Film & TV Language: Sound analysis

   Alezey

Film & TV Language: Sound analysis

Hunting the Indominus Rex - Camouflage Scene - Jurassic World (2015)

                         

In this scene, the forest is filled with diegetic sounds like soldiers' footsteps, radio static sounds, and other animals in the nature as well as branches snapping and the water splashing while the soldier walks through it. Additionally, there is the switched scene of the other characters talking through dialogue which makes the scene feel tense. A low, suspenseful non-diegetic music track slowly fades in and works as a parallel sound as it coveys and matches everybody's nervousness. Right before the attack, the music suddenly drops and everything goes almost silent, except the diegetic river trickling and splashing. This is contrapuntal because the calm sound doesn't match the danger. The camera then fades and pans onto the blood dripping and then the slow fade of non-diegetic suspenseful music and branches snapping signals that danger is going to occur. When the Indominus Rex finally attacks, loud sound effects like roars, gunshots, and soldiers screaming take over, and the screaming carries over into the next shot, acting as a sound bridge that keeps the panic going even when the camera switches characters.  Altogether, the sound built up clues and tension that signal to the audience that something bad was about to happen.

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extension task:

FUNNY GAMES - 2001 - (opening scene)

 

1. What is the director saying about the family from the choice of music played?

The director uses the diegetic calm, classical music at first to show that the family seem like a normal, polite, upper-middle class family, and this is parallel because they may live a normal, safe life. It makes them look like a typical happy family enjoying their trip.

2. How would you describe this use of music?

The music suddenly switches to loud, aggressive non-diegetic rock music, which is contrapuntal because it doesn't match the peaceful setting in the car. This contrast would shock the audience and hints that something bad will occur.

3. How do you think the narrative might develop?

    The sudden change in music suggests that the calm, happy family life is going to be disrupted by something dark or threatening. It signals that the story might move from calm and safe to danger, like the music switching from classical which was diegetic and being played in the car by the family to aggressive rock which was non-diegetic as it was added.   

 

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE - 1971 - (Flatblock Marina Scene)

1. Is this the kind of music you would expect for this scene?

No, because the scene is violent and tense, and the calm classical music creates a totally different mood. You would expect the scene to be more fast-paced and have suspenseful music, whereas the soundtrack makes the scene feel unsettling and is contrapuntal.

2. Why do you think the director used this piece to go with the action on the screen?

    The director uses the classical music as a contrapuntal sound, so the peaceful music contrasts with the violence and makes it more shocking and almost inhumane. It also shows how the character sees violence as something casual, which makes the scene feel even more disturbing.