P1- Explain how different sound elements are used.
Sound is a very important element media products as it helps
the audience become more emotionally involved in that media product. There are
many different types of sound that are used in media products. The main types
of sound are diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Diegetic sound is sound that is a
part of the world that the film takes place in; noises that the characters
would be able to hear. For example; a radio, or a car driving past, dialogue
and natural sounds like birds. Non-diegetic sounds are any sounds that are
added in that the characters would not be able to hear; for example, the score
or incidental music. In a media product the soundtrack is all the sounds
combined, both diegetic and non-diegetic. The different elements of sound can
be broken even further down to wild tracks, atmospheric sounds, and sound
effects, dialogue, and music. Wild tracks are sound that is recoded at the
location where the media product is filmed. This would be sounds that are in
the area but would not be picked up by the actors’ mics. An example of this
would be if there was an air-conditioning unit in the location, then this would
also be recorded separately as part of the wild track which would be used in
the editing of the film. Atmospheric sounds are sounds that are natural sounds
that would have been recorded at the location; for example, traffic or birds or
water flowing (depending on the location). Sound effects are all other sounds.
Sound effects are mostly used to emphasise the action of a scene and to make
the scene seam more realistic to the audience, for example footsteps or the
crash of something falling hitting the floor. Sound is used in all different
types of media products.
An example of sound being used in a film is the opening of
‘E.T.’. At the start of the scene [0:03], an earie wailing can be heard, it is
important as it creates a mysterious atmosphere for the audience. The audience
are unaware of what is going to come next and the unplaceable wailing noise
emphasises the suspense built up in them. After this at [1:11], a single wind
instrument can be heard playing a melody in a minor key, this lonely instrument
increases the suspense as it is not usually an instrument that it heard on its
own. The rest of the orchestra come in at [1:27] and it creates a sense of
peace within the audience as it sounds natural and dainty. However, the 6 long
chords that are held at [1:42], continue to create suspense as the deep long
notes (in a minor key) create an uneasy feeling in the audience, solidifying
the science-fiction genre. It is important to note that the music is bright and
pleasant when E.T. is on screen [3:39] and dark and mysterious when the men in
cars are on screen [4:42]. This tells the audience that we can trust E.T. but
not necessarily the men that are chasing him. As the on-screen tension
increases, the music becomes louder and quicker [5:44] to increase the sense of
urgency and danger that E.T. feels while he is being chased. There are also
many sound effects in the opening scene, for example the sound of heavy
footsteps [5:00], car engines [4:37], and keys jangling [5:06]. This combined
with the dark music tells the audience that these mysterious men cannot be trusted
as these are sounds that are not naturally fitting inside a forest. The natural
sound effects like owls hooting [3:22], and crickets [3:32] solidify that E.T.
is not out of place, as these are the sounds that are natural in the forest.
Other sound effects include a stream flowing [2:59], and a beeping radar of the
ship [2:32]. These sounds are important as they show the genre of the film
being science-fiction. Overall, sound is very important in the opening of E.T.
to show the audience which characters can be trusted.
Sound is important in radio products as it is the only thing
that the audience have to understand the story. Ambient sound and sound effects
are particularly important as they help the listener understand what the locations
of the story are. In the podcast ‘The world’s most popular fruit’, there are
several different types of sounds that enhance the listening experience. At
00:00 of the podcast, the music starts which tells the listener that the
programme is about to begin. At 00:13 the interviewer gives his introduction of
what the podcast is going to be about. At 00:02, however, one of the interviews
begins which tells the audience what the podcast is going to be about before
the host has given their introduction, this makes sure that there can be no
misunderstandings about what the podcast will be about. At 00:37 the same
interview from before the host’s introduction continues, this helps the
audience know who is talking as they will already recognise their voice. At
01:25 the music changes, this is important so that they audience will not get
bored of the podcast by having the same repetitive music. At 03:42 the sounds
of kitchen noises can be heard, this emphasises the use of the subject
(bananas) in one of their common habitats (as food in the kitchen) this helps
the listener understand more what the subject of the podcast is about. At 04:45
the sound of a banana being peeled can be heard, this enhances the listeners’
experience of the podcast as they will recognise the noise with the subject
matter and they will have a stronger understanding.
In video games, sound is used for
lots of different reasons, one reason is for player enjoyment, for example in
video 3, at 0:00 through to 2:43 the music is playing which allows the player
to enjoy it. As well as this, the music fits in with the theme of the game. For
example, in video 3, the aim of the game is to slice all of the blocks with the
lightsaber in time with the music, the electric music matches the futuristic
themes and style of the game. As well as this, each time the player hits the
block correctly, there is a sound to indicate that the player has done
something correctly, this enhances the players’ gameplay as they will be able
to hear when they have or have not made any mistakes. The game in video 4 is a
bit different. As a platform game, the music is more chill, the game also
includes many collectable items, this can be heard at 6:48 of video 4. The
different collectables make different sounds [6:48 and 7:05] this enhances the
gamer’s gameplay as they will be able to tell what specific item that they
collected. At 7:20 of video 4, explanation of how to play the game can be
heard. This enhances the player’s gameplay as they will learn easily what they
are supposed to do.
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