Sound Blog

Funny Games (2001) Directed by Michael Haneke

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

The music at the beginning suggests the family is laid back and calm, with very little tension running through their lives. At 1:48 this changes dramatically from opera singing to rock music. Rock music connotes aggression, being hyper and also the idea of having strong views and beliefs. Rock music is also closely associated with sex and drugs. This suggests that the family isn't as calm and chilled as we originally thought. They may be political activists or have extreme view on life,society and the government.

2) How would you describe this use of music?

This use of music creates a strong contrast. From laid back soothing music to upbeat erratic music. This contrast creates a sense of confusion and leads us as an audience to asking lots of questions. The rapid transition suggests the family isn't all as they seem. The starting music was parallel as it seemed to fit the scene well and we expected from the beginning a chilled out scene. The second sound track was contrapuntal as we totally didn't expect such a drastic change. At 2:27 there is a sound bridge as we discover that the music carries on playing after the tape has been taken out. The music is non diegetic because it has been added during editing.

3) How do you think the narrative might develop?

I think the narrative might develop into being an unexpected vacation. This is because of the props in the scene and also the presence of a whole family who appear to be happy and enjoying themselves. The contrast from slow to fast music suggests that the events in the film won't be as expected and there will be dramatic changes throughout.

Clockwork Orange (1971) Directed by Stanley Kubrick

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

I expect quite fast paced music to go with the violence however because the videos have been slowed down it would be quite acceptable to have a slower paced music which would match the speed. If slow paced music was used it would be contrapuntal. This is because slow music isn't associated with violence instead it's associated with romance movies. Fast paced music would be parallel as it will link closely to the aggression and violence portrayed in the clip.

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

I think the director has used slow and quite calming music so it is parallel with the speed of the scene. The action has been put into slow mo and fast music wouldn't fit alongside it. The use of 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) Directed by Sergio Leone

1) What sounds do you hear? How do they help 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 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 we know the actor can hear them as well. The clicking noises of machinery at 1:20 also builds up tension as it almost sounds like horses running faster and faster. The dripping water drops also builds tension as we begin to ask where the waters coming from and what the reasoning is behind the loudness of the drops. The whimpering of the dog and the cracking of the knuckles are all signals of pain which help build up tension as we begin questioning why to dog is in pain. The buzzing of the fly continuously makes us tense as we are questioning when he is going to kill it and when the buzzing will stop.

2) Can you identify the sound bridge? What is the effect on the reader?

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) Directed by Sergio Leone

1) Discuss what sound is diegetic and non diegetic

The dialogue from the actors is diegetic as the other actors can hear what is being said and it hasn't been edited in. The phone ring is non diegetic as the actors can't actually hear it ringing during the actual scene it's all in the mans head so it has been edited in during the production. The drum roll background music is also non diegetic because it has been added during the production of the film. The high pitched squeak at the end is also non diegetic as it's been added after production.

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. From the first scene throughout to the end the phone ringing is significant. At the beginning it appears non diegetic as the actors can't really hear it, it had been added during post production. As we travel through the scene the ringing of the phone remains to be non diegetic as its been added to show the significant journey. By the last scene the phone ringing becomes diegetic. This is because the phone is actually ringing in the world of film. This helps with the narrative because we are able to identify the first part of the clip as memories and the ending is present day.