Asynchronism as a Principle of Sound Film, Essay Example

The thrilling effects and that interesting ‘thing’ about movies today have been a subject under study. The process dates way back to the ’20s where the evolution of sound in the film industry began. In an article published by Pudovkin in 1929, he argues that the technology of sound innovation in films has revolutionized the film industry. Moreover, he argues that natural sound in the movie is not quite as interesting as the created sounds.

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound in the Film

Sounds and music can be used for different reasons in a particular film. In his article about “Asynchronism as a principle of the sound film” (Pudovkin 86), he points out that the audio in sound can be used for different purposes in the film. For example, the sounds in the film could be a way to identify new content (Pudovkin 86). The content that can be brought out. Audio in movies has many uses, such as creating a thrilling experience and creating suspense. For example, in the film “strangers on a train” 1951 by the director Alfred Hitchcock, there have been sounds and music in creating suspense in different scenes in the movies. In creating the suspense during the murders that happen in different scenes during the movies.

Natural sounds in the movie could not achieve such a feature in the presentation of the movie. In movies, sounds and music can ‘carry the audience into different environments by playing the sounds in sync with the intended film frames and scenes. Sounds from a waterfall could be, for instance, recorded by the filmmakers or the movie crew, and this sound could be used to create that illusion of being near a waterfall for a certain film. The particular film could have been produced in a completely different place, such as a desert. That is the ‘magic’ of sounds in the movie systems. In his published work “Asynchronism as a principle of the sound film,” Pudovkin points out that the use of new technology has made the films be understood better. This feeling of better understanding the movie, the piece of film is achieved by employing the new technology sound or the ‘sound film’ as he refers to them in his work, whereby the sound and the music are used in a certain film can be recorded.

The Use Of Sound Creates A Strong Sense Of Nationalism

The recorded sound is better and helps the audience or the viewer of a certain work of art understand the art better than when relying on natural sounds, for instance, in the ‘silent films’ as the films using natural sounds are mostly referred to (Pudovkin 86). For instance, considering the named example above, the use of suspenseful soundtracks in the scenes where the characters in the movie “strangers on a train” by Alfred engaged in risky behavior, the scenes before one of the characters are strangled; the suspenseful music can be an aid to the viewer to understand that the next scene is going to be dangerous. This also creates that thrill to see what happens next. By doing this, the taste of the movie becomes ‘delicious.’ The use of these soundtracks and music should be used in a way they are relevant to the images or the video scenes. The unity and alignment of the two bring out the best in the films (Pudovkin 86). Using a soundtrack meant for a comedy video in a serious scene with sadness could confuse the viewer and/or the audience of a certain work of art. Sound and the images and/or video scenes should in the least be in sync with each other to bring out the best (Pudovkin 86).

The Rhythmic Use Relationship of Sound and Image

Looking into a further example, the use of sound can be seen in use in one of the movies of old. The film “Strike” by Sergei Eisenstein (1924) uses the tool of sound from the start to the end. The characters in the movie speak no words, and they are only acting. This movie or film is about a work boycott. The available on-screen explanations do the explanations. Before moving forward, what is worth noting is the way these two have been in sync with each other, that is, the images with the subtitles, the acted scenes, and the soundtracks to the music. These have all been used together beautifully and successfully. For example, one explanation image with the title “thief” follows a scene where the actors are observed to know who the thief is. The next scenes show the thief being beaten. Another image title says “stop work,” and consequently, the acted scenes show the actors laying down their factory working tools and leaving the factory in a hurry. One more says, “Go to hell!” a scene where one of the actors is observed spelling out these words inaudibly.

The Use Of Sound To Deliver And Transcend The Protagonist As A God

The soundtracks and the images used as well as the acts that follow are all in sync. They are “united,” as Pudovkin calls them. The unity and sync in this film have been seen to bring out or spell out the film’s meaning. The audience or viewer has a higher chance of understanding this film easily without needing much explanation because of the unity among these elements in the film. Another thing about this film is that it is funny and all its funny scenes are equally united with the best soundtracks and acted scenes. His running is in sync with the produced sound for every step he takes as he runs.