by Sven E Carlsson

I categorize functions of film sound in ..[1]

• illusion

• narration

A sound may have many functions at the same time.
 
 

ILLUSION

 

The main function of synchronous film sound is - as I see it - to give life and body to flat moving images. 

Sound enhance the illusion of..

• TREE-DIMENSION

Sound is in 1-2-3-4 dimensions, moving images is in 1-2-4 dimension, Images gets "body" and space by synchresis

• MATERIAL 

Something is made of plastic but it sounds stone
A fake bottle becomes real with the addition of an actual glass bottle crash from the sound editors library.

• TEMPORAL CONTINUITY

Different shots made at various times bridged by sound and dialogue

• SOURCE

Sound from speakers and image from screen
Read my text "Sound of Moving Images - Sound of Illusions"

• OFF SCREEN ENVIRONMENT 

Kerner's "creating illusion" is an illusion of "Off Screen Enviroment"-

A couple of years ago, when I was very inspired of Chion I made these terms to try to explain the narrative functions of film sound.
 

• "AUDIOFOCUS"  

focus perception to on-screen or off screen sound. 
 
• "EMOFORM" 

modifying the emotional quality of a sound
 
•  "SONOCODE" 

using sonic cinematic codes in the narrative as..
 
• Conventional sonocode, some sound effects are almost clichés as "the bell of death", "the wind of loneliness" etc.

• Temporary sonocode as "sound motive"

• Director's sonocode as Hitchcock's silence for power

1. "Functions of film sound: illusion & narration" is variant of 
M Kerner's   effect = illusion + mood    To The Purpose of Sound Effects

to Film Sound Theory

First version of this page 18/3 1998

mail to: svene.carlsson@folkbildning.net