Planning of sound

Sound is a vital element of thrillers used to evoke the needed emotions in every scene. Infusing the sound in accordance to the visuals shown on the screen creates the needed thrilling atmosphere. The most conventional uses of sound involve loud noises followed by a long established silence and the sound of footsteps which builds anxiety and tension. The overlaying track is also a vital contribution that provides a tone to the scene and so has an emotional impact on the viewing of the film for the audience. It is able to cause the desired audience response, provide the audience with a further understanding and potentially foreshadow the events.

Diegetic sound is the sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film such as the voices of characters and sounds made by objects in the narrative. It's most significant use is to enhance the realistic pleasures of the thriller. It prevents the
scene to seen unrealistic as the image is reflective in the sound. 

The opening sequence will feature diegetic sounds such as;

- the phone disconnecting (illustrating the victim being failed by communication which leaves her in a vulnerable and helpless position where she is isolated from the outside world which would potentially help her in a life threatening situation)

- heartbeat (illustrating the anxiety felt by the victim which is associated with a quickened heart beat due to a rush of emotions)

- footsteps (a subtle sound of footsteps will be heard when the protagonist walks from room to room)

- rushed breathing (this illustrates the victim inhaling drastically due to panic and anxiety)

Off-screen sound is sound that is heard yet it's source is unknown. The audience will not be aware of when the sound will be made and so this will generate an instant unpredicted element of fear.
This type of sound will be used when a loud noise coming outside the victim's bedroom will be heard. Its source will not be seen or known which will create an enigma for the audience who may associate the sound with the antagonist's presence.

Non diegetic sound is the sound whose source is not visible on the screen and has not been implied to be present in the narrative such as the background track playing over scenes. It is used to enchance the tension in the scene and therefore create a suspenseful atmosphere. It is a conventional sound technique as it conveys a theme or a feeling to the audience; the sound used in the thriller genre mostly conveying fear and tension.

The opening sequence will feature a significant non diegetic sound which will be background music. It will be obtained from the website http://freesound.org which gives access to soundtracks that are copyright free. The desired track will be slow and steady while building up tension and increasing in pace in order a dark, unsettling mood which makes the sequence thrilling and full of suspense. The background sound will be parallel meaning the music tone and mood will be suited to the action seen on screen i.e. complimenting the sequence. It will therefore emphazise the mise-en-scene as well as providing tension and suspense.