Sound Analysis

Funny Games (2001)

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

The use of music played at the start of the video is that they are of an upper higher class due to them listening to classical music which is categorised as being of a higher class audience. On top of that the use of having the family dressed in quite expensive looking clothes while listening to that music creates a sense of them being wealthy and posh.

2. How would you describe this use of music?

The very few first scenes start off as being diegetic and parallel as the music fits the appropriate scene and mis-en-scene shown. Originally the music is used as background music until the dialogue between the characters is audible as they now begin talking about the song as they try and guess what song it is and by doing this we continue to get the idea that they are upper class family that are also quite wealthy. Suddenly the music becomes non-diegetic and contrapuntal as rock music begins to play as they take out the CD, this goes against the whole plot of taking out the CD as we can’t hear them talk and we can now suddenly hear heavy rock music. The use of the change in music is useful as it does what was needed by making the audience questioning what is happening and confused as to why.

3. How do you think the narrative might develop?

Using the music we the audience can understand just from the opening scene that this film will not be your ordinary film and therefore makes us the viewer intrigued which is what the writer was aiming for in terms of a response from the audience. The use of music also gives the audience no hints about the plot as it has not really given anything away from the opening scene therefore the narrative and plot of the film is very compelling which draws and grips our attention even more due to the use of contrapuntal sound. This leads to the narrative potentially devolving very well due to the use of curiosity that it has provided the audience from the opening scene.

Clockwork Orange (2001)

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

When watching this scene I had originally anticipated a fast pace choice of song which would go with the violence and action scenes however the use of slow motion action scents mean slower choice of music causing a contrapuntal sound. This is because slow music isn't associated with violence however instead associated with romance movies or sad sombre areas of the film.

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

I think the director has specifically used slow and quite relaxing music and calming music so it is parallel with the speed of the scene. The action has been put into slow mo, and fast music therefore would not fit the music therefore making it contrapuntal to the scene. The use of the slow music makes the scene look more together and neat, it also reinforces the confusion of the actors as the attack has come as a complete shock.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

1. What sounds do you hear? How do you they help to build up tension?

The creeks of the wood planks and his boots build up tension as they generate a sense of fear. The creeks of the windmill also creates the tension as it puts the audience in a kind of uncomfortable position as the noise is extremely high pitched. All the noises are diegetic which also builds up tension as the actors can also hear them as well. The clicking noise of machinery at 1:20 also builds up tension as it almost sounds like horses galloping and running faster and faster. The whimpering of the dog and the cracking of knuckles were all signs and signals of pain which could help build up tension as we begin questioning why the dog is in pain. The buzzing of the fly continuously makes us tense as we are questioning when he is going to kill it to therefore stop the buzzing noise.

2. Can you identify the sound bridge? What is the effect on the audience?

At 0:58 there is a sound bridge as we can hear the train on the tracks however we cannot actually see it. The sound of the train doesn't actually link to the scene at that point which creates tension as the long build up makes up question what's going to happen with the train further into the film (possibly a crash?)

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

1. Discuss what sound is non-diegetic and diegetic?

The dialogue from the actors is diegetic as the other actors can hear what is being said it hasn't been edited in after recording. However the phone ringing is non-diegetic as the actors do not in fact hear the ringing as it has been edited in production. As well as the drum roll occurring in the background therefore is non-diegetic as the actors once again cannot hear it by use the viewer can hear it.

2. How does the director use the sound of the phone to link the narrative?

The narrator uses the phone to link the narrative effectively, as from the first scene throughout to the end of the phone ring is significant. At the beginning it appears as being non-diegetic as the actors can’t hear the phone ringing, therefore has been added during post production, as we travel through the scene the ringing of the phone becomes diegetic. This is added because the phone is actually ringing in the world of the film. This helps with narrative because we are able to identify the first part of the clips as memories and the ending is present day.