It is without question a tool of manipulation to be exploited by the director or sound designer to create a desired outcome. The extent to which this assertion is always true is debateable however it goes some length to describing the importance of sound to the visual medium of film, and deconstructing the developed visual bias of western society. Generally, sound may be described as an 'organiser of movement, as well as an intensifier'. After this identification, one may conclude the way in which sound exposes atmosphere is important to the film as an aggregate. The narrative function of sound cannot go understated - its story telling capabilities are often overlooked by mainstream audiences.
Synchronism refers to a sound where the source is visually identifiable.
Asynchronism is a sound where there is no apparent source. Parallelism refers to a sound that compliments an image. The Counterpoint indicates a sound that creates meaning itself. Actualised sound has a narrative source and Commentitive sound has no story basis, however follows a directorial orientation. This thorough framework is useful in analysing the importance of sound to film.