Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition

              Juxtaposition is when two opposites clash against each other. In sound production, this would be when the soundtrack clashes with is on the screen at the time, For example, a screamer heavy metal song covering footage of a rose blooming or a lullaby while people are dying from being shot. A clear example of this would be one of the trailers for the Game ‘Dead Space’

           This is a good example as the soundtrack is of a female singing a children’s lullaby, which contrasts to the game play itself, which shows blood and mutilated corpses and murder. This allows the song to stand out from other soundtracks and that is why with this game, this version of the lullaby is seen as terrifying and always associated with this franchise and that the game is made remember-able for this element of being non-traditional and juxtaposing other games.

Non-Diagetic Sound

Non-Diegetic Sound

Non-Diegetic sound is where the source of the sound is not visible on screen or the source of the sound is known. These include the Narrator’s commentary on what happened/ is happening, Sound effects added for dramatic effect or music added to enhance the mood of the scene such as a soundtrack. Non-Diegetic sound is usually represented, as having the source of the sound outside the storyline I.e. the characters cannot react to it unless specified such as a parody.

An example of this would be ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ (1949 Clyde Geronimi, Jack Kinney – Walt Disney Productions)

In this scene, the schoolmaster sets of from a party home through the sleepy hollow. After hearing tales of the headless horseman, He works himself up himself up and becomes afraid of everything. After realizing it is all in his head, He begins laughing but then, the actually headless horseman arrives to claim his soul.

The non-diegetic sound within the scene is mainly the soundtrack.  It starts with no soundtrack but as the protagonist heads further into the forest, The sounds build up louder and louder to create the mood setting, both comical and yet terrifying to set the scene for the character. With the use of Brass instruments and string instruments like the violins including the xylophone, It creates tension and shows how the character is feeling. Soon, the music calms down as the character starts laughing, eventually stopping before Violently Restarting the moment the headless horseman’s laugh begins. The music used describes the actions that the characters feel yet; neither of the characters can hear the music. Another form of non-diegetic sound would be the narrator’s voice, telling the audience what the character feels, as he does not speak. The narrator cannot actually be seen but his words can be heard, as if a voice within the protagonist’s head.

Diagetic Sound

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is where the source of the sound is visible on the screen or the source of the sound can be implied to be within the scene. These include the voices of characters, sounds made by objects within the scene or music coming from instruments or sounds from electronics such as an orchestra or a radio. Diegetic sound can either be located on or off screen depending on the source of the sound within the frame or scene.

example of diegetic sound would be the scene from ‘Robin Hood’ (1973 Wolfgang Reitherman - Walt Disney Productions) in which Robin hood are escaping from the sheriff near the start of the film.

In the scene, none of the characters movements have sound, only their actions do. Examples of this would be the sound of the water splashing when the protagonists land within the water and When the archers let their arrows loose upon the protagonists including the sound used when the arrows get stuck within the tree.  The reason behind this is that the audience is focusing on the tale being told by the narrator so sounds added are ones that both compliment the soundtrack used but also ones that help amplify the scenario.