THE USE OF SOUND IN FILMS

As much as films may be considered to be more of a visual experience, it's important to note how much impact sound has in films. A meaningful soundtrack is often as complicated as the image on the screen. The entire soundtrack is comprised of three essential ingredients: 

• the human voice
• sound effects
• music 

 These three tracks must be mixed and balanced so as to produce the necessary emphases which in turn create desired effects. 

THE HUMAN VOICE

Dialogue authenticates the speaker as an individual or a real person rather than the imaginary creation of a story teller. As is the case with stage drama, dialogue serves to tell the story and expresses feelings and motivations of characters as well. Often with film characterisation, the audience perceives little or no difference between the character and the actor. 

SOUND EFFECTS

Synchronous sounds are those sounds which are synchronized or matched with what is viewed. For example: If the film portrays a character playing the piano, the sounds of the piano are projected. 

Asynchronous sound effects are not matched with a visible source of the sound on screen. Such sounds are included so as to provide an appropriate emotional nuance, and they may also add to the realism of the film. For example: A film-maker might opt to include the background sound of an ambulance's siren while the foreground sound and image portrays an arguing couple. 

MUSIC

Background music is used to add emotion and rhythm to a film. Usually not meant to be noticeable, it often provides a tone or an emotional attitude toward the story and/or the characters. In addition, background music often foreshadows a change in mood.