Research into Sound ***

Within the thriller genre, sound is used to create an atmosphere to affect the audience into feeling the conventional emotions in which this genre consists of. The sound in the thriller genre typically manipulates the audience according to what is happening. For example, is suspense is created through content, sound will often be used to make the audience feel anxious as a result. This can be done through natural sound such as diegetic sound or added sound through editing, such as non-diegetic sound. Below, I have analysed a scene from the film Obsessed in how sound is used to manipulate the audience to feeling connected and affected by the scene.

Obsessed

Non diegetic sound is used in the scene; often used to enhance the visual so that the audience’s emotions are manipulated to feel anxious.  The visual content at this point consists of both ‘Ali’ in the house, juxtaposed with Beyonce going back to the house, unaware that someone is already there. When focused on Ali (the antagonist) the music fluctuates in pitch, going from very low, to increasingly high which connotes a similar sound to screaming. This foreshadows the upcoming events of violence as both women experience pain and screams as a result. This foreshadowing builds suspense as the audience are aware that a conflict will occur as this is implied through the combination of fluctuating sound and juxtaposed shots; however they are unaware of what exactly will happen, thus building suspense.

 Non diegetic sound is also evident later in the scene. While Beyoncé and Ali continue fighting in the scene, the music gains both pace and volume which is an example of non-diegetic sound, as it has been added through editing. Through the increase of tempo and volume, the conflict is emphasized to the audience and the climax suggests a potential outcome of escalating violence or death. A climax is conventional in a thriller to engage the audience through suggestion that an outcome will occur that will affect them.

Later in the scene when Beyonce is looking for Ali within her house, she opens the door. This is an example of diegetic sound as the door squeaking is a naturally occurring sound, rather than added in post-production. Diegetic sound is used in thrillers to make the scene more realistic, as the audience are familiar with these sounds and therefore are able to connect with them. The squeaking of the door creates an eerie atmosphere and suggests that the door/house is old, making it discomforting for the audience as it suggests isolation. Atmospheric sounds are conventional in the thriller genre as it affects the audience into feeling on edge as mentioned before. Also, high pitched sounds such as squeaks are also conventional to the thriller genre as the audience's attention is engaged into the unease caused by such sounds.

Finally, while Beyoncé is looking for Ali in her house, the floor squeaks from another room which is an example of off screen sound, because what is heard cannot be seen in the frame, however is necessary to the scene. The use of this off screen sound, suggests Ali is close which creates tension and an element of potential shock or conflict/violence. Off screen sound is very suggestive which is key when creating suspense as the audience is constantly unsure and therefore uncomforted. Creating tension or suspense in a thriller is conventional to keep the audience on edge which sound is used to do in this scene.

How will this analysis assist the planning of your own thriller opening sequence?

The analysis of this scene highlights the significance of editing in thrillers as it successfully creates suspense, tension, and emotions that stimulate the audience to connect to. However the scene I have analysed in a late scene in regards to the whole narrative, whereas I will be creating a thriller opening. Therefore there are some techniques that are more suited to my production that are evident in this scene. Off screen sound is used in the scene taken from the film, Obsessed. Off screen sound implies the unknown as it can only be heard and therefore makes both protagonist and audience vulnerable to who/where the sound is coming from. We plan to use this editing technique as it conventionally occurs in thrillers for this reason. Our protagonist will be in a similar situation, in that they will hear a noise from another room, suggesting she is not alone, thus conveying her vulnerability through lack of safety and knowledge. Diegetic sound is key within any content as it makes the scene more realistic and therefore the audience can relate to it more. Therefore, diegetic sound will be included in our opening scene so that the narrative appears more realistic and the audience are able to connect with it. For example, if a door is shut, you will hear it being shut. However, diegetic sound could arguably also appear predictable, because the audience can see the visual and therefore expect the sound to follow. Therefore non diegetic sound will also be suited to our thriller opening, as added music over the visual is unpredictable and therefore ‘jumpy’ to keep the audience engaged. The fluctuations in pitch and volume manipulate the audience’s emotions as it adds to what the visual is trying to achieve.