Functions of Sound in Storytelling

Randy Thom Guest Author

Functions of Sound in Storytelling

In this blog’s word graphic you see twenty storytelling jobs that sound can perform in almost any kind of artistic medium that has a sound component … certainly in film, video, and games.
Some of Sound's Jobs in Storytelling:

help define a character        Draw attention to a detail, or away from it

suggest a mood or evoke a feeling        set a pace     

clarify the plot   heighten ambiguity or diminish it    describe an acoustic space

smooth otherwise abrupt changes between shots or scenes   
emphasize a transition for dramatic effect    
connect otherwise unconnected ideas, characters, places, images or moments
indicate a geographical locale         startle or soothe                  
heighten realism of diminish it        foreshadow events
indicate a historical period          create themes
indicate changes in time     exaggerate action of diminish it

One Sound Can Accomplish Many Tasks

A given sound is usually doing several of these tasks at once. Being aware of all these roles sound can play is useful not only when figuring out what kind of sound to play where, but also when collaborating with directors, editors, etc. to plot out a plan for how sound is going to function in the project.
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