Sound in Horror Films

Sound in Psycho

Something which I must consider is the use of sound in my film. Whether it is non-diegetic or diegetic. The music present in the film opening can be found here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tek8QmKRODw&feature=related

Soundtrack

The score for psycho was written by Bernard Herrmann. It is wildly excepted that most of the drama, tension, horror and fear within the film is created by the music within it, with Hitchcock commenting “33% of the effect of psycho was due to the music”, demonstrating the importance of sound in film.

However, the budget for music was relatively low. Causing Bernard Herrmann used to use a string orchestra, instead of a full symphonic ensemble. When analysed, the string instruments provide the score with a larger range of tone, special effects and dynamics than any other instrument could have. Although a string orchestra would be impossible incorporate with our limited budget, string music scores are available to download and it is a possibility we could integrate this into our film opening.
The music heard in the opening titles is undoubtedly a stressed, aggressive and vicious piece. The piece positions the atmosphere of imminent brutality, which reappears 3 times throughout the film. Although the initial opening scenes are relatively quiet, and do not contain the graphic violence later scene the music is firmly positioned in the audiences minds, creating an overwhelmingly dark atmosphere from the beginning of the film. The music is definitely a matter we should consider in our opening, whether they contain violence or not, the music can exemplify the character of the complete film and constructs the meaning and mood the director wishes to convey.

It is widely believed that Herrmann edited the bird screeches, amplifying them to increase the terror of the audio in the shower scene, despite the fact the shower scene was originally meant to be silent. Although the violin instrument purely achieved the effect. The only form of amplification was the use of microphones being located next to instruments, making them appear louder. However, with our editors amplification can be incorporated through audio editing, along with various other effects such as echo. This is something I will integrate into the film’s opening soundtrack.


Other classic horror Music

Orchestral music is a conventional feature of horror films, these conventions however have been challenged through asynchronous sounds for comical and shocking effect. However, the vibrant variety and continual possibilities of orchestral allows a composer to diversify music to certain events. Moreover it can easily convey emotion and is easily recognized by audiences.

Modern and Alternative Soundtracks

As mentioned however, horror movies continue to challenge the conventions of stereotypical orchestral soundtracks in horror films. The “Blair Witch 2” integrates a modern, alternative and industrial style synthesised soundtrack. The darkness and mystery generated by this genre of music can work brilliantly, creating more eerie feels to the horror film. Asynchronous music as mentioned can also be integrates; “American Psycho” incorporates 1980s style rock and pop, rather than producing a horrific feel, it creates a more disturbing and disconnecting emotion with the audience, which produces and audience feel for the criminal’s mindset. Asynchronous and synchronous are both features of horror films, however synchronous is considered a convention of horror, and in order to produce an eerie narrative and tone to the film opening, I believe synchronous music should be incorporated into our film opening.

Musical Cues

A musical cue is a lengthy string or horn build up to a moment of extreme action or violence. This cue is one of the many audio conventions of horror, the audience are told about the looming violence through the cue, creating tension and increasing audience response to the break into action. However musical cues are diverse and can proclaim different types of future violence.

The Auditory Symbol

A majority of films within the horror genre integrate a certain extract of sound which acts a sign of a negative occurrence or is associated with a particular criminal. It is useful essentially because the director can introduce the audience to criminal or the negative character through sound and without visual representation, which can assist in the construction of tension with scenes. Moreover it can create cohesion, and allow the audience to associate certain sounds with certain events throughout the film. Halloween and Friday the 13th both integrate auditory symbols. Friday the 13th uses eerie music whenever the main criminal targets a victim, allowing the process of tension build up. Similarly Halloween incorporates a song for similar effect, although it is a simple, yet horrifying piano melody. Jaws and Nightmare on Elm Street are further examples of auditory symbols. The Jaws auditory symbol is famed, and is now associated with sharks in the real world, demonstrating the impact of auditory symbols. Although our film opening is short, I believe this horror film convention would be somewhat useful in establishing cohesion and creating tension in the opening.

Sound Editing and effects

Sound effects are usually associated with particular events in the film to amplify and intensify certain sounds and their effect. Exaggeration is one way of producing this effect, screams maybe be heightened in pitch for example to create a more eerie and shocking effect.