Sound Techniques

Dialogue 

Dialogue conversation between two or more people.

Diegetic sound

Any noise that is made in the scene. Furthermore, the character in the scene can hear the sound. it is sound is the sound surrounding the character such as dialogue and movement.

Non- Diegetic sound

Sounds that the character cannot hear, is called non-digetic. For example, the sound track or the narrator over the scene is a non diegetic sound.

An example of diegetic and non-diegetic sound is from Jaws, when the shark attacks the people in the sea by the beach. to view this video click on it below:

Sound Motif

A sound that becomes associated with a person, thing or programme. Every time you hear the sound you think of association. For example the Eastenders theme tune.

Synchronous Sound

The visual seems to move at the same time as the sound, they match. For example, in music videos, people move in time with the music. Sometimes the sound can be diegetic or non-diegetic sounds.

Contrapuntal Sound

Sound that does not match what you can see, it sounds inappropriate and does not fit the feel of the visual. It changes the feel of the scene. A Pop music used in a funeral. below is an example of contrapuntal sound:

Voice Over

A narrator or character is speaking over the scene so you mainly hear their voice.

Soundtrack

The piece of music played of the scene or trailer to create dramatic effects.

Ambient Sound

Everyday noises that you hear in the background of  a scene. They are used to make the scene more realistic. For example, if you are in your room and you can hear the cars outside.

Sound Perspective

Sound perspective refers to the apparent distance of a sound

Clues to the distance of the source include the volume of the sound and the balance with the other sounds, the frequency range (high frequencies may be lost at a distance).

Mode of address

This is where the narrator addresses the audience directly, often-confiding information or insights not available to the characters in the piece. This information is often taken as authoritative by the audience, and can effect the way they relate to the characters.

Sound Bridge

Sound bridges can lead in or out of a scene.

They can occur at the beginning of one scene when the sound form the previous scene carries over briefly before the sound begins. Below is a  example of a sound bridge on a scene from 39 steps, where towards the end, demonstrates a sound bridge:

Narrative Theory

What is narrative?

In media terms, narrative is the organisation given to a series of facts. Everything in media has a narrative.

Our mind requires narrative in order to make sense of things. We connect events and make an understanding based on the links. In everything we seek a beginning, middle and end. We understand and create meaning using your texts. Each text becomes part of the previous.

Many people get confused between the story and the narrative. The story is a sequence of events known as the plot, while the narrative is the way those events are put together, to be presented to us, the audience.

When looking into narrative you also need to think about what the story is about in its most basic terms, the theme, for example Love or war etc.

Narratives can be re used and have been re used a lot especially in super hero movies and in romantic movies as well

There are 4 different theorists, who have been very influential in the world of media.

Todorov

Todorov was a Bulgarian philosopher who proposed that all narratives falls into standard 3 part structure:

1. They begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced
2. Then disequilibrium, this is when something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium
3. Finally, is the resolution, which is a new equilibrium

Syd Field

Syd Field is regarded by many Hollywood professionals to be the leading authority I the art. He believes a narrative is split onto 3 acts. This is based on Todorovs theory but Filed has had his own take to it. Below is an example of Syd Field's narrative structure:

Vladmir Propp was a Russian formalist who analyzed the basic plot components of Russian folk tales to identify their simplest irreducible narrative elements.

Propp constructed a list of 31 functions and character types:

The Hero: leads the narrative, is usually looking for something like a quest or trying to solve something like a mystery. Examples of heroes are: Superman and Batman, who are well known. Even though a hero has been thought to be only male, there are females who also play a part in being a hero such as Wonder Woman and Catwoman.

The Joker in 'Batman'

The Villain: has a conflict with the hero and tries to stop them complete their mission and succeeding. For example, the Joker in Batman, and the Green Goblin in Spiderman.

The Doner: gives the hero something, like a special power, ability, which aids them complete their quest. For example, like in Star Wars, Obi-wan Kenobi mentored and taught Luke Skywalker everything, so that he could become a jedi. Another example, in Iron, the doctor who built a device which kept Tony Stark (Ironman) alive; it acted as a heart. Then he went on to become Ironman form then.

The Princess: is usually a pride or reward for the hero. However, if the hero is female, there can ebbs a price but this is unusual. An example is, is Princess Fiona in Shrek, when Shrek had to rescue her.

Princess Fiona in 'Skrek'

Donkey in 'Skrek'

The Helper: helps the hero, especially at times at need, acts as a sidekick. For example, Robin was Batman’s sidekick in a few of the Batman films. Another example is Donkey in Shrek, as Donkey was always there for Shrek.

The Princes’ Fathers: a figure who lays down authority and who offers a reward to the hero for completing their quest. That reward might be the prince or the princess or in some cases money, because the princess’ father can be seen as a false hero.

The False Hero: the false hero takes credit for the hero has done, taking credit for his actions, if though he didn’t do anything. Furthermore or he tries to marry the princess to someone she may not like or favour. For example, when Princess Fiona was forced to marry Prince Charming, and in the film he was trying to make out he was the hero.

Prince Charming in 'Skrek'

The Dispatcher: the character who sets the hero off.

Another narrative theory is Roland Barthes'.
Roland Barthes
Roland Barthes was a french semiologist. he suggested that narrative works with five different codes which motivates the reader to make sense of it.

Barthes Codes:

Action - a narrative device which a resolution by produced through action. for example a shoot out

Enigma -  a narrative device that teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved. This works very well as it makes the ending of the story very pleasurable.

Symbolic - (connotation)

Semic - (denotation)

Cultural - a narrative device which the audience can recognize as being part of a culture. For example, the culture 'made man' in a gangster film.

When a narrative is constructed in the order of events it is called Linear. However, when a narrative is constructed out of order, meaning it may go back and forward in time or have flashbacks, this is called Non-Linear.


Another narrative theory I learnt about was Claude Levi-Strauss' theory called the 'Binary Opposition' 

Levi-Strauss was a social anthropologist. He studied myths of tribal culture. He examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs and myths of a culture. These are usually expressed by the form of binary opposition. His research has adopted media theorists to reveal underlying themes and symbolic oppositions media texts.

These are xamples of Levi-Strauss; theory:
Homesteads Vs Native America
Christians Vs Pagans
Domestic Vs Savage 
Weak vs Strong
Garden Vs Wilderness
Inside Society Vs Outside Society

Editing techniques

Cut

The cut is the most common type of video transition. It simply means replacing one shot instantly with the next.

When using modern cameras, you can stop and start when you want to, which will automatically cut between each shot. Below, is an example of a cut transition:

When I watched the 'Kick Ass 2 trailer', and I discovered that there are many cut transitions. This is a perfect example of directors and producers use cut transitions for effect. To view this trailer, click on the video below:

Cross fade/ dissolve

A gradual fade from one shot to the next is known as a cross-fade, mix or dissolve, this slows the pace of the video, relaxation, photo montages, conveying a sense of passing time or location. Below, right is an example of a dissolve transition:

Shot, reverse shot

A shot, reverse shot, is used to show an interaction between two characters, with an over the shoulder shot. This usually follows from an establishing shot, then draws into the shot, reverse shot. To the left, is an example of a shot, reverse shot transition.

                                                                             
Jump cut

A jump cut is a transition between two shots which appears to jump forward in time, for example the character is at one place in one shot, then in another shot hes in another. This transition is used in nearly in every film, and used effectively.

Graphic Match and cut away cut

A graphic match is a cut in the film editing between either tow different objects, two different spaces, or two different spaces, or two different compositions in which an object in the two shots graphically different but the same shape. A cut away transition when you cut to another angle while filming a particular character or object.. The film 'Space Odessey ('2001) demonstrates a brilliant graphic match cut where a bone thrown by a Neanderthal throwing a bone which transits into a satellite, which is are similar shapes (shown to the right).
To view this clip, click in the on the video below:

In class we looked at this about this video about jump cuts, match cuts and cut away cut. Below is the link to this video:

Parallel editing/inter-cutting

A technique which cuts between two separate events that are occurring at the same time within the context of the film. The editing cuts between the two scenes. This is used in many films (especially superhero and action films) and TV programmes such as Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Holby City, which most of the British public watch everyday. Therefore, it is a technique we are bound to come across this technique, as it its commonly used. An example of parallel editing is from infamous film 'The Godfather. Click on the video to the right to view this:

Match on Action

A match on action is a cut that connects two different views of the same action at the same moment. Usually captured using a multi-camera set up or the scene your going to film, or it won’t look right and correct as it will look delayed. 

Montage

A montage is when a collection of scenes shows us a lot of things happening at the same time, usually showing us something really good or extraordinary. 

Wipe

A wipe is a very dated form of transition, when one side is wiped (moves across) to the other side. From left to right, right to left, diagonal in different directions.However, this transition isn't used that much these days because film makers don't see at as professional and suitable as the other transitions. Below is an example of a the different wipe transitions:

Mise En Scene

The mise en scene is what you view and see in a scene. However, You specifically look at and analyse, the:

• Lighting
• Props 
• Costume, Hair and Make up 
• Set
• Character Performance
• Shot type 

Below is a shot of a scene from comedy film 'Madea's Big Happy Family'.

First of all, this shot is a mid long shot which has been taken at eye level, giving you the perception that you are sitting around the table.
The set shows us that this scene is set in the dining room, where the dinner table is focused on. Furthermore, the set connotes the house might be owned by an older person, as the colour of the walls and curtains are quite dull, such as green, usually associated with older and middle aged people. the walls and the curtains seemed to be patterned, so this could suggests that this is a woman's house.

There many props in this scene, such as the dining table (mentioned previously), with the plates, cups and pots on it, chairs. Furthermore, the plates don't contain, food even though there is food on the table, however the cups are full with drink.

The lighting in this scene, is quite bright. This emphasizes the details, of what the characters costumes, the facial expressions of the characters, and the props. In addition the lamp in the background appears to be on, so the room seems to be well lit and that this scene must be at night time.

The appearance of the women denotes they have make up on, and well groomed hair, and the men are well groomed as well. This connotes that the the characters care about there appearance.

The costumes women's costumes are very colourful but the men's costumes are very dull, consisting of black and grey. This connotes that the women are colourful people, extravagant, which is show through their clothing, as woman has a green coloured dress, and the other is wearing a orange coloured dress, both are which are summery and bright. However,the men are wearing, dull coloured long sleeved tops, which connotes that the men are more subdued and not as loud and extravagant. Furthermore, while the women are wearing clothing you associate, with wearing in the summer, the men are wearing clothing you associate with in the winter. This is very contrasting and contradictory. Overall, from the connotation from their costumes, the women seem to be more colourful than than the men.

The character performance is significant in this shot, as it displays to us the relationship between the characters. As this shot is a mid long shot which has been taken at eye level, giving you the perception that you are sitting around the table, but the characters are closer to the camera, you are more focused on them, mainly the man and the woman who are looking at each other. The character on the far left, seems to be looking way from the conversation, the man and woman seem to be having, and she seems to be looking at someone cut if from this shot. Her facial expressions suggests that she is surprised at what someone has said or done, even though we do not know who she is looking at. The young man, who is sitting next to both women, holding a baby, seems to be looking in on the conversation, intrigued, which is demonstrated by his facial expression, but not involved in the conversation. The woman and man who appear to be looking at each other, seem to have some sort of relationship. This is shown, by how they are positioned more closer together than the other characters appear to be, and nearly blocking out everyone else. However, it looks as there is negativity coming from the woman, as she has an angry facial expression, which is towards the man, who has a straight and calm face. This suggests, there may be tension in there relationship, whatever, sort of relationship they have. In addition, as the man and the woman have different facial expressions, this shows that the feelings between these to, being angry are one sided, the man not understand or he is just putting a straight face, and isn't showing his emotions like the woman is.

Micro & Macro Analysis

In our previous lesson we learnt about micro and macro analysis. Micro analysis looks at the small aspects, the small details in media such as cinematography, sound, editing, mise en scene and special effects. However, macro analysis looks at the genre, narrative and representation, which are the bigger aspects in media.

Macro:

Genre
In macro analysis one of the aspects you will look at is the genre of the film or TV programme you have watched. The genre is a key aspect in film and TV as it plays with our emotions.  It is important, to identify what film genre your a watching. To identify this your need to look out of the cinematography, sound, editing, mise en scene, and special effects. For example, you are indicated when watching a film that a horror movie is a horror movie because, because of the dark setting, dark costumes, overall the mise en scene. In a horror movie, the sound goes quiet, then loud all of a sudden, and this happens throughout. The camera shot tend to go from long shot shots to close up capturing the emotions of a character sees a scary monster or zombie. These are things you look for when identifying a film.

Representation
In macro analysis, a representation is key as it is how a character is portrayed and how we view them. We view someone mainly on the way they dress, and look, the costume, their attire. For example, if a person wearing suit and tie or suit and bow tie, people, think that person is rich and posh. If you see a young man, wearing a baseball hat, chains, baggy clothes, we think that they are a gangster. This is known as a stereotype. we judge someone on the way they dress, without knowing ere personality later on in the film. However, in many films such as James bond, the stereotype, women being the weaker sex, and been used as sex tools, is addressed, as this does happen in every of the `bond movies, throughout. However, there is counter types, where a person has something in common with another person like the way they dress or what they listen to, but they are different in many way as well.

Audience
In macro analysis, knowing the audience the film or TV programme is aimed at is important, because that determines how we view the film or TV programme. As we know,  a film which is aimed at a horror film fan, we know that there expectations are that the film is going to scary as it horror film, a good story-line, props, lighting, and costumes to a good standard, which meets a typical horror movie standard.

Institution
The institution is the business or company who are responsible for making the film. For example, Disney are responsible for making many films such Mickey Mouse and many others. We associate the certain institution such as Disney to making a certain type of movies; using the same techniques such as cinematography, shot types, narrative, as well as targeting the same audience.

Narrative
Narrative is how the story that the film or TV programme is put together. It is an account if events and scenes. There are different narrative theories Todorovian and Syd Field's who believes every book and film goes by their narrative theories. However, not all films go bu these narratives that these philosophers have stated. In addition, the films that apply to certain narrative theories usually related to the genre, for example love films usually go by the same structure. Many narratives are used narratives such as Spiderman, Superman, Batman, where the story-lines are very similar, the main character is living a double life, a normal person and a hero.


Micro:

Cinematography
Cinematography is the way, a piece of media such as a film is presented through media photography, as well as the development and shooting of it. The way we view something is due to the way its been portrayed, and this applies to media as well. When looking into cinematography, we have to look into the shooting and development and how it links to the main theme.   After that, we begin to look at different factors which implicate to us what genre it is such as what shot types which have been used to help with the portrayal of the film.

Mise en Scene
The mise en scene is what you view and see in a scene. However, You specifically look at and analyse, the: Lighting, Props , Costume, Hair and Make up, Set ,Character Performance ,Shot type. From this you link it to the theme and genre in this scene, and how the characters in the scene are represented.

Editing
The way a scene is edited, is important as it links into the theme and the genre of the film. there are a variety of editing techniques, to represent this. For example, in some films such as fast paced films or trailers use the cut transition, to represent every punch and kick. A real example for this is when the 'Kick Ass 2' trailer where over 100 cuts were used. Furthermore, the transition used is used for a specific purpose.

Sound
When analyzing a scene, one or aspects with have to identify is the sound. There are a variety of sound techniques, such as diegetic, non-diegetic, soundtrack, of what the character can hear, or what has been added, to the scene from effect.The effects from the sounds used, except from contrapuntal sound, usually links to the theme or the genre of the TV programme or film. However, specific sound techniques are used specifically for that scene for example, dramatic effect.

Costume and Props
The costumes (what the character is wearing), and the props (chair, tables etc) link to the general themes presented on the theme as well as relating to the character performance.
Furthermore, there are many connotations and denotations. we can make from the costume and props as well as association we make with certain people and certain props we associate with certain people. For example, in a scene, we see a man wearing suit and with a briefcase in his hand, we assume that he is a business man.

Special Effects
Special effects are a series of effects, illusions and tricks used in film as TV in order to amaze the audience. The special effects used depend on the genre of that film, TV programme and so on.  For example, in superhero films such as Spiderman, where assumed, Spiderman shoots webs. This is a special effect. Furthermore  filmmakers have taken special effects to a different dimension, literally where you see huge monsters in a 3D. Examples such as Jurassic Park and King Kong have used these special effects.