Use of sound

Task 1:
Spectre – The music develops within the scene to heighten tension of the fight. The music
makes this scene a significant moment and draws our attention to the sounds. Music here
seems to develop, getting louder and more violent until it stops, as the characters have
allegedly won the fight. The initial jazz/ classical music allows the audience to believe that
the moment is calm and perhaps romantic – because of this, the contrast between the
beginning and the fight is larger and almost shocks us as it was unexpected. This contrast
hits and overwhelms us as we are suddenly bombarded with sound, having a significant
impact. The music builds up during the scene, giving us an insight into the climax of the
scene.

No Country For Old Men – The music and sound is limited within the scene. This allows
the audience to fear the incoming, with the tension increasing through the initial
nothingness of the scene. The silence also allows the scene to draw us in, leaving us
wondering what the silence is for and why. This creates an overall continuous tense
atmosphere and the fear of waiting from the audience. The lack of music also allows us to
perhaps join the scene and feel involved. It can also help us feel anxious for the man of what
is about to happen to him or us.

Task 2:
The importance of music within productions:
Music is an essential element within any production, having the power to enhance the
overall experience and evoke emotions in the audience. Music plays a vital role within
productions, creating the desired atmosphere and allowing deeper connections with the
target audiences. Music helps to establish the tone of a scene or an entire production. For
example, a suspenseful scene in a thriller might have intense, fast- paced music, whereas a
heart-warming scene in a romance might have soft, melodic, perhaps classical music. The
fitting music for a scene can create a well-structured, immersive production whilst
amplifying the targeted emotions. Music can also serve as a storytelling experience,
conveying emotion or tension, emphasising important moments and providing an insight
into a specific character’s mind.

Task 3:
Films where music create an effect:
Beautiful Boy: Trailer
Beautiful boy is a heart-wrenching film around the effects and reality of drug-use. The
overall film is mostly silent music-wise, with only talking and faint background noises,
however, some music is used to heighten a moment of tension and emotion for the
audience within a scene. This common lack of music creates a feeling of emptiness and
isolation, therefore reflecting what the boy is also feeling. This overall quiet film especially
draws our attention when music is played as it creates a bigger and more heart-wrenching
contrast. Songs with dialogue are often played within the childhood flashbacks scenes and
moments of potential recovery for the boy, whereas instrumental music is often played
during scenes of panic and misuse. With a recurring theme of silence, music is used perhaps
as a symbolism of the end, whether it’s foreshadowing the end of the boy’s life (how he was
going to turn out) or the success of the end. Music and sound also plays within moments of
action, almost subtly presenting to the audience how close to death the boy is. These
continuous themes could represent a foreshadowing of the lack of ending, constantly
leaving us with suspense.

Jurassic Park: Trailer

Jurassic Park is a story of an island where humans create new life of dinosaurs from
historical DNA, dragging us through the problems of this. The music in Jurassic Park plays a
crucial role in creating a sense of wonder, thrill and suspense. It enhances the visual
storytelling, elevates emotion and adds depth to the scenes. The music brings life to the
dinosaurs and overall production, creating a cyclical and repeating feeling of dread. Whilst
doing this, the music also highlights the majestic nature of the roaming beasts amongst the
humans, perhaps proving that the dinosaurs hold more power and control over the humans.
These realistic dynamics add an extra layer of excitement in the film, constantly fearing and
creating sympathy for those in danger. The music often intensifies during thrilling moments,
producing a sense of awe and wonder which enhances the overall production.

Mamma Mia: Trailer

Soundtrack

Titanic: Trailer
Soundtrack