Original Discussion Post:
In the Video Buffy The Vampire Slayer we see the uses of Digetic Sound, Non-Digetic sound, and Mise-en-scene through out the episode. The beginning of the episode starts with Buffy daydream an interesting affects when she dreams of kissing a man. This was a good example of Mis-en-scene because the whole scenario of a classroom completely changes. The lighting in the classroom become darker and the classroom become completely empty. The entire set of the episode begins to change from a classroom to some sort of church looking place with a statue in the background. Lastly when the man touches Buffy’s shoulder his costume changes into a vampire. The costume change definitely contributed to the aesthetic of horror because it came out of no wear.
We see the use of Digetic Sound near the same scene of the Mise-en-scene when Buffy hear the sound of some sort of instrument that is playing down the hall. This shows that music is represented as coming from instruments in the story space. We later find out a little girl voice sing some sort of scary song. This is where the sound presented as originated from source. Also the sound of the girl started off screen and later on became on the screen. This was not as scary as the Mise-en-scene because the girl seemed to be harmless though she did say some pretty disturbing things.
Lastly we see the use of non-diegetic sound when the characters are sleeping and there are sounds coming out of the people’s mouths. When the little box become open we hear voices whispering coming from people who are sleeping. This is an example of non-diegetic because the sound isn’t visible and it is coming from the outside story space. This does add some sort of aesthetic of horror because the voices aren’t coming from anywhere.
Reflection:
The purpose of this assignment was to explore the psychological and emotional curiosity for and impact of horror art on individuals and society, analyze the unique aesthetic qualities of horror art, an understand and utilize some basic principles of film and television analysis. After learning the terms mise-en-scene, diagetic sound, and non-diagetic sound I noticed that sounds and images play a big role in make suspense in a horror film. The purpose of adding these traits in to a film is what keep people so attracted and intrigued.
I typically love horror movies because it always keeps me on the edge of my seat when I’m watching. It is very hard to explain how ” the pain of suspense and the irresistible desire of satisfying our curiosity, when once raised, will account for our eagerness to go quite through an adventure” (Carroll pg 278). I found the episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to me very useful and accurate in the description of the three terms. In the very first scene of the Buffy episode, one can argue that they were able to include are the aesthetics of horror into the first 5 minutes.
Future:
In the future, When I watch any horror film I will now constantly notice the art of using mise-en-scene, diagetic sound, and non-diagetic sound. When these qualities are brought up in a film I will be sure be on the edge of my seat because I will know that something crazy is a bout to happen.
Bibliography:
For me your comment that the little girl who was singing seemed harmless even though the song lyrics were disturbing, had me thinking how her appearance of harmless-ness actually added to her scare factor. I think the idea that she is an unsuspecting, sweet looking child makes the song even more disturbing because it questions, in a small way, the preconceived notion (at least mine) that she is a child so she must be harmless, but that may be the scary part, which is that this presents the possibility that she breaks that notion.
-Michelle