P1 - Understanding how sound elements are used in media products

Drive Film Clip

Purpose: The purpose of the sound is to immerse the viewer in the world of the driver. Diegetic sounds are used to keep the scene realistic and grim. The purpose of the sound is to show the viewer what the characters are seeing.

Elements: The majority of the sound featured in the clip is created in post. Only dialogue sections will have been actually recorded and used. Sounds of police sirens, radio chat, and engine exhaust are featured heavily throughout the opening scene. Diegetic sound is the primary sound element although there is a small non-diegetic piece of music that plays in the background.

Meaning: The scene lacks dialogue, reiterating the focus of the driver. The sound of the police radios means that they are looking for someone. The sound of the game on the radio, implies that the driver is timing his escape in a very specific way.

Radio - The Harvesters (1565) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Purpose: The interview focuses on informative and factual dialogue rather than ficional content. The purpose of the sound is to educate and inform the audience about the artist's work. The presenter's dialogue is somehwhat clearer which helps to differenciate the different voices.

Elements: Various atmospheric sounds can be heard throughout, sounds of birds can be heard as well as non diegetic dialogue from the interview. This helps the audience become immersed in the scenery and environment, whilst also being informed and learning from the dialogue.

Meaning: The dialouge boosts the audience's knowldge of the paiting and how it portrays certain elements that the artist expresses. The would educate the audience with the artist's knowledge as well as with their own interpretations of the painting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0476m4n



Podcast - Welcome to Night Vale

Purpose: The pilot is from a fictitious podcast that looks into a small town through the perspective of a radio announcer. This podcast is rather descriptive in it's dialogue and the presenter announces news thats happening around the town. The use of dialogue allows audiences to become immersed in the story. Sound effects/music music also add to the immersion and tone.

Elements: Atmospheric sounds can be heard throughout the podcast to change the mood of the story. Other sound effects can also be heard to accompany the ambience as the presenter speaks. Music is also on every podcast to reinforce the feel of a radio podcast. At the beginning of each episode, a short piece of dialogue is heard for introduction purposes.

Meaning: These sound elements affect the way the listener feels, wether they're tense or relaxed, excited or bored. The mixture of the sound effects also change the mood of the audience. Dialogue serves to inform the viewer with what is happening and what the characters are experiencing.