Sound ideas- Rebecca Williams

Synchronous sound• Definition: "Synchronous sound is sound that is matched to certain

movements occurring in the scene e.g when footsteps correspond to feet walking.”

Synchronous sound is vital to keep the continuity of a film or title sequence. It allows the audience the immerse themselves in the film and prevents confusion unless there’s a specific effect a director is going for. This type of sound also fills empty sound space.In our title sequence synchronous sound will be used a lot. In our script the antagonist opens a shed door and slams it shut. This is a perfect example of synchronous sound as the action is in view of the shot and the sound corresponds. It is also vital to build up tension within our title sequence eg. Footsteps of the victim walking along an alleyway.

Asynchronous sound• Asynchronous sound is the opposite to the previous example

of synchronous sound. • Definition: Asynchronous sounds don’t match the action

shown on scene. An example of this is sound of a train on the tracks however no train in sight.

This type of sound is very important in the thriller genre. It allows atmospheric tension to build as the sounds don’t match the action shown on screen. In our title sequence an idea is to use asynchronous sound of the knives clashing together when the shot is showing the victim, April. This idea stems from the section when she’s walking down an alleyway, the knives previously shown in shot will start again in parallel to the action of her walking.

Diegetic sound• “Diegetic sound. Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source

is implied to be present by the action of the film: voices of characters.”This type of sound is the background noise/sound effects that the character’s in the screen can here. It is vital for the audience to hear what the characters are hearing so the audience doesn't lose track of the action. Diegetic sound is used in almost all current films.In our title sequence we intend to use this type of sound a lot. One example of an area it is going to be used is whilst “April” is walking by the side of the road. The natural sound effect of the cars will be heard both by the audience and the character.

Non-diegetic Sound• Definition: “Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been

implied to be present in the action”Examples of this are:

◦ narrator's commentary◦ sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect◦ mood music

Non-diegetic sound plays an important role in the thriller and horror genre. It is sounds the audience can hear but the audience cannot. As we are creating a tittle sequence it is the introduction of the film. This means little action will be played therefore the focus will be on sound effects and background music, the characters can’t hear. This is an important section as it will allow us to gain a professional style to our project.

Sound effects• Definition: “A sound other than speech or music made artificially for use

in a play, film, or other broadcast production.”Sound effects are used in every genre in almost every film. They allow a layering in the editing process to enable the correct atmosphere to be created. As we are producing a title sequence for a thriller we have an idea of extra car noises to be built on as ‘April’ walks across the road. The volume will be quite loud almost in a drowning effect, this will allow April to be lost in the chaotic scene. Another place we may include sound effects is when the victim is in the park. As the real sounds of my group directing fill the film, sounds of children playing/screaming would fit the scene perfectly.

Voice Over• Definition: “The voice of an unseen narrator speaking”As we are only thinking of ideas for a variety of sounds, my group and I felt a voice over may it in nicely with the little action shown in our title sequence. If used we would have a voice over speaking the words “Last seen 24th May, missing girl April has resulted in a nationwide search.” this would follow with the over lap of different news reporters speaking “Missing girl”, “April, last seen crossing the rail tracks at..” This would occur at the end of our title sequence to finish. The voices would then cut off/ fade out as the title appears on a blackened screen.

Background music

• Definition: “Music composed specifically to accompany and heighten the mood of a visual production, as a movie.”

In all the title sequences I researched earlier in the topic, background music was used in all five title sequences. It is essential to enforce a particular mood into the material being viewed. The use of background music is also essential to introduce the credits in our film.