Sound

Sound in Cinema
Sound, when applied to film, is coupled with footage to improve the quality of a film. Sound refers to everything audible in a movie and is a very powerful tool for storytelling or providing impact to a film. Sound can be used in film to emphasize a particular mood or add dramatic effect. It can be used to provide information in terms of both location and character as well or even help advance the narrative.

There are two forms of sound in film: diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound. Diegetic sound consists of all sounds that are made from a source in the movie world - the characters can hear diegetic sound as it's present in their universe. This sound is best used to advance the plot by conveying specific information across through dialogue, or create a sense of setting by providing imagery via a soundscape. Non-diegetic sound consists of sound that cannot be heard by the characters and doesn't, therefore, come from a source in their universe. Non-diegetic sound is used to portray a mood, heighten the drama or tell the audience something about the characters. For example, soundtrack or score music may be used to convey a mood which may change the audience's reading of particular characters or sound effects such as metallic crunches or violin screeches can be used to create anxiety in the audience during horror films. On the other hand, using silence in specific moments can be effective as it makes the audience uneasy or anticipate something - this may foreshadow any chaos later on. It draws the audience's attention to a sudden change in tone because the sudden absence of noise is uncomfortably noticeable.

What Do Sound Effects Add to a Film?
Sound effects may be used to create a soundscape and therefore develop the setting and create a mood. Using sound effects to develop a setting is useful in developing depth and layer to a location, which helps make the audience see the footage as convincing which will make them more inclined to engage with the film. Using inappropriate, irrelevant, unrealistic or bad quality sound effects will create the opposite effect. Sound effects can help develop the setting using background noise, for example, if the location is on a beach then the sound of waves, sea gulls screeching and a breeze can help develop this setting as these are noises associated with the beach. This will reinforce the location to the audience even if the location isn't in sight during the scene. This will help create a mood as sound effects associated with certain locations can invoke a certain feeling within the audience. For example, the sound of the sea lapping against the sand bed has very peaceful connotations and therefore creates a relaxing mood. Certain factors help make a particular sound effect create a particular mood. For example, high pitch noises, such as screaming or tyre screeches, will trigger anxiety in the audience. Lower pitches like the sound of waves etc. may create a feeling of relaxation.

What Does Music Add to a Film?
Music is an interesting convention in film as, obviously, real life isn't soundtracked - this helps separate film from reality which helps the audience escape reality and become engrossed in the fiction because it is dramatic and out of the ordinary making it captivating and magical to watch.

Music's main purpose in film is to invoke emotion in the audience and help portray a particular mood depending on what syle or genre of music is used. For example, if upbeat pop music is used than it is probably to portray a lighthearted mood, whereas, when a dramatic and emotional cinematic score is used it is probably to intensify the drama and invoke inspiration, awe or chill the audience. On the contrary, directors may not conform to conventional music in a scene to create shock in the audience. An example of this is during Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange', when classic, lighthearted song 'Singing in the Rain' was featured during a brutal rape scene. This eccentric technique is used to shock the audience - or perhaps even side with someone with villainous traits by using happy music when they do bad things to confuse the audience. This confuses the audience as they don't know how to respond - watching the horrible scenes will trigger disgust however, the happy song will make the audience feel the emotion associated with the song. This helps the film become memorable to the audience as it manages to blur the line between good and bad.

Music may be used to foreshadow moments, for example, in horror films, tension rising music is used to make the audience anticipate something scary to happen. An effective response to this music is to meet it with an anticlimactic silence so the audience feels relief, and then for the scary thing to happen to shock the audience and catch them by surprise.

What Does Speech Add to a Film?
Dialogue helps move the narrative as the audience convey to each other specific and significant pieces of information to help the audience understand what is going on - they help relay what has happened as well are an instrument used to convey new information. Conflict may be created through dialogue which will advance the plot.

Voice overs or narration help give context to a film as well express a character's inner thoughts, adding depth and relevant information to the film.


Conventions of Music in Specific Genres
Conventions of music varies depending on genres. This is because music helps affect the mood of a scene, and certain moods are synonymous with particular genres.

• Comedy - Music in comedy is generally upbeat and lighthearted. This helps suits the overall comedic and happy tone of the film. Music that arouses feelings of anxiety would not be appropriate for a comedy film as the purpose of comedies is generally not to unease the audience. However, this may be done ironically for comedic effect. For example, exaggerated and excessively depressing music may be used when something bad happens to a character - this will make it seem overly dramatic and create an anticlimactic kind of effect, making it humorous because ironic humour is used. In comedy films, soundtrack music tends to be used over score music. This is because lighthearted score music is often overbearing or tacky sounding and effects the overall quality of the film (although this too may be used for ironic intentions). Moreover, score music is often overly dramatic which doesn't fit the light vibe associated with comedy. In general, successful, upbeat pop songs are used in comedy. This appeals to people as it will be songs they like and because comedy is a genre that appeals to the most broad target audience, using music that will generally appeal to the majority is effective. It sets a cheery tone which is appropriate for comedies. 

• Horror - Music featured in horror films is often moderately heavy. This is because a darker mood is meant to be conveyed to fit the typical theme in a horror film. Because the purpose of horror films is to disturb the audience, using music that will invoke this feeling is crucial. This can include tension building music that uneases the audience and leads them to anticipate something scary to happen. Music that is chaotic or 'off'' - particularly that that isn't played in a specific key, is commonly featured because it has an unnerving sound due to it's off nature. Music featuring high pitches or metallic crunching are useful when triggering the feeling of anxiety in the audience. Destroying innocence and security is a common convention in horror, this can be emphasised through the music used in a sequence. For example, using eerie children's voices to sing would be deemed creepy as something that is supposed to be pure and innocent is now somehow threatening. Covering classic lullabies and nursery rhymes is common, especially when children's voices are incorporated into the cover. This is destroying innocence too, as well as the sense of security and warmth associated with childhood, which is what these nursery rhymes will originate from. Horror rarely uses soundtrack music as it subtracts from the seriousness and terror of the scene, however, songs considered creepy beforehand may be used eg. Tiptoe Through the Tulips featured in Paranormal Activity. 

• Action - Action films use a mix between both soundtrack and score, however the most iconic scores often come from action films. This is because action film scores are usually dramatic, cinematic and chilling - they inspire awe and intensify the drama greatly - they give the audience goosebumps because they are so powerful. Action film scores are often made using a lot of percussion - this creates a thudding feeling through the audience's chest, making them feel excited as the chaos unravels on the screen. Strings and orchestral instruments are also commonly used to create an intense and dramatic score, however, action film scores are equally as electronic. Fast paced music is used to suit the fast paced action on the screen. In terms of soundtrack, it is common to use rock songs - particularly as the target audience is men and these will often appeal to men (especially older men eg. Dads). These soundtracks are used to make the character's look cool and suave - particularly in slow motion shots depicting them walking or in vehicles eg. helicopters or sports cars.

• Drama - Because drama films follow the emotional ordeals a character endures, the music used will be quite emotional too. They are generally scores as these are the best ways to create undistracting but emotion invoking music. Drama film scores will often involve slow strings or piano as these are the instruments most commonly associated with sorrow or pain because they can create an emotional piece. On the other hand, uplifting and inspiring music may be used, these can be performed on strings and piano too. Soundtrack music is often an alternative genre that is rather slow and not overbearing and obvious - keeping the subtlety allows the audience to focus on what's going on as the action in the film won't be too chaotic and noticeable. 

• Romance - Music used in romance is similar to drama - slow rhythms often performed on orchestral instruments like strings or soft, subtle instruments like piano. Harps are considered a romantic instrument and therefore may be used. Inspiring tracks may be used when romantic moments are on screen and when heartbreaking moments are happening, sad and dramatic music will play. In terms of soundtrack, soft acoustic songs may be used to convey a romantic mood.