Sounds in Films |The Killer| |Duel| Emily the Criminal |Pulp Fiction|
In films, sound plays a crucial role in enhancing the viewer's experience, influencing emotions, and creating a realistic atmosphere. The introduction of sound in films revolutionized the industry, leading to significant changes in production techniques and storytelling.
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Diegetic sounds occur within the film's action, while non-diegetic sounds are external elements like background music or voice-overs.
Diegetic sounds are sounds that come from the story world and are presented as originating from a source within the film's world. For example: dialogue, sound effects, and music that the characters in the film can hear, such as a character playing an instrument or singing, or a radio playing in the background.
Pulp Fiction (1994):
Diner Ambience: Throughout "Pulp Fiction," there are scenes set in diners with diegetic background noise, such as the sounds of plates clinking, conversations between patrons, and the sizzle of cooking in the kitchen. This diegetic sound creates a sense of realism and atmosphere, grounding the audience in the setting of the film.
Vincent and Mia's Dance Scene: In the famous dance scene between Vincent (John Travolta) and Mia (Uma Thurman), the diegetic sound of the music playing on the jukebox fills the room. The choice of music and its diegetic nature not only sets the tone for the scene but also serves as a focal point for the characters' interaction and chemistry.
Gunshots: In various action sequences throughout the film, the diegetic sound of gunfire adds intensity and urgency to the scenes. The sharp, visceral sound of the gunshots heightens the drama and violence, contributing to the film's gritty, pulp aesthetic.
Reservoir Dogs (1992):
Opening Scene: The opening scene of "Reservoir Dogs" features a group of characters discussing Madonna's song "Like a Virgin." The diegetic sound of their conversation establishes the camaraderie and banter among the characters while also providing exposition about their personalities and relationships.
Torture Scene: In one of the film's most intense scenes, a character is tortured by having his ear cut off. The diegetic sound of the character's screams, along with the accompanying dialogue and background noise, creates a visceral and disturbing atmosphere that emphasizes the brutality of the scene.
Car Radio: During the film's iconic "Stuck in the Middle with You" scene, the diegetic sound of the radio playing in the background adds an ironic and surreal element to the violence unfolding on screen. The juxtaposition of the upbeat music with the brutality of the scene creates a sense of tension and unease.
A Quiet Place (2018):
Silence: In "A Quiet Place," silence itself is a diegetic sound that plays a crucial role in creating tension and suspense. The film's premise revolves around characters who must remain silent to avoid detection by deadly creatures with hyper-sensitive hearing. The absence of sound in certain scenes heightens the audience's awareness and enhances the suspense, making even the slightest noise feel significant.
Footsteps: When characters do make sound, such as footsteps or accidental noises, these diegetic sounds become focal points of tension. Each footstep or creaking floorboard serves as a reminder of the constant danger lurking in the environment, amplifying the suspense and fear experienced by both the characters and the audience.
Whispers: The diegetic sounds of whispered conversations used by the characters convey important information without breaking the silence.
Non-diegetic sounds on the other hand, are sounds that don't come from the story world and are represented as coming from a source outside the space of the narrative. These sounds don't appear in the character's sound environment, so they won't be able to hear them. Examples include movie scores, narration, and specific sound effects added in post-production to enhance the drama.
Inception (2010):
Hans Zimmer's Score: The non-diegetic score composed by Hans Zimmer is a prominent feature of "Inception." Throughout the film, Zimmer's music serves to heighten tension, emphasize key moments, and evoke a sense of wonder and mystery. For example, the iconic "BWONG" sound that recurs throughout the film's soundtrack has become synonymous with the movie's themes of manipulation and the bending of reality. This non-diegetic sound establishes the film's tone and enhances its emotional impact on the audience.
Time Slowing Down: In several action sequences, such as the gravity-defying hallway fight, the non-diegetic sound design incorporates rhythmic slowing down of music and sound effects to create a sense of time dilation. This technique enhances the surreal and dreamlike quality of these sequences, emphasizing the characters' heightened perception and the gravity of their actions within the dream world.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003):
Howard Shore's Score: Howard Shore's sweeping, orchestral score for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is a quintessential example of non-diegetic sound used to enhance the epic scope and emotional resonance of the films. Shore's music underscores moments of triumph, tragedy, and heroism throughout the trilogy, imbuing the story with a sense of grandeur and mythology. For instance, the stirring "Fellowship Theme" accompanies the formation and journey of the Fellowship of the Ring, while the haunting "Gollum's Theme" underscores the tragic descent of the character into darkness.
The Ring's Theme: Throughout the trilogy, the non-diegetic use of a distinct musical motif associated with the One Ring serves as a leitmotif, representing the corrupting influence and power of the ring. This recurring theme underscores the central conflict of the story and underscores the stakes of Frodo's quest to destroy the ring, adding depth and thematic cohesion to the narrative.
Psycho (1960):
Bernard Herrmann's Score: One of the most iconic examples of non-diegetic sound in cinema history is Bernard Herrmann's score for "Psycho." The screeching violins in the famous shower scene, known as the "Psycho theme," are a prime example. This non-diegetic sound is used to create a sense of terror and suspense, enhancing the shock value of the scene and leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Silence: In contrast to the intense moments underscored by Herrmann's score, the deliberate use of silence in certain scenes serves as a non-diegetic sound technique to create tension and anticipation. For example, the absence of music during Norman Bates' chilling conversation with Marion Crane in the parlor adds an eerie sense of unease, signaling to the audience that something is amiss.
OST KEY IN NON-DIEGETIC SOUNDS:
OST (Original Soundtrack) in Hollywood films is really important because it's the music that's added to the movie after it's been filmed. This music doesn't come from anything happening in the movie itself, like characters talking or cars driving. Instead, it is the background music that sets the mood, creates emotion, and makes the movie more exciting or scary.
EXAMPLE: LORD OF THE RINGS, MARVEL UNIVERISE, DC UNIVERISE, JAWS
Foley Sounds: are a crucial aspect of filmmaking, especially in animated movies where every sound must be created from scratch. Move up closer to diegetic and nondiegetic definitions
Toy Story (1995):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGObAl6SLNU&pp=ygUhY3JlYXRpbmcgc291bmRzIGluIHRveSBzdG9yeSAxOTk1
Footsteps: In "Toy Story," Foley artists would create footsteps sounds to match the characters' movements. For example, the sound of Woody's cowboy boots clunking on the floor or Buzz Lightyear's metallic footsteps would be meticulously crafted to match their respective characters' personalities and materials. These sounds help ground the characters in their environments and add realism to the animation.
Toy Movements: The sounds of toys moving and interacting with each other are also created using Foley techniques. Whether it's the rustle of fabric as characters like Woody or Buzz move, or the clinking of plastic toys as they collide, these sounds help bring the toys to life and make their actions feel more tangible and immersive for the audience.
Coco (2017):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkteJ8w0-yk&pp=ygUXY3JlYXRpbmcgc291bmRzIGluIGNvY28%3D
Musical Instruments: In "Coco," Foley artists would recreate the sounds of various musical instruments used by the characters. For example, the strumming of Miguel's guitar or the tapping of Hector's bones would be meticulously crafted to match the performances on screen. These sounds help enhance the film's musical sequences and evoke the vibrant spirit of Mexican culture.
Ambient Sounds: Foley artists also create ambient sounds to evoke the richly detailed world of the Land of the Dead. This might include the fluttering of papel picado, the crackling of marigold petals, or the bustling sounds of the marketplace. These sounds help immerse the audience in the colorful and lively setting of the film.
Zootopia (2016):
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI7bbpFPYGw&pp=ygUbY3JlYXRpbmcgc291bmRzIGluIHpvb3RvcGlh )
Animal Movements: In "Zootopia," Foley artists would create sounds to match the movements and behaviors of the film's anthropomorphic animal characters. This might include the thud of Judy Hopps' bunny feet as she hops around, the swish of Nick Wilde's fox tail, or the scampering of rodents in the city streets. These sounds help make the animal characters feel more lifelike and relatable, adding humor and charm to the film.
City Ambience: Foley artists also create sounds to evoke the bustling metropolis of Zootopia. This might include the honking of car horns, the chatter of pedestrians, or the hum of electronic devices. These sounds help establish the urban setting of the film and immerse the audience in the vibrant world of the city.
Iconic sounds: Hollywood movies often become deeply associated with the films themselves and can evoke specific emotions or memories for audiences. Here are some examples:
Indiana Jones (franchise):
The Indiana Jones Theme: Composed by John Williams, the iconic theme music of Indiana Jones instantly evokes a sense of adventure, excitement, and heroism. This music is often heard during action-packed scenes, chase sequences, or moments of triumph for the titular character. Its use helps create a sense of momentum and anticipation, enhancing the adventurous spirit of the films.
Wilhelm Scream: The Wilhelm Scream is perhaps the most famous stock sound effect used in Hollywood. It's a distinctive scream that has been used in hundreds of movies since the 1950s. Its use has become somewhat of an in-joke among filmmakers and film enthusiasts. It's often used for comedic effect or to add a sense of danger or chaos to a scene.
Star Wars (franchise):
Lightsaber Sounds: The iconic hum and crackle of lightsabers in the Star Wars saga are instantly recognizable to fans worldwide. These sounds are created by combining various audio elements, including the buzzing of a projector motor and the hum of a television picture tube. Lightsaber sounds are used to signify the presence of Jedi and Sith warriors, as well as to underscore epic lightsaber duels throughout the franchise. They add to the immersive experience of the Star Wars universe and enhance the excitement of lightsaber combat scenes.
Darth Vader's Breathing: Darth Vader's labored breathing has become an iconic sound associated with the character's menacing presence. Created by sound designer Ben Burtt, the sound is a combination of scuba breathing apparatus and mechanical sounds. Vader's breathing is used to instill fear and anticipation, signaling his approach and heightening tension in scenes where he appears.
Jurassic Park (1993):
T-Rex Roar: The roar of the Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park is another iconic sound that has become synonymous with the film. Created by blending various animal sounds, including those of a baby elephant and a tiger, the T-Rex roar is used to signal the dinosaur's terrifying presence and heighten suspense during its memorable scenes. It's a sound that evokes both awe and fear in audiences, contributing to the film's sense of wonder and danger.
Fight Club (1999):
The Paper Street House: The creaking and echoing sounds of the dilapidated house where the narrator and Tyler Durden live contribute to the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the film.
Fight Scenes: The sounds of fists hitting flesh and bones, grunts, and heavy breathing during the fight scenes are raw and visceral, adding to the brutal and chaotic nature of the fights.
Narrator's Voiceover: The voiceover narration by the protagonist, often accompanied by subtle sound effects, helps to convey his inner thoughts and struggles throughout the film.
Project Mayhem: The sounds of destruction and chaos caused by Project Mayhem, such as explosions, breaking glass, and the roaring of the Paper Street Soap Company building going up in flames, signify the escalating anarchy and rebellion against society.