Researching Sound Mixes

The Last Exorcism 0:00 - 0:16



Sound Graph
\

The types of different sounds and sound effects are very different.

Half way through the section i have noted down that there is a "Bang!", and then another shortly after, there is another. This usage can create a very short burst of fear in a view, being able to tell the viewer what the film is going to be about, generally bursts of fear. There is also a "low drum beat" towards the end of the section, this way it could be related to a rising heart beat, which makes the viewers heart beat increase, as show in scientific tests - if a viewer hears a heart beat rising, they will unconditionally rise their on heart beats.

Looking at this particular trailer, i have been able to make the analyses that a sudden burst of sound can be very effective in scaring a viewer, and that drum beats can be useful to make the viewer more intrigued.

Paranormal Activity 0:00 - 0:33


Sound Graph

In this trailer, it is easily noticeable that this footage has very little non diegetic sound. Using this technique can be very intriguing, as a black screen, between shots, with no sound whatsoever, can be quite dramatic, in some other trailers we expect there to be something jumping out of the darkness after a pause in music, however, in this bit, there is not, that way we are excited about nothing, this way when the real jump comes later on, we arnt expecting it, this way we are more frightened.

From this trailer i have realised that the usage of no sound whatsoever, is almost effective as a great deal of sound, as long as it is followed with a lot of sound, but not when it is expected to be so.


Identity 0:00 - 0:24


Sound Graph

 In this trailer, the usage of natural sounds is used to create genuine fear. The rain is used in order to make it sound normal to begin with, the hand appearing out of nothingness and then feeling the rain hit his hand, it almost seems poetic, then as lightning strikes, it cuts the shot. This way it can make the cut seem more rough and dangerous, in a sense that whatever comes next is dangerous, but as the cut is so quick, we are unable to do anything about it, again creating fear.

From this trailer, i have learned that load and quick sounds associated with a cross cut, can be very dramatic and make a simple change of camera shot seem more than it really is.