Coursework Research:Sound

Sounds is everything that we can hear in a film, so the soundtrack, dialogue any background noise like car engines or birds singing; if we can hear it, its the sound. Different types of sound can be used to different effects; dialogue to reveal more about characters and plot; sound effects to add emphasis to a certain action of aspect of the mis-en-scene; music to heighten the atmosphere etc.

There are two different types of sound in film, the first being Diegetic, which refers to all the sounds that we would here if we were there in person, like the conversations between characters or background noise like car engines or a door slamming. The second is Non-diegetic, which refers to all the elements of sound that the film maker has added in, like the soundtrack or sound effects. 

What are the conventions of music in film openings in the following genres?

Comedy: Sound is important within this genre as the diegetic sound, like dialogue, enables the audience to hear the jokes and lines of the script that are intended to makie them laugh; thus must be very clear and well presented. Non-diegetic sound can also have a large impact within comdedy, as sound effects can add emphasis to certain aspects that may induce laughter, such as studio laughter as it makes the audience aware that they too should be finding it funny. The element of suprise in sound can be used to create laughter, espcially in slapstick. The music played in comedies is usually very upbeat and happy, which can then uplift the audience so they are more likely to find the film funny. 

STEPBROTHERS:  Within this opening the music is very upbeat which creates a less serious tone, setting up the rest of the film as the audience is made aware of the lighter mood of the film. 

Horror:
Sound within horror films usually varies in pace; it typically starts off with slow and relatively quiet music that builds up in volume and pace when the action is about to occur. The effect this has is that it makes the audience very jumpy, especially if the same music is played every time as it makes them aware something bad is going to happen and builds up suspense. Equally, sharp and sudden noises can be used to shock and scare the audience. It is stereotypically classical instruments like violins that are used within horror, as they can supply a powerful yet eerie sound. 

Insidious: The titles of this film demonstrate the typical sounds of a horror; it contains the typical classical instruments that start of slowly and then build up until they finally end in screeching, causing suspense and fear in the audience from the very beginning of the film.

Action:
Music within action films will typically be loud and upbeat, to reinforce to the audience something exciting is happening as well as creating tension in some places. Fast paced music can literally increase your heart rate, some studies claim, so it literally engages the audience and makes them feel more of a sense of thrill that is crucial to the action genre.  

A TEAM: The A Team provides a perfect example of music within action films, it starts off with short static drum beats which then develop into a more fluent but loud song which engages the audience. This is then repeated throughout the rest of the film after the opening, letting the audience know when the action is about the happen. 

Drama:
As drama is quite a broad genre, the conventions of sound within it can vary. However, generally all the music provokes emotion within the audience as that is the main aim of drama films. This tends to be more melancholic/sad music as this is the most likely to tug at an audience's heart strings. But within the sub-genres, like romance or teen, this can change as for example the music in a teen-drama is more likely to be contemporary and upbeat in comparison to that of a romantic-drama. 

If I Stay: The prologue to this film reflects the slow, more emotional music that is used in drama films. It sets the film up well as it is placed under a narration, and adds emphasis to the emotion within the dialogue used; again heightening the audience's emotions. 

Romance: Sound is used within romance films to help set the mood/atmosphere. This means that it is usually in the background of two characters during dialogue or an emotional scene to add emphasis to these feelings rather than loud and over the top, as you might expect in an action film. The music is usually piano, guitar or violin and all these instruments can produce clear and moving music without needing to be played particularly loudly. However there are a lot of sub-genres in romance, and this can alter the sound used. For example the music in a rom-com is far more likely to be upbeat and happy compared to that of a romantic drama. 

Titanic: The Titanic is a typical example of music in a romance film, it is slow and quiet, thus is not too over powering but still has enough of an impact to provoke emotion within the audience. It also sets the audience up with the expectation that the rest of the film will probably contain emotional moments as well.