Iconic Sounds in Chick Flicks

Chick flick openings are often accompanied by an upbeat feel good song. The backing tracks that feature are usually feel good songs to create a positive atmosphere.

This is exemplified in the opening credits of 'Legally Blonde.' The backing track is Prefect Day by Hoku. The song is upbeat and gives the impression of a positive storyline.



Other types of music that chick flicks often include is 'pop rock' which features in films such as mean girls and St Trinians. 


Aside from backing tracks, there are sounds that are often heard in many chick flick films. These would include the sound of a bell ringing if the film is set in a high school;



Chick flicks often feature party scenes, therefore background noise would have to be included to make it seem realistic;

Sound in Mulan

Film summary- 
Based on a Chinese folk-tale, Mulan is a young high-spirited girl who tries hard to please her parents but always feels like she is disappointing them. Her father is drafted into the army which amounts to certain death because of his old age. Mulan disguises herself as a man and takes her father's place in battle, guided by a guardian dragon, Mushu. At the height of her success her secret is revealed and she is banished from home. But, undaunted she fights and defeats enemy invaders and saves the Emperor, bringing great honor to her family.

Sound in the opening scene- 
The opening scene of 'Mulan' exemplifies both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. At the start of this extract, the only sound heard is the backing music which sets the scene, this is an example of non-diegetic sound. Examples of diegetic sound in this scene are the sound of the bird, the voices of the characters and the sounds made by objects in the story (e.g the door opening,, the fire burning etc). 

Diegetic and Non-diegetic sounds

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound can be either on screen or off screen depending on whatever its source is within the frame or outside the frame. It is any sound presented as originated from sources within the film's world, for example: 

• voices of characters 
• sounds made by objects in the story 
• music (that is coming from instruments in the story- not backing music) 

Here is an example from the movie Mean Girls

Non-diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a source outside story space. Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action: 

• narrator's commentary
• sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
• mood music

Here is an example from the movie Jaws