https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1giVzxyoclE
The first obvious sounds in this film clip from seven is the diegetic sound of the low rumble of the helicopter propellers and the sound of the flick knife blade, and then the cutting of the box. This would emphasise the fact someone is about to be harmed or killed, making the audience on edge and alert of the danger thats about to happen. There’s also the use of ambient sound, such as the birds tweeting in the background, which juxtaposes the dark story of the film, this juxtaposition would make the audience confused at the change in mood and therefore create more tension as they would be waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Furthermore, the light-hearted sound of the birds tweeting in such a dark, depressing setting is extremely sinister and confusing. When the opening of the box happens, there’s a dramatic change of pitch and rhythm when the character played by Morgan Freeman realises the box contains something horrifically unexpected…the head of his accomplices pregnant wife. The background noise is non-diegetic, consisting of a single underlying high pitched, eerie note. High pitched notes usually trigger a instant, alert reaction and creates a heightened sense of the event, in this case; a heightened sense of tension.
The foreground noise is a repetitive thudding chord, with an increasing tempo and volume.The use of this uncomfortable sound increases the suspense and tension for the audience, keeping them hooked on the events unfolding, and causing them to feel anxious. This foreshadows the climax, and is used to tell the audience how to feel, by building up to the overwhelming end of the film. The audience may respond to the soundscape with uncertainty, not knowing what is going to happen next due to the unpredictable sounds – i.e cutting to the loud sound of the helicopter propellers, back to the dialogue, as well as the use of the low yet prominent thudding contrasting with the high pitched note in the background. The use of sound conforms to the conventions of a thriller film, because it successfully builds up dramatic tension and uncertainty. The sinister sounds, reflect the menacing serial killer and the dark events which unfold. Throughout the scene, there’s a limited use of editing techniques, for example it doesn’t include sound bridging, because the sounds jump along with the cuts of the scene. However, there’s a clear use of overlaying of sound with the contrasting deep thudding and high pitched tone. Synchronous sounds are used, for example when the character played by Morgan Freeman is showed using the flick knife, there is the clear sound of this as well as when he opens the box. This is used to exaggerate this dramatic climax, and to have the audiences’ full attention on what is happening in the scene.
The foreground noise is a repetitive thudding chord, with an increasing tempo and volume.The use of this uncomfortable sound increases the suspense and tension for the audience, keeping them hooked on the events unfolding, and causing them to feel anxious. This foreshadows the climax, and is used to tell the audience how to feel, by building up to the overwhelming end of the film. The audience may respond to the soundscape with uncertainty, not knowing what is going to happen next due to the unpredictable sounds – i.e cutting to the loud sound of the helicopter propellers, back to the dialogue, as well as the use of the low yet prominent thudding contrasting with the high pitched note in the background. The use of sound conforms to the conventions of a thriller film, because it successfully builds up dramatic tension and uncertainty. The sinister sounds, reflect the menacing serial killer and the dark events which unfold. Throughout the scene, there’s a limited use of editing techniques, for example it doesn’t include sound bridging, because the sounds jump along with the cuts of the scene. However, there’s a clear use of overlaying of sound with the contrasting deep thudding and high pitched tone. Synchronous sounds are used, for example when the character played by Morgan Freeman is showed using the flick knife, there is the clear sound of this as well as when he opens the box. This is used to exaggerate this dramatic climax, and to have the audiences’ full attention on what is happening in the scene.
Good clip to choose and some detailed comments. You just need to explore how the audience's emotions are manipulated through the soundtrack.
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