Sound dramaturgy and synthesis: the harmonic function of the sound score with visual elements in modern European and Hollywood cinema

Manas Bekpolatovich Abdreymov

doi:10.66900/negydw76

Film and dramatic art · 2026/1

Sound dramaturgy and synthesis: the harmonic function of the sound score with visual elements in modern European and Hollywood cinema

Manas Bekpolatovich Abdreymov ORCID 0009-0008-3372-6162 Nukus branch of the Uzbek State Institute of Arts and Culture

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.66900/negydw76

Keywords

Sound Dramaturgy, Audio Score, Sound Synthesis, Hollywood Cinema, European Cinema, Spatial Audio, Psychoacoustics, Cinematic Foley

Abstract

The evolution of modern cinema has transformed sound from a secondary supportive element into an independent narrative force. This paper explores the harmonic function of the "sound score" and its intricate synthesis with visual elements in contemporary European and Hollywood cinematography. By analyzing the dichotomy between the hyper-realistic, psychologically driven soundscapes of European art-house cinema and the dynamically synthesized, immersive spatial audio environments of Hollywood blockbusters, this study identifies how sound dramaturgy dictates visual perception. The research methodology relies on a comparative audiovisual analysis of contemporary films, focusing on the psychoacoustic impact of multichannel formats (5.1, Dolby Atmos) and modern synthesis techniques. Results indicate that while Hollywood employs aggressive synthesis and low-frequency oscillations to physically engage the viewer , European cinema utilizes silence, diegetic ambiguity, and raw acoustic textures to build psychological tension. The discussion further addresses the paradigm shift brought by generative AI and digital audio workstations in redefining the role of the sound director as a co-author of cinematic dramaturgy.

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