Research into Sound - Miss Miller

Research into Sound

I will be researching how different sound techniques are used within particular thriller films to create shock, surprise and suspense for their audience. The clip I will be analysing is The Reverse Bear Trap scene from Saw, I decided to choose this specific scene as there are a lot of different techniques used within it which all combine together to create elements of suspense and surprise for the viewing audience. Sound is used in films to create a relationship between the characters and audience as well as giving them a clear understanding in order to create meaning about the characters within the film and their emotions. It is also used to create a response from the audience and keep them engaged in what they are watching. There are many different techniques of sound used in many thriller films. Some of these include; Diegetic sound which is part of the film; For example, Dialogue. This sound can be on or off screen. Non-Diegetic sound which is not a part of the film for example, a soundtrack, sound effects or voice over narration. On screen sound is where you can see where the sound is coming from. For example, music coming from a radio. Off screen sound is where you can hear sound but cannot see where it is coming from but it still makes sense to the film world. Parallel sound is a technique which sound can be heard and matches the images seen within the scene and finally, contrapuntal sound is the opposite to this. It is sound which doesn't complement the image seen on screen for example, happy music played over a death scene. 

Within this particular clip, there are a variety of sound techniques used cleverly in order to portray scenes of violence evoking senses of shock, surprise, tension and suspense for the audience. This is key in thriller films as they combine together to keep the audience intrigued in the scene and make them want to watch on further to find out what will happen next.








The first technique evident within the clip analysed was the use of off screen sound which is seen when the audience witness the flashback to Amanda's death trap where a sound of high pitched screaming can be heard (0.52-0.53) Off screen sound is when you can hear the sound but cannot see the source, yet it still makes the film dynamic and is understood. This creates an element of disorientation as the image accompanied with the sound is of Amanda writhing around in the chair she is tied down to after waking up. This also creates a sense of confusion as to how she might have got in this position which also causes the audience to question what happened to her and why she has been put in such a horrifying situation. The sound also highlights just how scary and dangerous the situation must have been for Amanda as we can see her clearly struggling and crying showing how scared she is. The threat of the situation is intensified when Amanda hears the tape of Jigsaw explaining the game to her as we find out that this is a game of life or death. This is conventional to the genre as thrillers keep the audience on the edge of their seat in order to create suspense and make them want to watch on so they are able to find out if Amanda will make it out alive. By using the image accompanied with the sound, this also diverts the audience's attention to the particular sound being played and enables them to make their own judgement on the character. The image is shown abruptly and briefly before focusing on another image, this helps to create a sense of confusion as the audience are unsure what is happening at this point.

An example of on screen sound is also used within the clip which is seen when the audience see the TV screen turn on and the serial killer 'Jigsaw' starts to explain why Amanda is there and what she has to do to survive (1.18-2.30) This is on screen sound as the audience can see and hear exactly where the sound is coming from. Jigsaw's voice is accompanied with a reaction shot from Amanda where she immediately starts screaming and attempting to escape her restraints keeping her in the chair. This helps to build tension within the scene as the audience are unsure whether or not Amanda is going to survive or if she is going to die. By constantly having the sound of Amanda's struggle to escape, this helps to prolong tension within the scene and create an idea that Amanda will have to fight back bravely in order to save her own life. As the character herself is extremely anxious and scared, this causes the audience to feel the same way as they want her to live and escape this terrifying situation. This is conventional for thriller films as the use of on screen sound helps to build the tension within a scene so when the climax is reached, this is big and the audience are well aware of it. Furthermore, the audience are left hooked on what they are watching in order to watch further so they are able to find out exactly what happens to Amanda and how far she may go in order to survive.

Leading on from this, another technique identified within the clip analysed was the use of Parallel sound.This is when the sound and images on screen compliment each other. The audience see the image of Amanda stabbing her cellmate several times in order to retrieve the key needed to unlock the device on her head. This is accompanied by the sound of the knife going into the man's body therefore supporting the image shown (3.58-4.05) Parallel sound helps to convey feelings of despair as the audience can see that Amanda clearly doesn't want to kill the man but she is forced to do this due to having a strong desire to make it out alive creating tension within the audience. As the man involved is her cellmate, this demonstrates a vague indication into the relationship between him and Amanda as they had been previously involved with each other hence why he has been brought into the game. The initial sound of the knife penetrating the man's body every time can be heard as being sharp and harsh with the sound of blood spurting after the knife has been inserted. This creates shock within the audience as they are witnessing a woman desperate to live performing an act which is horrific and diabolical, something no one should ever have to go through. This is conventional to the thriller genre as this creates a 'jumpy' atmosphere for the audience therefore heightening the emotions they may already be feeling. This also helps to build suspense as it conveys that the genre is in fact a thriller and make the audience wonder if Amanda will be able to get to the key in time.

Finally, the use of Diegetic sound was evident within the clip which was shown when Amanda stood up and the timer on her trap was activated and started ticking (2.44). The sound is accompanied with the image of the string becoming detached and the timer is initiated which also makes this sound parallel as the sound matches the image being shown on screen. Diegetic sound is music or sound which belongs within a frame that can be considered to be a natural part of the narrative but is not always visible on screen. Although we cannot see the source of the ticking, the audience can assume due to the death trap she is participating in that this is part of the narrative and is therefore considered to be an example of Diegetic sound. The ticking can consequently represent the countdown to either her survival or her death, at this point the audience automatically assume that, because of the terrifying nature, that Amanda will not be able to escape alive. This creates senses of tension and suspense as the audience are now witnessing the possible last moments of Amanda's life and her fight for survival. This keeps them on edge as the consequence of life or death is uncertain and that the situation could go any way. It also causes the audience to fee; empathy towards both Amanda and her cellmate as they have been put in an impossible situation knowing that at least one of them will die at some point. The sense of danger is also highlighted due to the screaming and desperation heard within Amanda's cries and screams as she realises the timer is slowly ticking leading up to the crucial moment in which she will either live or die. This is conventional as the theme of danger is constantly demonstrated in thriller films and is effective with the addition of sound as it helps to engage the audience and build suspense.

Having researched different techniques of sound used within thriller films, I now fully understand how these techniques are used to create feelings of shock, suspense, surprise and tension to a dramatic effect. They can be used to create an idea of understanding within a particular scene and adds meaning to an image, an effect that would not be possible without the addition of sound. Sound helps the audience to connect with the characters within the scene by placing them in that specific character's mindset, which aids the audience in creating an emotional response. I have noticed that many thriller films create the largest amounts of tension through sound and cinematography combined together. From researching this certain film, I have identified that the different sound techniques are used mainly to mirror the mood of the scene and create feelings of tension and fear to intensify the overall tone of the scene. I will look at this in depth when creating my own thriller sequence when deciding on which sound techniques to feature.