Use of sound

Inspiration:

This is the soundtrack we created for our thriller opening sequence which was influenced by music from Batman the Dark Knight composed by Hans Zimmer. We used Garageband to compose what we believe is a typical thriller backing track. We based it on the Bank Heist music from The Dark Knight because it was a very eery and added tension to the scene in certain areas. For example, the camera zooms to a glass building and the audience are expecting something to happen and then one of the windows smashes. Even, when you watch it again you are trying to locate the right window. My music is very similar throughout, as different sounds have been combined to create a constant droning with some added sci-fi themed noises to break the tension. The soundtrack is the only sound that is apparent in my film and this makes it very effective as there is a party going on, however the music is very tense and mysterious to foreshadow evil and death.

Other sound effects including the car boot slam and the waves at the beach were also done on Garageband. We found lots of different sounds which fitted into our opening sequence and then applied them. It allows the audience to feel like they are more engrossed in the sequence and due to the non-existent dialogue, these new sound effects are a welcome break from the backing track. For example, the tension is broken when the boot is slammed shut and the antagonist walks away, which is the first time you see his face fully. Also, the addition of the sounds from the coast add to the realism of the sequence as the audience think it is more believeable.

Use of sound:

Non-diegetic sound is important in our thriller opening sequence because it builds tension throughout the duration of the scenes with added emphasis on specific shots which are more important than others. For example, when the boot shuts on the victim there is a deep echoing 'thump' that conveys the protagonists entrapment. Also, another use of emphasis is the medium shot where shadows are used to denote the victims capture. It sounds similar to water being sucked away as the antagonist approaches the victim and this adds tension to the scene, meaning the audience know that it is important to the storyline. Then, after the credits have appeared, a sudden distorted synth sounds which is quite unnerving as the audience see the victim drop below the surface of the water for a final time conveying her death and the end of the sequence.

Diegetic sound is also important in our thriller due to it being significant sounds which the characters can hear. A good example of this is the noise of the sea which is paramount to the rest of the title sequence. Secondly, the tension is at its highest point during the POV shot of the victim drowning amongst the waves because it shows her struggle and the fact that the audience are unsure if she is dead or not. Furthermore, the music ends abruptly presenting the disturbance of the equilibrium and her possible death.