The Importance Of Sound In Horror

Sound is so important when it comes to films and especially when is comes to the horror thriller genre. 

There are two main types of sound in the production of visual media, that is Diegetic sound and Non sound here are the definitions diegetic;

Diegetic sound - is sound where the source of it is visible on screen or is being implied that the sound is happening in the action for example diegetic sound could be the dialogue from the actors and actresses or music within  the frame. Diegetic sound can come form on or off screen as long as the original source is within or out of the frame. it can also be called actual sound. 

Non-diegtic - is sound where the source is not visible and hasn't been implied through the action on screen. For example this can be sound effects that emphasis the drama on screen or it can be a voice over/ music. 

 

Sound is an extremely important factor when it comes to both my preliminary and final film as sound is one of the factors what makes some great films great, for instance in an Action film they may have various types of diegetic sound such as gun shots and the booming sound from sports car engines this is diegetic because it fits in with what is happening in the frame however has been enhanced and placed over the top of the film to emphasis the drama.

 

Sound in the horror genre is very important as it is frequently used whether it is to emphasis the closing of a door or a rumbling sound to create tension. Sound can help an audience reach a climax then a visual image may appear on screen to make an audience jump yet without the sound building tension this would may not be possible.

 

Through researching and personal experience one of my favourite uses of sound in horror is in the Paranormal Activity franchise. I think this is an excellent example of how sound is used to create tension and build up a climax, through the use of a long slow rumbling bass sound which starts off quietly slowly getting louder this unnerves the audience at first until the peak of action happens and the sound is cut until another night and the rumbling starts to begin. The audience then starts to associate that sound with bad things and when the sound starts to begin they feel unnerved and know something bad is going to happen each time.

Above is a clip form the first film where a night scecene is shown as you can hear there is a deep sounding bass in the background creating tension it also emphasises the loud bangs.
Sound have been acociated with horror since the birth of the genre, most horror films follow the typcial codes and conventions of horror ie when they is a murder scene there may be harsh fast and loud music fo example the shower scene for Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho or it maybe a possesed child where the sound of a nursary rhyme is being played in the background.