Sound-image relations in audiovisual narrative: Improving audiovisual storytelling with a better understanding of sound

Abstract

This master’s thesis explores the relationship between sound and image in audiovisual narrative, as well as their influence on perception. It is a practice-led research project that investigates the characteristics of hearing and sight, sound and image, and the history of their connection in audiovisual practice.

The aim of this thesis is to collect and identify the relevant information from various sources of existing research, as well as map out the current needs for working with audiovisual narrative as a visual practitioner to answer the following question: how can a visual designer improve their audiovisual storytelling abilities with a better understanding of sound?

This thesis consists of a literary review, a case study, and a production component. The literary review prodives a theoretical framework, in which the studied cases will be observed and investigated. The production component presents understandable ways to involve sound as a part of visual practice.

Finally, the reflections and conclusions chapter discusses the benefits and possibilities of understanding the role of sound in current audiovisual work, as reflected through personal experience.