Sound in Film - Report Example

Contents Contents 1 Introduction 2 Dimensions of sound in film 2 The role of sound effects in a film 2 The role of music in a film 3 The role of spoken word in shaping a film 4 Conclusion 5 References 7 Sound in Film Introduction In the art of film, making sound refers to all the sound effects, words and music that an individual is able to hear in a movie. One of the major roles of sound in the art of film is to heighten the mood while providing information about elements related to the location of the scene, advancement in the plot of the film and provides information related to the attributes of the characters in the context (Sisto, 2014). The main objective of this report is to provide an in-depth analysis of the role of different element of sound in film. Dimensions of sound in film On an overall perspective, there are two dimensions of sound in film. These are the diegetic and the non-diegetic categories. Diegetic sound in the context of a film refers to all the elements of audio emanating from sources in the world as depicted in the films. These include footsteps, dialogue between characters and door slamming (Sisto, 2014). Non-diegetic sounds are inclusive of all the elements of audio arising from outside the fictional world as depicted in a specific film. These include musical score and other elements of sound such as screeches in a shower scene (Sergi, 2004). The role of sound effects in a film Sound effects plays and important role in shaping a film. It is through sound effects that the directors in a film can add a mood or atmosphere through the creation of a soundscape. This generates another layer of meaning to the mages that appear on the screen (Sisto, 2014). It is possible for a director in a film to incorporate elements such as pitch, tempo and volume in an altered manner as a way of indicating how the film directors expect the audience to react to a given noise within a specific scene (Sergi, 2004). High-pitched sound such as screams, screeching tires and roaring sounds help in the creation of some level of anxiety among the audience. Low-pitched sounds such as the swinging of a door, sea waves and relatively calm winds can help in the creation of a peaceful or mysterious mood among the audience. Sound from this perspective is therefore a tool that is essential in ensuring that the audience are attached to the film and react according to the expectations of the filmmaker (Sergi, 2004). Through recent technology, special sounds have been added to films as a way of heightening the film experience of the audience. Sound effect such as explosions, wind, and animal sounds that are generated from the computers and added after the film has been made. Other than the creation of louder and more dramatic films, these effects also have the capability of providing some form of direction to the films. The directional quality of sound in film, including additional elements such as echoes, provide a three dimensional perspective of the films (Rothbart, 2013). The role of music in a film Music comprises one of the unusual conventions in the films industry. There is limited questioning of the role of music in the films because of the underlying expectations that there is need for relevant music to be played in every scene. Different techniques are applicable when incorporating music in film. One of the common ways of using music is as a guide to the expected emotional response among the audience (Buhler & Neumeyer, 2016). Music from this perspective provides clues and signposts that communicate to the audience on the expectations of the film make in a specific scene. There are however situations where film directors incorporate music in films in a way that is largely unexpected among the audience. For example in the 1971 film, A Clockwork Range, the director, Stanley Kubrick used singing in the rain as the background music of what was otherwise considered as a brutal rape scene. In this case, music was used in communication irony against the expectations of the audience (Sisto, 2014). An additional role of music is the provision of an overture in film especially when it is used in the background for opening credit. There are instances where film directors have incorporated music as an element of foreshadowing an event that is about to happen. In horrific films for example, directors often incorporate the sore a as a platform for building suspense and tension just before the presumed monster or zombie attacks a targeted victim (Beck & Grajeda, 2008). Music has often been used in shaping the ethnic and cultural context of a film. For instance, when the director wants to depict a film in the Mexican context, Spanish music would often accompany the scene. This is considered essential techniques especially when the director wants to develop some connection with the audience (Buhler & Neumeyer, 2016). The role of spoken word in shaping a film Other than the provision of voice to characters in a film, spoken word can be significant in shaping film through voice-overs and the provision of subtexts in a film. Voice-overs are common in documentaries and can at times be used in fiction film to provide a background story of facilitate the filmmaker with a technique of moving to a different set of events (Rothbart, 2013). From personal conversations, it is common practice to argue that there exists a subtext to the words that are heard. This comprises an implicit meaning behind the words we actually hear. When subtexts are used in the context of a film the objective is often shape a scene without the character actually saying what they mean (Beck & Grajeda, 2008). Conclusion There are different elements of sound that plays an essential role in shaping the outcome of a film. Sound effects for instance add a mood or atmosphere through the creation of a soundscape. This generates another layer of meaning to the mages that appear on the screen. Music plays the role of providing clues and signposts that communicate to the audience on the expectations of the film make in a specific scene. Spoken word in the form of subtexts and voice-overs, provide a technique of continuation form one scene to another. References Beck, J., & Grajeda, T. (2008). Lowering the boom: Critical studies in film sound. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. Buhler, J., & Neumeyer, D. (2016). Hearing the movies: Music and sound in film history. New York, New York : Oxford University Press Rothbart, P. (2013). The synergy of film and music: Sight and sound in five Hollywood films. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press. Sergi, G. (2004). The dolby era: Film sound in contemporary Hollywood. Manchester [u.a.: Manchester Univ. Press. Sisto, A. C. (2014). Film sound in Italy: Listening to the screen. New York, NY : Palgrave Macmillan Design rationale Layout and design comprise some of the most essential aspects in report writing. This means that it is the responsibility of the report writer to ensure that there exists some form of uniformity in terms of the layout of the report, the colour schemes and the legibility of the report. In terms of the layout of this report, the front cover is characterized by a mixture of clouds and images that provide the reader with additional details of the report. The objective of using a mixture of pictures and colour is to give an impression to the reader that the report is easier to read. The table of contents is an essential aspect in this report because it provided the reader with a gist of what to expect as the content of the report. In addition, through the table of content it is easier for the reader to easily access different pages. The reader can begin the process of quickly flicking through the pages to retrieve the information needed. The texts that comprise this report have been laid in a sequential manner. This means that the reader can easily understand the content of the report as he moves from the introduction, o the body and then to the conclusion. The introduction gives an overview of the subject matter and states the objective of the report. The body gives in-depth analysis of the subject matter of the report and the conclusion gives a summary of the main points as they are discussed in the report. The sequential approach to the format of the report is aimed at maintaining its objectivity and the realization of the professional objective of the report. In-text citation and referencing in the report have been used as prove that the report writer was involved in research and he can quote of paraphrase the work of other writers which have information that is critical in explaining the subject matter of the report. In addition, the report also embraced the elements of header, which is critical in the provision of information about the report on every page. The header of this report contains the title of the document and the page number. In terms of colour schemes, the report embraced warm colours. This is due to the understanding that colour may an important role in communicating the objective and the perceived content of a report. The meanings that colours communicate are essential in understanding the reasons for choosing one colour over another. This conveys the meaning that in the design of a report it is not sufficient for the report designer to use a colour just because he likes it but the use of a colour should be based on the intended meaning. Warm colours were used in this report due to their ability to communicate element of passion, and energy in a report. This report was communicating n the essence of sound in film. The warm colours were used to draw the attention of the reader towards the report giving the impression that it is an informative report. Read More