Media Film Terminology: Sound, Mise-en-scene and Editing Techniques

By Holly Sheldon

SOUND

Diegetic/Non Diegetic Sound

Diegetic – The world which is created on the screen to tell a story – an artificial world/setting. For example a dog barking, birds tweeting, someone making a speech. These are all sounds that characters would usually expect to hear.

Non Diegetic – Sound that would not be heard in a diegetic/artificial world. Such as a sound track or voice over. For example this is shown in the film ‘The Notebook’, as one of the main characters (Noah) narrates the story so we can see things from his perspective and sympathise with him.

Synchronous/Asynchronous Sound

Synchronous Sound – Sound that fits in with the pace/beat of the action taking place on the screen. For example this usually occurs in action films - such as horses charging synchronises with the fast beat of the rhythm.

Asynchronous Sound – Sound that doesn’t fit in with the pace/beat of the action taking place on the screen. For example this occurs in the horror film ‘Insidious’ in order to create tension and make viewers feel uncomfortable.

Parallel/ Contrapuntal Sound

Parallel sound – Sound that fits in with the mood of a scene. For example romantic music or soft violin music playing whilst a couple move closer towards each other.

Contrapuntal Sound – Sound that does not fit in with the mood of a scene and is a contrast to the scene. For example a nursery rhyme juxtaposed against the action of someone being stabbed.

Ambient Sound

Is simply background sound that is usually non diegetic that fills what otherwise would be a unnaturally quiet patches in the film. For example ambient sound is commonly used in films set in urban areas in order to create a constant busy and noisy city scene; sounds such as traffic, car horns beeping and people being loud and socialising tend to occur.

Sound Bridge

Sound or speech that is used to link shots together e.g a voice over, over two shots to show something is happening at the same time. E.g Sound Bridge’s are common in adverts, as a voice over is usually talking about the product whilst showing several different shots of the same product.

Voice OverThe use of a voice over moving images, perhaps an introduction to a film, can be used as a linking narrative device for action. Also allows the audience to see inside the head of a character (usually the protagonist) to help us empathise with them. For example at the start of the film ‘The Notebook’ a voice over is used of the protagonist as he tells a story over moving images so we can apply the plot with the action taking place.

Sound Motif A sound/piece of music that we associate with a character or place. For example the tune ‘I’ll be there for you’ we associate with the famous comedy TV Show F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Verisimilitude

Creates something in a film or TV programme that is credible/realistic and the audience can relate to easily. For example Soap Operas reflect Verisimilitude as the real life shown on TV is identifiable with our every day life.

Direct AddressWhere a character (usually the protagonist) speaks to the audience directly. It breaks the reality for the audience, but helps them to see the character as an equal or friend and someone to sympathise with. This often occurs in TV shows such as ‘Scrubs’ and ‘Malcolm in the Middle’.

EDITING

Action MatchA shot that cuts to another continuing a piece of action or movement between the shots. This allows the audience to see a smooth piece of action despite a cut in the shot. For example we might see someone shoot a gun the editor would then perform an action match so we then see the bullet hit someone else and the two shots then fit together seamlessly so we see both people’s perspectives.

Cross Cutting

Where an editor cuts between two separate scenes that occur in two separate locations to show the audience something is happening at the same time or to create a specific link or meaning between the two shots . For example in the film ‘The Godfather’ the editor cut back and forth between the christening of a child in a catholic church and the violent killing of several men.

CutawayA brief shot that is not totally necessary but is cut into the scene in order to show a related action, object or person before cutting back to the original shot. For example a couple may be having an argument, then the editor performs a cutaway shot of their child crying before cutting back to the original shot of the couple. This helps the audience to sympathise with the child and portray what the couple are doing as wrong.

EllipsisThe removal of elements of a narrative in order to speed up the action. For example an editor might use ellipsis in a sequence about a young man taking a drink by cutting straight to him as an old man, drunk and alone. The editor has missed out the story during the middle to speed up the action and show us how quick the man’s life has passed.

Graphic MatchA cut from one shot to another that look visually the same, shots that are linked by a similar shape or colour etc. They are there to show us a clear link between two scenes. For example a young girl playing with a red doll is then cut together using a graphic match with a woman holding a baby dressed in red, this might suggest the young girls developed into a woman or emphasise the gender stereotype of women typically looking after the babies.

Jump CutsA cut that moves to a similar part of the same scene but missing a piece of action out. They are often used to disorientate the viewer or show how disorientated a character is. For example if a group of young people at a party were being shown and included lots of jump cuts, it would represent the young people as disorientated, drunk and wild.

MontageA series of shots edited together to show the passing of time. For example in the film ‘Rocky’ we see a montage of shots of Rocky progressing during his training (getting better and better before his fight). This allows the audience to see Rocky’s progression without having to film from start to finish as this is time consuming as well as boring.

Visual Effects