Reading Log #7

Sound in the cinema is a crucial component to cinematic narration processes. They give cues in both onscreen and off-screen as audiences synchronize what is shown to the sound produced. Cues given by sounds allow audiences to anticipate and understand the intended reading of the narrative, besides according to their experiences.

As exemplified in Vivre Sa Vie, 1962 by Jean-Luc Godard, the voices of the characters are often off-screen while the character itself is not present on the screen. This use of dialogue gives cues in which the audience understands that the character on screen, who is not speaking nor moving any lips movements, is communicating with the character that is off-screen because of the use of the character’s voices.

The presence of background noises like those in the café scene is the diegetic effect as we hear the plates and cups clanking. But as there is a dialogue between the characters, this low-pitch and average-volume dialogue sound is dominant and guided our attention (or to listen) to itself whilst the low-volume noises are secondary mixing of sounds. This is followed by a background music coming in. This French musical soundtrack is the non-diegetic effect that adds timbre and harmony to the scene. As the character speaks, there are moments of silence and this is a motif shown throughout the film. The purpose of this silence is to guide the audience focus and attention on the scene/shot presented.