OBJECTIVES:
Help my readers understand why sound has such a large impact on scaring its viewers.
Demonstrate the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic sound.
Clip from When a Stranger Calls
REFLECTION
During Week Six, we learned the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic sound. According to “Why Horror?” by Noel Carroll, diegetic sound is sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film. It can either be on screen or off screen. On the other hand, non-diegetic sound is sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in action. I chose this clip from the film “When a Stranger Calls” because it’s a great representation of both sounds. At first, the scene is extremely scary because of non-diegetic sound. From seconds 32 to 40, the music is really eerie because the girls thinks there is someone behind the shower curtain. She suddenly pulls back the curtain, and the music gets louder than before, but no one is there. Then comes the diegetic sound, a cell phone ringing. When the girl sees her dead friend lying on the floor, she then screams. This is another example of a diegetic sound because the sound is coming from a visible on-screen source. What is it about sound that is so frightening in movies? In my opinion, sound is an extremely important part of a scary movie because it builds suspense. Even though there was no mass murderer behind the curtain, the music leads its audience to believe that there is. Then the cell phone rings, and you see a dead body. Talk about freaky!
The course objective that this artifact achieves is from Week Six: Analyze the unique aesthetic qualities of horror art. Sound is definitely one of the most aesthetic qualities of horror art. Sure the acting and costumes are of great importance as well. However, while Bane may look scary in “The Dark Knight Rises,” he’s ten times more frightening when he speaks. It brings a dramatic effect to the screen, it sets the mood and adds emotion to the film. Without sound, movies would be less suspenseful and less scary.