Sound tracks can be music or songs to fit in to the chosen film, they help to create an emotional effect onto the audience. Sound design is the process of specifying, acquiring, manipulating or generating audio elements. These are important to make the audience recognise the sounds anywhere, the music makes films iconic, for example Jaws and Psycho. I will analyse shortly the most iconic soundtracks.
What are diegetic, non diegetic and internal/external diegetic sounds?
Diegetic sound is any sound presented as originated from source within the film's world. Digetic sound can be either on screen or off screen depending on whatever its source is within the frame or outside the frame. Non diegetic sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action: narrator's commentary, sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect, for example music. Internal diegetic sound is sound within a characters mind so none of the other characters can hear it. External diegetic sound is sound within the media production that all characters can hear.
Here are some iconic sound motifs in which I will be analysing the music, the role it plays and what effect it makes.
- Pyscho
Instrumental and violin discords.
Role Played
Reflects a screaming sound as the victim's voice is edited alongside the music. The music amplifies her screaming and rasping sounds.
Effectiveness
Shocking and deliberately upsetting. There is only the sound of a shower running beforehand and the violin shatters the silence. The music is waiting to make the outcome of the scene immanent.
2.Trainspotting
Music
Upbeat to fit in with the heroin addiction because music is important to the characters, drums and guitar used, sound design including tyres screeching.
Role Played
The upbeat sound shows that the characters aren't just addicted to heroin but also to music, also shows characters music taste. This music is used to show lust for life due to it being upbeat and exciting which reflects the lifestyle of the characters and the action being chased at the start of the clip below.
Effectiveness
Makes the audience happy, the sounds are very cheerful, the film wants us to be as relaxed and as happy as the characters in the film.
3.Apocalypse Now
Music
Trumpet used, potentially a violin at the start with the helicopter noise, maybe even a flute?
Role Played
Used to show tension which leads to a triumphant ending. It is also used to show the madness of the war and is diegetic in that the characters can hear the music. The music is described as a storm coming and as demonic but tender.
Effectiveness
Strange music in my opinion for a shooting scene, the music can be interpretated as alarming at the start then sounding more aggresive with the heavier beats.
4.Ghost
Music
Vocals, drums, cymbals, guitar?
Role Played
Used to show love between the two characters, brings them closer, very affectionate song, the romantic song brings back memories to the female. The lyrics show that the male doesn't want the female to forget about the strong love they had for each other.
Effectiveness
The slow music is gentle, sounds soft and warm.
5.Rocky
Music
Drums, trumpet, triangle maybe? Electric guitar
Role Played
The happy music sounds triumphant and very energetic, could even be used for motivational purposes. It shows the hardship of a man trying to achieve his goals.
Effectiveness
Triumphant sound, makes the audience excited. The music makes you root for the character, it also fills you with a sense of pride.
All of the 4 films that we have been looking at in the post apocalyptic genre have slow paced music to highlight the idea of isolation and loneliness.
Sound Design
Sound design is an important part to a film, there is a lot of editing in films to make them perfect, for example editing the natural sounds such as wind noise, microphone rattling, distracting background noise, sound of actors voices changing from quiet to loud or vice versa. By keeping sound design simple it makes the audience focus better on the film. A way to improve sound in films is by taking away certain sounds and adding other sounds in, for example by muting the whole scene and adding on some pre recorded sounds of someone walking and heavy breathing would make the scene more clean and clear.
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