Sound Analysis

Analyse a clip from the Descent.


1) Watch the clip without the sound, what effect do the images have on you? How does it make you feel?
The scene is set in a very dark and wet cave probably underground and so there is a very frightening and tense atmosphere. Suspense is built throughout the scene as the characters are only partially lit and are surrounded by darkness so we wonder what is round them and what could be hidden in the darkness.


2) Now watch the clip with the sound. What is the difference in the impact the images now have? how does the sound add to atmosphere and feelings?
The sound is as would be expected and has the constant sound of diegetic rain or running water. There is also lots of dialogue where the characters are clearly scared and distressed. As tension grows throughout the scene non-diegetic sound is used to make it clear something is going to happen and to build suspense. When finally something jumps out there is a loud noise and the characters scream and splash in the water and so more diegtic sound effects are used.

3) How has this task affected your view of the importance of sound? What type of feeling will you try and encourage you audience to have through your sound?
After watching this clip it is clear to me that sound effects can make it more obvious what genre a film may fall in. The use of sound is also very important in creating suspense and tension. When adding sound to our film we will try and use these techniques to build suspense in the appropriate places and to make it more realistic.