Sound
Sounds are used in films to create understanding and meaning for the audience about the character and their emotions. In thriller films sounds are used in order to build suspense and set the mood as this engages the audience. Sounds can also determine if there is a protagonist or antagonist which helps represent the characters. By using certain sounds, it can create a conventional thriller film.
A diegetic sound is a part of the film world. This means the characters can also hear the sound as well as the audience. The sound does not necessarily have to show where it is coming from meaning it can be on or off screen as long as it is a realistic sound for example, dialog, music from a radio or juke box, and laughter etc. Diegetic sounds help set the scene and make the film seem more realistic which keeps the audience engaged. In the film "Seven" at 4:01 and 4:06 there is a gun being fired and the audience can see exactly where it is coming from.
Non-Diegetic Sound:
A non-diegetic sound is not part of the film world. This means that the characters can not hear the sound but only the audience, for example, a soundtrack that is being played or voice overs/narratives. This sound is usually used to create suspense or tension for the audience as they know something is about to happen. In the film "Silence of the Lambs" from 0:00 to 0:10 there is a soundtrack being played in which the characters can not hear.
On Screen Sound:
An on screen sound is when the audience and character can see exactly where the sound is coming from. E.g. the character sitting in the car and turning the radio on or a character firing a gun etc. This helps the audience understand the narrative better as they can see where the sound is coming from. Throughout most of this "Fast and Furious" scene there is on screen sounds from the cars engine and can clearly see where the sound is coming from.
Off Screen Sound:
An off screen sound is when the audience can hear the sound but can not see where it is coming from however, it makes sense to the film world. E.g. being in traffic and being able to hear the horns of other cars or a character coughing. This creates suspense for the audience as sound is very unpredictable when you can not see where it is coming from. In "The Dark Knight" there is an off screen sound at 0:17. At this moment the door is closing however, we do not see it close but only hear it. This sound makes sense to the film.
Parallel Sound:
A parallel sound is when the sound you hear in a film is what you would expect to hear. E.g. a scene with children playing on a beach in which the parallel sound would be laughter, waves, boat noises etc. Parallel sounds are conventional to thriller films as the audience would expect to hear certain sounds in order to make the film flow. In the first 30 seconds of "Scream" there is parallel sounds as because they are in a school you would expect to hear announcements and the fountain in the background.
Contrapuntal Sound:
A contrapuntal sound is when the sound does not match the expectations of what you are viewing. For example, in "Jaws" the scenes of the beach are accompanied by the contrapuntal sound of the theme tune "dur dur" at 1:32 which does not fit with the happy images. This creates tension for the audience as they know something negative is about to happen.
Different types of sound:
Diegetic Sound:A diegetic sound is a part of the film world. This means the characters can also hear the sound as well as the audience. The sound does not necessarily have to show where it is coming from meaning it can be on or off screen as long as it is a realistic sound for example, dialog, music from a radio or juke box, and laughter etc. Diegetic sounds help set the scene and make the film seem more realistic which keeps the audience engaged. In the film "Seven" at 4:01 and 4:06 there is a gun being fired and the audience can see exactly where it is coming from.
Non-Diegetic Sound:
A non-diegetic sound is not part of the film world. This means that the characters can not hear the sound but only the audience, for example, a soundtrack that is being played or voice overs/narratives. This sound is usually used to create suspense or tension for the audience as they know something is about to happen. In the film "Silence of the Lambs" from 0:00 to 0:10 there is a soundtrack being played in which the characters can not hear.
On Screen Sound:
An on screen sound is when the audience and character can see exactly where the sound is coming from. E.g. the character sitting in the car and turning the radio on or a character firing a gun etc. This helps the audience understand the narrative better as they can see where the sound is coming from. Throughout most of this "Fast and Furious" scene there is on screen sounds from the cars engine and can clearly see where the sound is coming from.
Off Screen Sound:
An off screen sound is when the audience can hear the sound but can not see where it is coming from however, it makes sense to the film world. E.g. being in traffic and being able to hear the horns of other cars or a character coughing. This creates suspense for the audience as sound is very unpredictable when you can not see where it is coming from. In "The Dark Knight" there is an off screen sound at 0:17. At this moment the door is closing however, we do not see it close but only hear it. This sound makes sense to the film.
Parallel Sound:
A parallel sound is when the sound you hear in a film is what you would expect to hear. E.g. a scene with children playing on a beach in which the parallel sound would be laughter, waves, boat noises etc. Parallel sounds are conventional to thriller films as the audience would expect to hear certain sounds in order to make the film flow. In the first 30 seconds of "Scream" there is parallel sounds as because they are in a school you would expect to hear announcements and the fountain in the background.
Contrapuntal Sound:
A contrapuntal sound is when the sound does not match the expectations of what you are viewing. For example, in "Jaws" the scenes of the beach are accompanied by the contrapuntal sound of the theme tune "dur dur" at 1:32 which does not fit with the happy images. This creates tension for the audience as they know something negative is about to happen.
Thriller scene analysis:
In "Shutter Island" there are different techniques of sound being used.
Firstly, from the beginning of this clip a non-diegetic sound is being played as the protagonist is running. This sound is being used in order to build tension in this scene as it is evident something is about to happen. Meanwhile the non-diegetic sound is being played, there is also a diegetic sound. The sound of the protagonist running is clear from the leaves crunching beneath is feet. This helps the audience set the scene better. Furthermore, at 0:10 there is a off screen sound of the people having a conversation. We can not see this conversation, however, we are able to hear it clearly. This suggests the significance of the protagonists background as it emphasises him trying to hide. Additionally, at 2:10 there is another sound technique being used which is an on screen sound, the sound of the car being blown up is obvious to the eye.
Firstly, from the beginning of this clip a non-diegetic sound is being played as the protagonist is running. This sound is being used in order to build tension in this scene as it is evident something is about to happen. Meanwhile the non-diegetic sound is being played, there is also a diegetic sound. The sound of the protagonist running is clear from the leaves crunching beneath is feet. This helps the audience set the scene better. Furthermore, at 0:10 there is a off screen sound of the people having a conversation. We can not see this conversation, however, we are able to hear it clearly. This suggests the significance of the protagonists background as it emphasises him trying to hide. Additionally, at 2:10 there is another sound technique being used which is an on screen sound, the sound of the car being blown up is obvious to the eye.
Conclusion:
From researching the different sound techniques I am now able to distinguish between them and understand which one will be the most suitable for my thriller. I would prefer to use contrapuntal sounds as it is unexpected and will shock my audience. I would like to avoid the parallel sounds in order to keep my audience engaged.
Really nice post with some good examples. Only way to improve this would be to mention the response to the audience in each mini analysis.
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