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Non Diegetic Sound Analysis

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A complex layering of different types of sound in the film is intentionally to present the narrative, while there is no dialog or on screen caption. In Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), diegetic sounds and non-diegetic sounds are played as the important roles in explaining the scenarios. Kubrick first states that the main concept of the film is forced more on a visual experience than anything else; however, the layers of sound have actually created a strong impact and attract the audience’s attention. While Dave Bowman sitting in front of the dashboard, he seems facing some abnormal, so he starts to operate the systems to check out what went wrong, and then take action to safe himself. Although the scene is dark and quiet, the …show more content…

Later when he starts pushing the buttons with non-diegetic click sounds, a diegetic beep sound suddenly cuts into a field scene, which brings close together two types of sounds. The distinguishing in between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds are presenting something is happening after he checks the dashboard systems. While he turn around to check the other part of the systems, a high pitch alarm diegetic sound comes right after he touches some of switches, then the scene is ready to falling into a more serious situation. Thereafter when he successfully opens the pod bay doors and bounces off from the door way of the spacecraft, Kubrick removes all the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, to keep the scene in silent until Bowman turn the handle to close the hatch and follow with the diegetic air sealing leakage sound. This is to tell that Bowman has safe himself through properly operates the emergency hatch close. Such montage and the use of sound did attract the audience’s attention, since the high pitch alarm sound, immediate silences and air spray sounds are naturally highlighting a special moment. Thus, the audience will be expecting the turning point is occurring and have a desire of what is going to happen

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