Audio Facilitates the Perception of Cinematic Continuity by First-Time Viewers. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ildirar, Sermin; Levin, Daniel T.; Schwan, Stephan; Smith, Tim J.
• Is Part Of: Perception. Volume 47:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 276
• Page End: 295
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: continuity perception -- film literacy -- first-time viewers -- diegetic sound -- role of audio; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception; Periodicals; 153.705
• DOI: 10.1177/0301006617745782
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0066

Abstract

Previous studies concluded that first-time film viewers often had difficulty integrating shots into a coherent representation of the depicted events in the absence of a familiar action through the film cuts or a salient eye-gazing of a character in the film. In this study, we investigated whether diegetic sound (i.e., sound that seems to originate from the depicted cinematic space) could effectively bridge shots for first-time viewers. Across a range of films, both dialog, and salient environmental sound (e.g., barking dogs) helped first-time viewers connect shots. However, sound was not always successful in supporting first-time viewers' interpretations. While experienced viewers were able to understand less-familiar linking sounds and environments, first-time viewers found this difficult. Overall, a range of diegetic sounds helped first-time viewers understand spatiotemporal relations between shots, but these viewers still had difficulty integrating views of unfamiliar environments.