Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Sound analysis

Sound is a very important generic convention that enhances how the audience interpret certain events by giving a different meaning to a scene as well as potentially foreshadowing the events. The music used within an opening would have an impact on the mood and tone of the sequence as well as the emotions felt by the audience.

Sound Bridge is sound used to link two scenes, by having the picture and the diegetic sound change at different points. Usually the sound from the second scene is heard before we start to see the picture from that scene. This gives the film a sense of coherency that affirms a film's continuity therefore this is a technique used in all thriller productions.

High pitch sound is slightly eerie, yet calm to build suspense for future scenes. This can be a sudden screeching noise that arises suddenly; symbolising potential danger or death.
e.g. This is implemented in the 'Psycho' shower scene where the screeching sound arises suddenly and instantly indicates danger to the audience. The high pitch of the sound makes the audience feel uncomfortable and weary of the action of the stabbing. 


Diegetic Sound is sound that belongs with the frame and what you would expect to hear following the narration or action in that scene. For example a door being opened may consist of the door creaking.
e.g. although this is used in all films, the thriller 'Black Swan' can be used as an example with the  sound of doors, rustling of people's coats, sound of the train on the tracks, people talking in the background are all heard on the train scene. 

Non Diegetic Sound is sound that has been edited into the frame after the scene has been created.Usually to emphasize, exaggerate or increase the sound of what would have been a diegetic sound.
e.g. This can be seen in 'Prom Night' through the opening of the envelope which consists of desperately wanted results. The sound is prolonged and exaggerated to intensify the scene by building up tension

Silence is when a scene is edited and no sound is displayed. Silence is able to create tension and suspense or even dramatic effect. 
e.g. This can be seen in 'Crash' where a little girl gets shot and her scream is muted which is extremely dramatic as the audience is able to focus on the expression on her face rather then the noise she makes. 

Parallel sound is when the sound and the image complement each other so the action and sound display similar aspects.
e.g.This can be seen in 'Scream' with one scene in particular where fast pace music starts to play as soon as the victim escapes from the back of the van and starts running. This makes the audience alert of the chase scene which is complimented by the sound. 

Contrapuntal Sound is when sound and image do not complement each other, for example happy music playing over a sad scene.
e.g. An example of this is in the film ‘Orphan’ before the sting where the sound contradicts the action taking place on screen.

2 comments:

  1. You have identified all the different sound elements well and you have also considered different films to support your points.

    You now need to analyse one specific thriller scene and discuss the sounds that are being used and also how it makes the audience feel

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  2. You have included further examples to support the terminology points, but one scene needs to be analysed in detailed. This will demonstrate your understanding of the conventions in further detail. The analysis must be written in full sentences and within the PEER format.

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