Horror
After learning a little bit about different techniques I picked up some of the things I learned about in the Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode, “Hush”. The first thing I noticed was a Diegetic form of film that helped in the horror aspect. This was the part in the beginning of the episode with the girls voice coming from off the screen. Even though the voice was off the screen it was still a diegetic sound. It was had horror in it for me because it sounded far away, and the fact that the little girl was saying these weird things made it even creepier. If she had just be saying the things in a normal voice on screen the entire time it wouldn’t have had the same impact. Throughout most of the episode there was also a lot of non-diegetic sound. This included the background music that was playing for most of the episode as the actors were mostly silent. This music enhanced the images and added elements that were scary. Without the background mood sounds and music the pictures would have a much lessened effect. Finally something that I noticed that added to the overall horror in the show was part of the mis en scène. The thing that I noticed was the dark overlying overtones throughout the entire episode. There are lots of shadows, and darkness especially anytime something horrifying happens, and because of this is makes the mood for the show. The fact that shadows and dark lighting are used throughout are obviously used to create a creepier setting, and create some horror for the show.
I really like that you talked about the small things that added to the scare factor of the whole episode. The sound effects and the technique used by the actors really made the episode exemplify horror. I think the creepiest part of the episode is when the little girl is talking. The fact that you have this little girl in this dark and twisted setting and the way she is talking is very terrifying. I completely agree that without the music and added effects the episode would be completely different. The episode would not be scary and it would not creep out the audience what so ever. Aside from the music, the scenes were set to look scary. They were dark. If the scenes were light and bright, the whole episode would have a different effect. The episode is suppose to scare the audience and because of the elements of diegetic sound and non diegetic sound the episode accomplished horror.
I totally agree about the scene that you choose. When i first saw it, it scared as well. Because the sound is coming from nowhere, so i know something will happen there. When Buffy sees this girl, I thought that will be it, the girl is evil. But suddenly, a hand touches Buffy, it was so fast that i didn’t even react. They did a good job to bring our attention to the girl, and we totally forget something will come up behind Buffy. the suddenly shows up is a classic way to preform a horror video. because they can always make people screaming.
I really like how you pointed out that non-diegetic sound acted as a thematic element throughout the episode. In particular when you consider that the pleasure of horror is based on a rather continuous experience of horror and the contrast of the silent scenarios in the movie and the narratives. I think that your observations of the non-diegetic sound goes well with Carroll’s argument on how horror is mostly a narrative in horror genres. However, do you think that there would even be more of a dramatic effect if the non-diegetic sound does not appear at all? To say, the horror movies are highly authentic as if we are living in the scenes when watching? How would you associate spectatorship with the use of non-diegetic sound in horror movies?