Non-diegetic Sound Research
Following my research on the use of sound in film, I've decided to test out some Non-diegetic sounds/soundtracks for our own film opening. Typical non-diegetic sounds found in horror films are dependant on the subgenre the movie is portraying, for example,
The Woman In Black- Gothic Horror
-> Typical Non-Diegetic (ND) sounds include music boxes, xylophones etc.
Jaws- Nature and Animal Horror
-> ND Sounds include a full orchestra i.e the jaws soundtrack has a use of string sections, brass sections, percussion etc. for the full effect.
I've had some practice creating songs/soundtracks last year for GCSE Music, so it seemed easier than editing in stock sounds, as it's more effective.
Here are some examples of movie theme songs which play throughout the movie, and become easily iconic, as sometimes they can be identified by the movie theme song, even without seeing the movie. It is coupled with Diegetic Sound (DS) to create an effective diegesis, so that the movie being presented is believable to audiences.
The movies listed here are:
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Bernard Hermann was the composer for the main theme in Psycho. He wrote for a string orchestra, rather than a full symphonic ensemble, due to the low-budget of the film. This worked to his advantage, however. He thought that the single tone colour of the stringed instruments reflected the black and white cinematography.
The strings play con sordini (with a muting device placed on top of the strings) for all of the score except the shower scene, which creates a darker and more intense atmosphere.
-> ND Sounds include a full orchestra i.e the jaws soundtrack has a use of string sections, brass sections, percussion etc. for the full effect.
I've had some practice creating songs/soundtracks last year for GCSE Music, so it seemed easier than editing in stock sounds, as it's more effective.
Here are some examples of movie theme songs which play throughout the movie, and become easily iconic, as sometimes they can be identified by the movie theme song, even without seeing the movie. It is coupled with Diegetic Sound (DS) to create an effective diegesis, so that the movie being presented is believable to audiences.
The movies listed here are:
Dead Silence-2007
The score for Dead Silence was composed by Charlie Clouser. Closer has composed for many movies, some include the score for Saw (2004) and Resident Evil: Extinction.
Jaws-1975
The score for Jaws was composed by American composer, John Williams. This earned him an academy award and ranked 6th on the greatest scores by the American Film Institute.
The main "Shark" theme alternates between two notes, E and F, and F and F-Sharp. John Williams wanted to create a suspenseful mood, and the shark was meant to represent the shark being mindlessly aggressive.
The main "Shark" theme alternates between two notes, E and F, and F and F-Sharp. John Williams wanted to create a suspenseful mood, and the shark was meant to represent the shark being mindlessly aggressive.
Williams described the theme as "grinding away at you, just as a shark would do, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable."
The piece was performed by tuba player Tommy Johnson. When asked by Johnson why the melody was written in such a high register and not played by the more appropriate French horn, Williams responded that he wanted it to sound "a little more threatening"
The piece was performed by tuba player Tommy Johnson. When asked by Johnson why the melody was written in such a high register and not played by the more appropriate French horn, Williams responded that he wanted it to sound "a little more threatening"
The Exorcist- 1973
The most recognisable theme (Tubular Bells) from The Exorcist was composed by Mike Oldfield, which became very popular after it's release.
Other pieces within the score were composed by several other composers such as Lalo Schrifin, who had his working score rejected because it was too scary for audiences due to the combination of sounds and sights.
Other pieces within the score were composed by several other composers such as Lalo Schrifin, who had his working score rejected because it was too scary for audiences due to the combination of sounds and sights.
Psyco-1960
Bernard Hermann was the composer for the main theme in Psycho. He wrote for a string orchestra, rather than a full symphonic ensemble, due to the low-budget of the film. This worked to his advantage, however. He thought that the single tone colour of the stringed instruments reflected the black and white cinematography.The strings play con sordini (with a muting device placed on top of the strings) for all of the score except the shower scene, which creates a darker and more intense atmosphere.
Halloween-1978
The score for Halloween was composed by Director and Composer, John Carpenter.
The score lacks a symphonic soundtrack, but instead consists of a piano melody played in 10/8 time (or complex 5/4 time). Its simple and unsophisticated, yet it becomes one of the movies strongest aspects.
It took only 3 days for John Carpenter to compose the entire score for Halloween.
The score lacks a symphonic soundtrack, but instead consists of a piano melody played in 10/8 time (or complex 5/4 time). Its simple and unsophisticated, yet it becomes one of the movies strongest aspects.It took only 3 days for John Carpenter to compose the entire score for Halloween.
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