ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses key areas within sound, looking at the use of dialogue and other vocals, at the range of possible sound effects, and at the use of a musical score. The uses to which sound can be put range from merely conveying a sense of realism to helping to suggest subtle aspects of character or theme. Dialogue is an important part of film and critical to our perception and understanding of the narrative. Sound effects can also come from off-screen, creating a very particular response from the audience in which they have to imagine something they cannot see on screen. Sounds from the everyday world such as thunder and lightning can be used to convey the sort of connotations normally associated with these noises. Sound in film also provides filmmakers with the possibility of using background music that does not arise realistically out of the imagined world on screen to give a sense of mood or atmosphere.
