UNDERSTANDING SOUND DESIGN AND FILM SCORING THROUGH A HERMENEUTIC APPROACH

Abstract

In film, sound design and scoring are often seen as merely complementary to the visuals. Due to the highly technical manipulation of sound, it is often assumed to be a purely technical element. However, sound is an integral part of human life and reality, also carries its own impression and meaning. Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics offers a potential framework for interpreting the broader and richer meanings of sound in film. In addition, Murray's soundscape theory, which posits that sound is an integral part of the environment, supports this view. Through the approaches of hermeneutics and soundscape theory, the study of sound in film can be divided into three perspectives: (1) sound as a common understanding, (2) sound in the context of film, and (3) the subjective (biased) meaning of sound as perceived by the audience. The philosophical hermeneutic aims to consider sound design and music in film not just as technical elements, but as media rich in symbolic, emotional, and narrative meaning. This study is qualitative and uses an exploratory method. The exploration is based on Gadamer's hermeneutics and Murray's soundscape theory.