Surround sound perspective

Cafe Society
1

Was watching a movie. The actor was sleeping. Close up of her face. There was a distinct sound from my left surround speaker. Representing someone was in the house and it woke her. There was no obvious hint as to what direction the sound came from in the scene. Just my speaker.

It got me wondering who’s perspective is the sound placement supposed to reflect? The actor or viewer? Suppose the scene showed an actor facing the viewer looking upward at an approaching helicopter. I seem to recall that this would have the sound come from behind me in the rear surround and work its way to the front speakers. As if I was standing there facing the actor with my back to the approaching helicopter.

Is this a basic rule for the soundscape? As the viewer facing the screen would hear it?

Just something that popped into my head at that moment.

2

It should be from the viewers perspective. A soldier is running towards the camera, a bomb goes off to his left / your right, you hear it on your right. It’s the same perspective as the soldier anyway, the bomb goes off on his left, he hears it on his left, which is your right.

3

Thanks for speedy reply. So it is an industry standard thing?

4

It just wouldn’t make sense any other way. The sound should be coming from where the thing making the sound is.