Sound

Sounds are used in films to create an understanding for the audience and to create more meaning about the characters and their emotions.

Sound is also used to create a response from the audience.

Digetic Sound

Digetic sounds is when the source is something within the film world, I.e dialogue or music. This is possibly a less effective use of sound to help a thriller film than non-digetic, but can be used very well in certain ways. A great example is in the film 'The Strangers'. In one of the films most tense points, and old LP starts playing with music which can only be from around the 1930's is on. This creates an eerie feeling of anxiety as part of the audience, and also allows the thriller to go wherever it wants from here, as it has hit on a convention that is not necessarily universally recognised.

Non-Digetic

This is when the sound comes from somewhere not in the film world such as background music. It may also be sounds that emphasises the situation like loud screeching noises that may have nothing really to do with it, but will increase tension, such as the murder scene in psycho. Psycho is one of the best examples of non-digetic sound being effective, but it can also be used in different more gentle contexts to avoid convention, and create even more mystery and suspense.

On Screen sound

 This is when it is possible to see where the sound is coming from, things such as cars, a jukebox etc.
This may create more of a realistic atmosphere because the audience is aware that the characters in the scene can here this too, especially if its a haunting noise. One of the most cliche uses of these across the thriller/horror world, is a knock of something in a room, for example something falling off a table, or even a piano playing itself.

Off Screen sound

This is when a noise being made is also in the film world, but it is off screen, something like in the film insidious, when the baby is crying off camera, then the mother goes to comfort her, we understand where the noise is coming from, but do not see it on camera. This can be used as it is in this scene to create an image in the audiences head that may seem like a viewer understnads what to expect from what they can hear. However this a really good technique to catch the audience off guard with, as a homely sound that everyone may be used to, something like the phone ringing, and someone walking to go answer it, could be used effectively with a killer standing by the phone.

Parallel Sound

This is when the sound you hear in a film is exactly what is expected, such as a poweful car having a loud motor. This is one of the most realistic sound techniques as it is how our world exists. This could be used to create a sense of hope when a victim may be trapped and feel isolated no longer. An example could be someone being trapped in the forest, but getting near a road in the forest, and hearing cars go past, may mislead the audience into thinking the victim is about to survive, but the plot could now twist to prevent them reaching this safety.

Contrapuntual Sound

This is the opposite of Parallel sound, this is when a noise is unconventional because it does not match the images on the screen. This may be things such as scenes from the exorcist, or sinister where children's voices do not make the sound we expect they should.



In this clip of Silent Hill 2: Revelation, There are many different sound effects used, all to different quantities, but each one just as effective as the other. A key sound technique for the start of this clip is off screen sound. The audience can see Vincent's face, but we can hear his actions of moving his arms to try and free himself of the chains that are tying him to the bed. They may have used this sound, as it is conventional to a thriller, in the fact that he is 'trapped' and the sound of these chains rattling represent the fact that he is held there, and in trouble.

The audience can also hear the sounds of knives swishing in the air each time noise is made by Sharon and/or Vincent. Something that could be missed, but makes a notable difference to the tone of the scene, is the non-digetic sound. There is background music playing throughout the clip, and as Sharon starts to free Vincent, the Nurses start moving again, and at this instant, the background music bellows, creating a darker more worrying atmosphere.