1927 The Jazz Singer
First feature film with synchronized dialogue and songs
1930s-1940s
A transition to sound. Not always smooth. Issues with placement of microphones etc, and sound technology. Also an issue with films that had previously been able to be marketed worldwide because they were silent (Some stars list their careers because their
1950s-Present
Stereophonic to Digital sound. Sound was important in the new blockbuster films of the 1950s and has evolved ever since
Sound and Image
some directors believe sound should be as important as the image and drive the narrative and create atmosphere, etc. Others believe sound has to just supplement the images�that the image, not sound, is the important part.
Synchronous (Sync) sound and asynchronous sound
sync sound (also called onscreen) is often recorded along with the image (dialogue) but not always. It originates from something onscreen (dialogue, a plane engine, music on a jukebox).
Asynchronous (offscreen)
sounds heard without their sources being seen onscreen (voice over, the musical score, or even sounds in the street outside an office building�all considered asynchronous.)
Ambient sound
the background noises of the scene's environment.
Diegetic (also called source music because it originates onscreen), non-diegetic
Diegetic sound is something that the character could hear. Non-diegetic is sound that the character would not hear, but the audience would.
Bridge sound
Sound that carries over from one scene to another to connect the scenes in some way. Often just used as a transition. Music may begin at the end of one scene and carry over into another. Sometimes used to tie the scenes together in some way�Example is the
Automated dialogue replacement (ADR
actor re-records dialogue that is later dubbed into original. In Italy, done for all dialogue.
Sound mixing
all sound is combined
Sound Mixer
in post-production, this person takes all sound, including dialogue, sound effects, the score, etc.�and puts them all together to meet the vision of the director and needs of the audience (for example, sound is manipulated to seem to move around the theat
Sound Reproduction
literally when the audience hears the sound�we believe we are hearing actual sound, but often it is a reproduction of a sound (a plane engine, for example)
Three basic types of sound in film
Voice (dialogue, voiceover); Music (narrative- is music that works along with the story) underscoring (background); Sound effects (added later).
Sound continuity
sound works to unify the meaning and experience of the film by working with it instead of overshadowing it.
Sound Montage
sound takes center stage and various sounds interact (sometimes multiple conversations, other times sounds that are overlayed or compete with each other).
The Foley Process
a process whereby everyday, and other, sounds are created in a studio and then added to the film later. These include things like walking, pouring drinks, closing a car door, etc. Sounds are also recycled from film to film if they are effective
Dolby sound
Greatly reduces background noise and enhances voices, sound effects and music. This sound (soundtrack) is actually placed between the sprocket holes of the film.
Sound
is recorded and edited in either analog or digital form.
Analog
recorded on magnetic tape and edited much like the image track is edited.
Digital
relies on Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), a computer and specialized app that matches the digital recording with the image
Composer
creates original music for the film.