Key Elements of Film Form

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 Tuesday, 15th September 2020

Key Elements of Film Form 


Sound

Meaning and Response


For each film clip please consider

1) Type of sound used

2) Unravel - meanings

3) Link and connect to spectator response


‘Psycho’ (1960) Shower scene. Genre - Psychological Thriller

Before the shower moment there was quiet sombre piano music so we have no idea about what’s to come. Non-diegetic piano music.

There wasn’t any speech or sound really at the beginning. There was the sound of ripping up paper, then she got in the shower. When the woman started screaming, there was sharp, shrieking violin sounds (Genre influenced) which influences a very strong emotional reaction from the spectators.

There was an absence of sound other than the diegetic sound of the shower.

The high notes of the violin matches and almost mimics the screaming. This could reflect the pain and fear. The violin compounds the horror.

They use a voice over for her screams so they could increase the volume and generate a stronger reaction.


‘La Haine' intro, (1995)

The music (burning and looting by Bob Marley) is parallel as the soundtrack/lyrics match the visuals/event

Yet also contrapuntal as the music (not the lyrics) seems to be pretty upbeat, so it might work in establishing the internet conflict and tension in the narrative

The tone of the non-diegetic voice over. Sounded very monotone - suggested people were only living pay check to pay check “so far so good” repeated. He then mentions it doesn’t matter how you fall its about how you land, which is sort of unpredictable so these people don’t know how they’re going to end up.

Sepia tone


‘Trainspotting’ Danny Boyle opening, (1996)

The use of voice over/narrator by the so called ‘bad guy’ illicit our support even though he’s bad

Non-diegetic music and voice over are parallel. Music is Iggy pop so it matches the ‘angsty’ adrenalin pace or the scene

The narrative/Voice over is the sort of driving force

Situation the use of sound gives context of the opening sequence

(Same movie) Renton quits heroin scene

Soundtrack - Carmen by Bizet - Grandeur/Dramatic and the larger of life/opera

Classical music in the background is sort of contrapuntal as he’s describing how he’s going to quit heroin (whilst describing some nasty things such as what each bucket if for) but it's in a playful way.

Its a voice over/commentary instead of a ‘real time’  on how to come off heroin


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