated from source within the film's world. Digetic sound…

The development of sound in the cinema happened around the time two major social commotions were going on: the Great Depression and World War II. Before sound came about, most silent films were accompanied ranging from a piano/organ to a full orchestra. Inventors tried joining images to reproduce sound through phonograph records, but it was too difficult to synchronize the sound due to the inadequacy of loudspeakers for theater auditoriums. Finally in 1927, the Warner Brothers released The Jazz…

The question of why synchronised sound developed can be approached in many different ways. From a teleological approach the argument would be that the development of synchronised sound seemed inevitable, arguably a logical improvement on Hollywood films. A teleological viewpoint would see the development of sound as inevitable because this makes the films more realistic. Steve Neale argues that the use of sound-in-film “reflects more of the world as experienced through our two basis senses”…

not have the sound synchronized with the following content. But that is not the complete story. Even before technology was advanced enough to play dialogue or music, silent films would normally be accompanied by a pianist or even a whole orchestra. Therefore, music and sound have always been a big part of film. Films all have the same goal, to capture and engage us within their world and to evoke feelings of excitement. Sound is the essential part of any film production that many people still…

Sound and image work coincidently to create a powerful experience for the audience. In film, everything relates back to the diegesis, particularly what filmmakers want to be recounted, and how it appears to viewers (Chion, 1994). After all, it is the narrative that catches any one person’s attention and pulls them into a world of their own interpretation. When looking at the relationship between sound and image, the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds are responsible for creating realistic…

Diegetic sounds are sounds that come from the movement or actions seen on screen or in the world of the movie. Diegetic sounds help draw the viewer into the film so that they think they are actually part of it. In films we hear familiar sounds that we hear every day and we can make a connection to them. The sounds that I will add will make the viewer feel suspense as well as a feeling as though they are actually in the film itself. The first sound I will add is known as an ambient sound. An…

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…

According to Stephen Spielberg, “ The eyes see better when the sound is great” (Barsam, Monahan 364). Sound enhances an audiences experience of a film. It explains the meaning depicted in each scene because the music chosen for a scene sets the tone. For example, if it’s a daring car chase the tempo would be fast paced to entice the viewer to not divert their attention for whats in store. A character who is losing someone very dear to them would have a very somber setting with slow and sad music…

The world of film is a place where two senses collide—hearing and sight. Being able to watch characters maneuver through life as the story unfolds is just part of the experience. When sound is added to the mix, an entirely different dimension to the adventure is created. This feature is capable of propelling the viewer even deeper within the plot; it can stop a person in their tracks, preparing them for what is to come. Sound guides the viewer from one scene to the next and creates anticipation.…

with the music, sound effects hold a great responsibility on how film may be perceived. The change of tempo, volume and pitch may in addition indicate that the filmmaker wants to respond to these particular sounds. Illustrating an example, low pitched sounds including creaky floorboards and squeaky doors can generate a sense of mystique and uncertainty. Whereas high pitched sounds, for instance the screeching of tires or loud screams, contribute to create a sense of concern and anxiety. Sound…