Session 8 film sound: Film Appreciation Course

Film SoundFilm Theory and Principles

Film SoundFilm Theory and Principles

Bong S. Eliab

Humanities Division

Ateneo de Davao University

Bong S. Eliab

Humanities Division

Ateneo de Davao University

AssignmentAssignment

Read Montage, Mise-en-scene, Camera Movement

Study: Introduction to the Complete History of

Cinematography Different kinds of SFX Lines: diagonals, verticals, horizontals

Read Montage, Mise-en-scene, Camera Movement

Study: Introduction to the Complete History of

Cinematography Different kinds of SFX Lines: diagonals, verticals, horizontals

Film SoundFilm SoundFilm SoundFilm Sound

Introduction Brief History The Role of Film Sound Five (5) Types of Film Sound Creative Use of Film Sound Functions of Film Music

Introduction Brief History The Role of Film Sound Five (5) Types of Film Sound Creative Use of Film Sound Functions of Film Music

Introduction 1/2Introduction 1/2Introduction 1/2Introduction 1/2

The art of filmmaking does not depend solely on the visual image.

It was once believed that the quality of film could be measured in direct proportion to its dependence on visual elements.

The less sound used, the better the film.

The art of filmmaking does not depend solely on the visual image.

It was once believed that the quality of film could be measured in direct proportion to its dependence on visual elements.

The less sound used, the better the film.

Introduction 2/2Introduction 2/2Introduction 2/2Introduction 2/2

In recent years, this approach has been proven fallacious. Just imagine Jurrasic Park or Harry Potter or The Lord of Ring without the sound effects, or any movie for that matter.

In recent years, this approach has been proven fallacious. Just imagine Jurrasic Park or Harry Potter or The Lord of Ring without the sound effects, or any movie for that matter.

Brief HistoryBrief HistoryBrief HistoryBrief History

From 1897 to 1927, films were silent. Word spoken: printed on the screen. Music: supplied by a piano player playing

behind or beside the screen to accompany the action on the screen.

From 1897 to 1927, films were silent. Word spoken: printed on the screen. Music: supplied by a piano player playing

behind or beside the screen to accompany the action on the screen.

Era of Silent FilmsEra of Silent FilmsEra of Silent FilmsEra of Silent Films

The great advantage of of these silent films: filmmakers had to find visual ways of expressing themselves.

Some of the best film of silent era used few or no titles at all, and yet they were thoroughly understandable.

This was the golden age of silent films with Charlie Chaplin emerging as the best of all silent actors.

The great advantage of of these silent films: filmmakers had to find visual ways of expressing themselves.

Some of the best film of silent era used few or no titles at all, and yet they were thoroughly understandable.

This was the golden age of silent films with Charlie Chaplin emerging as the best of all silent actors.

1927: Advent of Film Sound1927: Advent of Film Sound1927: Advent of Film Sound1927: Advent of Film Sound When sound came in 1927 with

Warner Bros.’ The Jazz Singer, starring Al Johnson, almost overnight the silent films disappeared.

But the films of this period forgot the many things discovered during the silent film period.

Suddenly pictures became static, actors did not move around but stood and talked a lot.

When sound came in 1927 with Warner Bros.’ The Jazz Singer, starring Al Johnson, almost overnight the silent films disappeared.

But the films of this period forgot the many things discovered during the silent film period.

Suddenly pictures became static, actors did not move around but stood and talked a lot.

Sound InfectionSound InfectionSound InfectionSound Infection Sound infected the movie, stifling

so many other visual methods of expression that had been learned during the silent film era.

Messianic complex of sound industry: Sound dominated the film and attempted to do all the work in film.

Film had to compete with radio which was just on the rise at the same time.

Sound infected the movie, stifling so many other visual methods of expression that had been learned during the silent film era.

Messianic complex of sound industry: Sound dominated the film and attempted to do all the work in film.

Film had to compete with radio which was just on the rise at the same time.

Principle of the Principle of the Art of Film SoundArt of Film SoundPrinciple of the Principle of the Art of Film SoundArt of Film Sound

“Sound must fit within the total film language and not attempt to be a language of its own.” (Fr. Nick Cruz, SJ)

All forms of film sound: must contribute to the total language of film.

Most often does not contribute but distract from the totality of film.

“Sound must fit within the total film language and not attempt to be a language of its own.” (Fr. Nick Cruz, SJ)

All forms of film sound: must contribute to the total language of film.

Most often does not contribute but distract from the totality of film.

Temptation of SoundTemptation of SoundTemptation of SoundTemptation of Sound

Sound can be tempting – use it in order to distract. Distracting: to use sound in order to make sure

that message gets across the viewer no matter what.

Examples: the unnecessary statement “I feel sick” when the face of the actor can have expressed the same thing without saying anything.

Sound can be tempting – use it in order to distract. Distracting: to use sound in order to make sure

that message gets across the viewer no matter what.

Examples: the unnecessary statement “I feel sick” when the face of the actor can have expressed the same thing without saying anything.

Types of Film SoundTypes of Film SoundTypes of Film SoundTypes of Film Sound

Dialogue Voice Over/ Commentary Music Sound Effects Silence

Dialogue Voice Over/ Commentary Music Sound Effects Silence

DialogueDialogueDialogueDialogue

Most familiar kind of film sound: expect this most naturally from movies

Dialogue: integral a part of acted movies that it is difficult to distinguish between visual communication and the dialogue

Generally, heavy or prolonged dialogue slows down the movement in a picture and puts the whole work of communication on dialogue.

Most familiar kind of film sound: expect this most naturally from movies

Dialogue: integral a part of acted movies that it is difficult to distinguish between visual communication and the dialogue

Generally, heavy or prolonged dialogue slows down the movement in a picture and puts the whole work of communication on dialogue.

DialogueDialogueDialogueDialogue

In general, British films are heavy on dialogue. Even the superb A Man for All Seasons (Five Oscars) is marred by its great dependence upon dialogue, since the movie is based on the play verbatim.

Note: A film that uses a dialogue only when it has to will seem better that the film that uses dialogue as a crutch.

In general, British films are heavy on dialogue. Even the superb A Man for All Seasons (Five Oscars) is marred by its great dependence upon dialogue, since the movie is based on the play verbatim.

Note: A film that uses a dialogue only when it has to will seem better that the film that uses dialogue as a crutch.

Voice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ Commentary

Basically a different from dialogue. Dialogue emerges from the very nature of

fiction film, namely, if there are actors it is only natural that they speak.

A voice-overvoice-over, no matter how well handled, will always be something of an intrusion.

Basically a different from dialogue. Dialogue emerges from the very nature of

fiction film, namely, if there are actors it is only natural that they speak.

A voice-overvoice-over, no matter how well handled, will always be something of an intrusion.

Voice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ Commentary An interruption into the basically visual

communication of the shots. Can accompany images; can illustrate,

support, exist in counterpoint or contrast to what is visually communicated.

Absolutely necessary intrusion: generally we would not understand what the film is saying without it.

An interruption into the basically visual communication of the shots.

Can accompany images; can illustrate, support, exist in counterpoint or contrast to what is visually communicated.

Absolutely necessary intrusion: generally we would not understand what the film is saying without it.

Voice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ CommentaryVoice-Over/ Commentary

See Color Purple: While Whoopie Goldberg is reading her sister’s letter mentally, her sister’s voice is heard over.

Some of the best examples of film in which commentary is kept to a minimum are the well-made commercials.

See Color Purple: While Whoopie Goldberg is reading her sister’s letter mentally, her sister’s voice is heard over.

Some of the best examples of film in which commentary is kept to a minimum are the well-made commercials.

MusicMusicMusicMusic

A special problem in films Powerful tendency to overdo the use of

music In early 30’s films, loud swelling of violins

would accompany every kiss If music is used too much, it will lose its

special appeal

A special problem in films Powerful tendency to overdo the use of

music In early 30’s films, loud swelling of violins

would accompany every kiss If music is used too much, it will lose its

special appeal

MusicMusic

There are numerous ways in which music can be integrated effectively with film:

Movie Theme: a film can have two to three themes running through the film which correspond to different people or key experiences.

Example: Lara’s Theme in Dr. Zhivago: the theme is heard the first time we meet Lara and is repeated with the appearance of Dr. Zhivago’s thoughts about Lara throughout the film.

There are numerous ways in which music can be integrated effectively with film:

Movie Theme: a film can have two to three themes running through the film which correspond to different people or key experiences.

Example: Lara’s Theme in Dr. Zhivago: the theme is heard the first time we meet Lara and is repeated with the appearance of Dr. Zhivago’s thoughts about Lara throughout the film.

MusicMusic Sometimes two themes will merge at the

climax of a film, suggesting the merging of separate or conflicting elements like in Moment to Moment.

In the movie The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner, the director Ralph Richardson uses jazz with shots of the young man running at dawn. Jazz conveys a sense of freedom.

Sometimes two themes will merge at the climax of a film, suggesting the merging of separate or conflicting elements like in Moment to Moment.

In the movie The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner, the director Ralph Richardson uses jazz with shots of the young man running at dawn. Jazz conveys a sense of freedom.

MusicMusic

In the same film, Richardson makes a brutal comment by depicting the guards beating one of the boys who tried escape from the reformatory with the background of other boys singing Jerusalem, a song of stirring hope.

Note: Music, therefore, need not always reflect the spirit of what is happening, it can comment on the visual expression by contrasting it.

In the same film, Richardson makes a brutal comment by depicting the guards beating one of the boys who tried escape from the reformatory with the background of other boys singing Jerusalem, a song of stirring hope.

Note: Music, therefore, need not always reflect the spirit of what is happening, it can comment on the visual expression by contrasting it.

Sound Effects (SFX)Sound Effects (SFX)

Two broad types of SFX: Atmospheric (atmos) Effect: background

effect Spot Effect: related to a particular on-screen

action

Two broad types of SFX: Atmospheric (atmos) Effect: background

effect Spot Effect: related to a particular on-screen

action

Atmos EffectAtmos Effect

Atmospheric: use of natural sounds in a film

Highly expressive element and a major source of dramatic effect.

A variety of off-screen sounds that heighten a sense of place or add mood or atmosphere to the film.

Atmospheric: use of natural sounds in a film

Highly expressive element and a major source of dramatic effect.

A variety of off-screen sounds that heighten a sense of place or add mood or atmosphere to the film.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Notes on AtmosNotes on Atmos

Natural sounds, therefore, make movie more realistic,

Add to the suspense, the strength, the beauty of a movie if they are used with sensitivity and care

Natural sounds, therefore, make movie more realistic,

Add to the suspense, the strength, the beauty of a movie if they are used with sensitivity and care

Notes on AtmosNotes on Atmos

Background SFX are normally quite straightforward.

They can be obtrusive or unobtrusive. Sharp and identifiable sounds in the

background can draw unnecessary attention to them and therefore, they should be avoided for ordinary general effects.

Background SFX are normally quite straightforward.

They can be obtrusive or unobtrusive. Sharp and identifiable sounds in the

background can draw unnecessary attention to them and therefore, they should be avoided for ordinary general effects.

SilenceSilenceSilenceSilence

This SFX (rather the absence of SFX) can carry meanings and change feelings more powerfully than any forms of sound can do.

Silence can sharpen our attention and encourage us to concentrate on the picture.

Ex.: a silent grim face; a wordless moment when men drop their weapons.

This SFX (rather the absence of SFX) can carry meanings and change feelings more powerfully than any forms of sound can do.

Silence can sharpen our attention and encourage us to concentrate on the picture.

Ex.: a silent grim face; a wordless moment when men drop their weapons.

SilenceSilenceSilenceSilence

Silence frees the viewer and enables him to experience a moment in a film without his feelings being guided by a musical theme or an actor’s line.

If skillfully used, absolute silence can carry more impact than a dozen tympani crashing in unison.

Ex.: from the movie Alive, after the plane crashed on the snowy mountain top, there was a long period of silence that was chilling and foreboding.

Silence frees the viewer and enables him to experience a moment in a film without his feelings being guided by a musical theme or an actor’s line.

If skillfully used, absolute silence can carry more impact than a dozen tympani crashing in unison.

Ex.: from the movie Alive, after the plane crashed on the snowy mountain top, there was a long period of silence that was chilling and foreboding.

Creative Use of Sound EffectsCreative Use of Sound Effects Common practice in filmmaking: add SFX

to cover almost everything seen on-screen

Example: A long shot (LS) of a city street at early dawn; the lid of the garbage pail falls to a pavement and the SFX of CRASH is heard (spot effect). In this way, a sense of reality of place is heightened. It is a direct use of SFX, usually designated to get the audience to believe the mise-en-scene.

Common practice in filmmaking: add SFX to cover almost everything seen on-screen

Example: A long shot (LS) of a city street at early dawn; the lid of the garbage pail falls to a pavement and the SFX of CRASH is heard (spot effect). In this way, a sense of reality of place is heightened. It is a direct use of SFX, usually designated to get the audience to believe the mise-en-scene.

Creative Use of Sound EffectsCreative Use of Sound Effects There are several ways of to enlarge and

enrich this standard use of SFX:

Example: if the previous scene takes place at dusk and it seeks to convey a mood of mystery, foreboding and gloom, the SFX of lid hitting the pavement can be given a slight echo or reverberation.

There are several ways of to enlarge and enrich this standard use of SFX:

Example: if the previous scene takes place at dusk and it seeks to convey a mood of mystery, foreboding and gloom, the SFX of lid hitting the pavement can be given a slight echo or reverberation.

Creative Use of Sound EffectsCreative Use of Sound Effects There are several ways of to enlarge and enrich

this standard use of SFX:

If the purpose of the scene is to startle or frighten the audience, the volume can be added beyond normal reality. In The Natural, the loud SFX of the ball hitting the gloves or the bat hitting the ball heightens the impact.

There are several ways of to enlarge and enrich this standard use of SFX:

If the purpose of the scene is to startle or frighten the audience, the volume can be added beyond normal reality. In The Natural, the loud SFX of the ball hitting the gloves or the bat hitting the ball heightens the impact.

Creative Use of Sound EffectsCreative Use of Sound Effects

Extended Sound:Extended Sound: SFX can be used to extend the dimensions

of what is seen, just like extended images, which removes the constrictive boundaries of the screen.

The filmmaker simply adds sounds that originate from elements not contained in the frame.

Extended Sound:Extended Sound: SFX can be used to extend the dimensions

of what is seen, just like extended images, which removes the constrictive boundaries of the screen.

The filmmaker simply adds sounds that originate from elements not contained in the frame.


Extended Sound:Extended Sound: Example: On a lonely deserted street at dawn, the

off-screen sound of a dog barking heightens the isolation of the place.

At the same time, it enlarges the boundaries of the frame: we can imagine a mangy, half-starved cur just out of range.

Extended Sound:Extended Sound: Example: On a lonely deserted street at dawn, the

off-screen sound of a dog barking heightens the isolation of the place.

At the same time, it enlarges the boundaries of the frame: we can imagine a mangy, half-starved cur just out of range.

Creative Use of Sound EffectsCreative Use of Sound EffectsExtended Sound:Extended Sound: Leo Hurwitz, in expanding a valid theory

of film sound, pointed out that many of the sounds we hear everyday originate from unseen sources (police siren, ambulance siren heard from a distance).

Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, was the early exponent of the use of off-screen SFX to heighten the terror of his suspense sequence.

Extended Sound:Extended Sound: Leo Hurwitz, in expanding a valid theory

of film sound, pointed out that many of the sounds we hear everyday originate from unseen sources (police siren, ambulance siren heard from a distance).

Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, was the early exponent of the use of off-screen SFX to heighten the terror of his suspense sequence.


Extended Sound:Extended Sound: Example: a prison cell at night, we hear

only the wings of a bat beating a furious rhythm against its body. Where? Somewhere nearby. This sound itself makes the cell more gloomy and dank.

Extended Sound:Extended Sound: Example: a prison cell at night, we hear

only the wings of a bat beating a furious rhythm against its body. Where? Somewhere nearby. This sound itself makes the cell more gloomy and dank.


Sound Metaphor:Sound Metaphor:

Example: In Citizen Kane, Kane’s empty-headed second wife, Susan Alexander leaves the room after a silly quarrel, a parrot screeches loud, making a pointed comment on her character.

In Robert Mulligan’s Love with a Proper Stranger, a rejected suitor goes out of the door, pursued by the pistol shots of a TV program in the room behind him.

Sound Metaphor:Sound Metaphor:

Example: In Citizen Kane, Kane’s empty-headed second wife, Susan Alexander leaves the room after a silly quarrel, a parrot screeches loud, making a pointed comment on her character.

In Robert Mulligan’s Love with a Proper Stranger, a rejected suitor goes out of the door, pursued by the pistol shots of a TV program in the room behind him.


Sound Metaphor: Sound Metaphor:

Example: In the satiric film Ballad of a Whore, there is a wedding between an old hag and a dim-witted fellow, in which we can hardly hear the official reading our of the words of the ceremony because of the noise of the pile driver on a neighboring building site – the discordant note matched the incongruous couple.

Sound Metaphor: Sound Metaphor:

Example: In the satiric film Ballad of a Whore, there is a wedding between an old hag and a dim-witted fellow, in which we can hardly hear the official reading our of the words of the ceremony because of the noise of the pile driver on a neighboring building site – the discordant note matched the incongruous couple.


Sound Montage: Sound Montage:

Although we use the same word “montage” for sound combination and image combination, there is a fundamental difference between the two.

The essence of visual montage is we see one single image after another and mentally combine or contrast them (like the baptismal sequence in The Godfather).

Sound Montage: Sound Montage:

Although we use the same word “montage” for sound combination and image combination, there is a fundamental difference between the two.

The essence of visual montage is we see one single image after another and mentally combine or contrast them (like the baptismal sequence in The Godfather).

Visual MontageVisual MontageVisual Montage: Visual Montage: A dialectical process that creates a third meaning out of the original two

meanings of the adjacent shots (editing thus has only two fundamental methods: cut and overlap).

A process in which a number of short shots are woven together in order to communicate a great deal of information in a short period of time.

Visual Montage: Visual Montage: A dialectical process that creates a third meaning out of the original two meanings of the adjacent shots (editing thus has only two fundamental methods: cut and overlap).

A process in which a number of short shots are woven together in order to communicate a great deal of information in a short period of time.

Creative Use of SFXCreative Use of SFX There may be montage in the sense of

sound, like: In Stand By Me, the boy shouting “Traiiinn!”

is picked up by the sound of a coming train. In Cinema Paradiso, the sound of the small

bell inside the theater is swallowed by the sound of the bigger church bells.

In Color Purple, the sound of rain water dripping is followed by sound of African natives beating bamboo poles.

There may be montage in the sense of sound, like: In Stand By Me, the boy shouting “Traiiinn!”

is picked up by the sound of a coming train. In Cinema Paradiso, the sound of the small

bell inside the theater is swallowed by the sound of the bigger church bells.

In Color Purple, the sound of rain water dripping is followed by sound of African natives beating bamboo poles.

Creative Use of SFXCreative Use of SFX There may be montage in the sense of

sound, like: In the movie, The Life of Hitler, there is a

scene of a military parade in Berlin with a loud military band playing “Deutchland” immediately followed by an explosion of guns in the Russian front with rugged German soldiers retreating and surrendering. The ironic contrast of visuals is strongly reinforced by the ironic contrast of the music

There may be montage in the sense of sound, like: In the movie, The Life of Hitler, there is a

scene of a military parade in Berlin with a loud military band playing “Deutchland” immediately followed by an explosion of guns in the Russian front with rugged German soldiers retreating and surrendering. The ironic contrast of visuals is strongly reinforced by the ironic contrast of the music

Creative Use of SFXCreative Use of SFX

AsynchronismAsynchronism

A combination of sound and image that we would not experience in real life.

Example: In Cinema Paradiso, there is a scene where Salvatore, the lead character visiting the soon-to-be-demolished theater which he frequented as a boy, he sees piled-up seats in empty orchestra and he hears the sounds of whistling and laughter of bygone days.

AsynchronismAsynchronism

A combination of sound and image that we would not experience in real life.

Example: In Cinema Paradiso, there is a scene where Salvatore, the lead character visiting the soon-to-be-demolished theater which he frequented as a boy, he sees piled-up seats in empty orchestra and he hears the sounds of whistling and laughter of bygone days.

Creative Use of SFXCreative Use of SFX

AsynchronismAsynchronismA combination of sound and image that we would

not experience in real life..All That Jazz: during the script-reading session,

we see people talking and laughing but we don’t hear them, just as Roy Scheider has shut them off his mind.

AsynchronismAsynchronismA combination of sound and image that we would

not experience in real life..All That Jazz: during the script-reading session,

we see people talking and laughing but we don’t hear them, just as Roy Scheider has shut them off his mind.

Functions of Film MusicFunctions of Film Music

Film music has traditionally been used in the following ways: To accompany the main title of the film

and the credits To heighten the dramatic effect of a

scene: like the very moving farewell in E.T.

Film music has traditionally been used in the following ways: To accompany the main title of the film

and the credits To heighten the dramatic effect of a

scene: like the very moving farewell in E.T.

Function of Film MusicFunction of Film Music

To give a sense of locale, like Paris or London, or Africa or Manila

To create or support pace and movement: a fast moving piece of music or SFX that accompanies a car chase sequence, like in Speed that certainly enhances the suspense and excitement of the scene.

To give a sense of locale, like Paris or London, or Africa or Manila

To create or support pace and movement: a fast moving piece of music or SFX that accompanies a car chase sequence, like in Speed that certainly enhances the suspense and excitement of the scene.


To identify the character qualities, like in Dr. Zhivago.

To predict things to come, like the music used in The Natural, whenever Roy Hobbs is going to hit home.

To identify the character qualities, like in Dr. Zhivago.

To predict things to come, like the music used in The Natural, whenever Roy Hobbs is going to hit home.


• To establish, maintain and change the mood of a scene, like the gracious romantic theme accompanying a love scene may suddenly give way to ominous music, thereby changing the mood of a scene.

• To establish, maintain and change the mood of a scene, like the gracious romantic theme accompanying a love scene may suddenly give way to ominous music, thereby changing the mood of a scene.


Although nothing changes on-screen, a scene of joy and laughter can be materially altered by a sad, foreboding musical accompaniment.

Music, in effect, warns the audience not to be deceived by what is seen on the screen.

Although nothing changes on-screen, a scene of joy and laughter can be materially altered by a sad, foreboding musical accompaniment.

Music, in effect, warns the audience not to be deceived by what is seen on the screen.


Music, therefore, is an important factor in the creation of motion picture.

In itself, it is a major art and it has its own complexities.

When added to the art of cinema, it becomes film music and can contribute as a vital element to the already rich tapestry of film.

Music, therefore, is an important factor in the creation of motion picture.

In itself, it is a major art and it has its own complexities.

When added to the art of cinema, it becomes film music and can contribute as a vital element to the already rich tapestry of film.

Session 8 film sound: Film Appreciation Course

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