Question 1: Describe how background music can influence the mood of a scene in a film. Provide two different examples of moods and the type of music that might be used.

Answer: Background music sets the emotional tone; for example, a tense scene might use slow, low-pitched music to create suspense, while a happy, uplifting scene might feature lively, major-key music to evoke joy.

Question 2: Explain the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic sound in media productions. Provide an example of each.

Answer: Diegetic sound originates within the story world, such as characters talking or a car engine, while non-diegetic sound is added for effect, like background music or narration that the characters do not hear.

Question 3: Identify and describe two techniques used in sound design to create tension in a media scene.

Answer: Techniques include using a sudden loud sound or sharp musical stings to startle viewers, and employing increasing volume or fast tempo music to build suspense progressively.

Question 4: List three ways that sound can be used to characterise a person or setting in media.

Answer: Sound can characterise a person by their voice tone, accent, or speech patterns; a setting can be characterised by ambient sounds like city noise or nature sounds; music can also reflect a character’s personality or mood.

Question 5: Describe how the pitch and tempo of a sound can affect the audience’s perception of a scene.

Answer: High pitch and fast tempo can create excitement or urgency, while low pitch and slow tempo can evoke calmness, sadness, or seriousness.

Question 6: Sketch a simple scene showing a character in a quiet, mysterious environment. Indicate how you would use sound to enhance this scene.

Answer: A sketch should depict a lone figure in a dark, shadowy space with minimal visual detail. Sound might include soft, ambient tones, distant echoes, or subtle whispers to emphasize mystery and quietness.

Question 7: Explain how the use of silence can be effective in media storytelling. Provide an example scenario.

Answer: Silence can build tension, highlight a moment of realization, or create emotional impact. For example, a character pauses before revealing a secret, with silence emphasizing the importance of the moment.

Question 8: Imagine you are designing a trailer for a horror film. Describe the types of sounds you would include to create suspense and fear.

Answer: You might include sudden loud noises, eerie ambient sounds, high-pitched screeches, and unsettling musical stings to evoke fear and suspense.

Question 9: Draw a simple storyboard scene of a character walking through a forest at night. In the space below, sketch the scene and annotate where different sounds (e.g., footsteps, wind, animal calls) would be added to enhance the scene.

Answer: A sketch showing a figure walking among trees at night. Annotations should include 'footsteps' near the character’s feet, 'whispering wind' in the background, and 'owl hoots' or 'animal calls' to create an atmospheric soundscape.