The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The film begins with
a non-diegetic male voice outlining the back-story directly to the audience in
a serious tone. It is this and the choice of language together which suggests
that the film is in fact based on a true story: an aspect used in horror films
in particular to create more fear. This fear is increased by the hidden
identity of the voice. Thrown straight into the plot, the audience are left
with a blank screen and the gruesome, chilling snapping, tearing and breaking
sounds of unknown items along with other inferred actions such as digging and
heavy breathing. The audio heard is inconclusive, encouraged further by the
lack of visual aids. Conventional subliminal
sounds of wind and creaking are heard throughout soon, layered by the
effects of a camera flash. This sound is in fact created by instruments such
as strings or a synthesizer in an
unnatural, mechanical way to keep the audience on edge. It is now that unclear
pictures of corpses are shown parallel to the camera sound. A sound bridge of a
faded in radio announcer (still non-diegetic) is used as the scene changes to a
distinct picture of dead bodies which are important to the announcer's speech.
Cymbals and other percussion are apparent in the background with other noises
such as traffic and weather but are stripped back and not in any particular
melody which reflects the uneasiness and indefinite happenings in the scene but
also the audience reactions.
Ghost Ship
20's seductive jazz
introduces the namesake ship beginning firstly as a soundtrack, becoming
diagetic when the female singer and band on-board are then shown in a
dance/ballroom scene. The music once again changes as it plays on the speakers
parallel to the scene continuing: shots of the crowd talking while cheerful,
indistinct chatter can be heard. Natural encouragement from the singer to dance
is a stark contrast to sudden tense strings heard as ominous sounds build-up
from a lever being pulled to wires snapping and lights exploding. The relaxed
genre of the film which the original music suggests is quickly deserted by the
grotesque sounds of a whipping wire slashing through bodies, blood dripping,
and dead weight falling to the floor. The scene ends with a little girl's
blood-curdling scream as the camera disappears beneath the bubbling ocean.
Natural Born Killers
Opening with a
montage of scenic views and wildlife in desert terrain, the non-diegetic music
from a folk rock genre fits well. Shots and on screen sound effects juxtapose
rattlesnakes and trains with flicking TV static and channel changes in a diner.
The music becomes less of a focus point as it fades during dialogue , with
layering being used during speech to create a psychological confusion with the
audience. Music is chosen on the jukebox
and the soundtrack becomes part of the scene changing eventually to a rock and
roll record indicating the time setting to the audience. A spluttering truck
arrives bringing actors into the scene as the vehicle breaks down at the diner
enticing the characters to their violent end. The record scratches as once
again the music changes to an upbeat guitar rock-track to which many barbaric
sounds add to the action: punches, kicks, smashes. These effects are
contrasting to the ecstatic, evil laughter of the attackers as they kill various
others and steal from the diner. Slow motion is used throughout the scene to
accentuate the brutality of the attacks. Cartoon noises and operatic music is
played at this point to make light of the situation and detach personal
feelings towards the characters to stop prejudging awaiting the rest of the
plot. The end of the scene finishes on this note also: romantic music with
fireworks as the couple embrace after their killing spree declaring their love.
School of Rock
As expected with the
title, the film starts with a rock track with the audience eventually being
invited into the music venue where it is
suggested the band is playing. The whole scene particularly the music and sound
creates a personal feel to the audience as if walking through to the concert:
getting hands stamped and drinks being served etc. The heavy bass can be heard
throughout which gives the sense of the vibrations you'd feel at a concert. The
band's sound eventually becomes clearer and the singing less muffled when
the double doors open to reveal the title right as the chorus picks up
creating a large build-up to the climax. This is relatable in this music genre
so reflects the plot of the film. As the camera gets closer to the crowd,
feedback can be heard as character asks for speakers to be louder. The sounds
increases as the camera zooms into the characters face right as he hits a high
note to create maximum impact. Lots of bad crowd reactions can be heard of the
music suggesting their opinions are overtaking the concert and it's not going
too well. This point is reiterated as the guitarist stage dives and falls on
people smashing glasses and causing the concert to stop abruptly causing a
shock reaction leaving his fate in the band a mystery as the only sounds are
just murmurs from the crowd.
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