When we say we watched a good movie, the first things that usually come to mind are stunning visuals, memorable acting, or a compelling story. But there is an invisible artist that makes us 'feel' that story: Sound.

Sound is the soul of cinema. While the image tells us 'where' to look, the sound whispers to us 'what' to feel. This powerful effect is created by the perfect harmony of two main components: Music (soundtrack) and Sound Design.

We often confuse these two, yet they are two different disciplines that complement each other. Music holds the emotional pulse of the film, while sound design creates the reality and texture of that world.

The slowly rising strings in a suspense scene are music. But the character's accelerating heartbeat in fear, the creaking floorboard, or the hoot of a distant owl is sound design.

One of the most fascinating areas of sound design is the art of 'Foley'. Named after the legendary sound artist Jack Foley, this technique involves creating sound effects in a studio, synchronized with the images on screen.

When you see a character walking, the footsteps you hear are usually not recorded during filming. A Foley artist recreates that sound in the studio by stepping on different surfaces (gravel, wood, concrete) with different shoes.

The solid thud in a punch scene was likely achieved by hitting a piece of meat or a vegetable. The sound of a sword being drawn comes from scraping two
pieces of metal together. Foley is the auditory illusion of cinema.

Atmospheric sound (ambiance) is what puts us in that location. If we are in a forest scene, we don't just see the trees; we hear the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the murmur of a distant stream. Without these sounds, the scene feels 'fake' and lifeless.

Radio dramas were the pioneers of this art. They had to create an entire world in the listener's mind using only sound effects and dialogue, without any visual support. Cinema inherited this legacy and took it a step further.

Sound designers don't just record real sounds; they also 'invent' sounds that don't exist. The hum of spaceship engines in sci-fi movies, the 'pew-pew' sound of laser guns, or the roar of a fantastic creature... These are all sounds designed from scratch.

For example, the iconic lightsaber sound in 'Star Wars' was created by combining the motor hum of an old film projector with the interference buzz from a television. This is the power of creative sound design.

Music, then, is the emotional layer that sits on top of this realistic sound layer. Music is generally divided into 'diegetic' (in-story) and 'non-diegetic' (out-of-story).

'Diegetic' music is music that the characters in the film can also hear. A radio playing in a car, a band performing in a bar, or a song a character is listening to on headphones are examples of this. This enhances the realism of the scene.

'Non-diegetic' music (the soundtrack) is the background music that only the audience hears, which the characters are unaware of. The epic orchestral music that builds suspense, reinforces sadness, or celebrates a moment of triumph falls into this category.

A good director doesn't make these two sound elements (design and music) compete; they make them converse. Sometimes the most effective moment is when the music suddenly stops, and we only hear the character's breathing or the ticking of a clock.

Silence is the most powerful tool in sound design. A constant bombardment of noise and music fatigues the audience and desensitizes them. But a strategically used moment of silence can lock our full attention on the screen and push the tension to its peak.

Think of the movie 'Jaws'. When we hear that famous two-note score (da-dum... da-dum...), we know the danger is approaching even if we don't see the shark. The music 'shows' us something our eyes cannot see.

With the development of technology, 'surround' sound systems have taken this experience even further. Now, sound doesn't just come from in front of us; we are completely drawn into that world by the sound of a helicopter from behind or a whisper passing by our side.

We have a similar experience when listening to the radio. Without any visual cues, our mood changes just with the speaker's voice, the tone of the music, or a jingle. Sound has the power to trigger our imagination.

Next time you watch a movie, try closing your eyes for a moment. Just listen. You will realize how detailed that world is woven with sound.

The footsteps, the door creaks, the howl of the wind, and that subtle music underneath... They are all there to make you believe in that story. Sound is the invisible but most powerful magician of cinema.