Sound Planning

 Sound Planning

    The sound whether it be through music or other sound effects can tell more about the story than the words themselves.  It is interesting how a song playing can let the audience in on what is happening or yet to come in films of all types.  Particularly in Thriller/Suspense films, the sound and music can foreshadow the events building up or reflecting back before the dialogue starts.  

YouTube Video: Countdown-Official Trailer by STX Films

    I watched the film Countdown and studied the use of the sound effects and/or music to further drive the plot into the audience to keep them on the edge of their seat throughout the entire movie.  This trailer is a good representation to grab the audience in the preview alone.  I am looking to incorporate more of the sounds and music to support the dialogue to further enhance the gut feelings of my audience and keep them wanting more.  

    The Countdown uses the sounds and music throughout the film to help tell the story:

• There is a ring or chime each time a new countdown begins.  It intensifies more greatly when the main character shows her countdown as her time is coming closer than the others.
• The house bathroom scene where there is glass breaking, the ringer is going off, the music keeps building with the intense picture to signify that something terrible is about to happen.
• The hospital bathroom scene uses the clock ticking as the time approaches for his death.
• In the phone store, there is an intense scene until she switches her phone and no longer has the app on the new phone and there is a sense of relief amongst the audience.  But as she approaches the door to leave the notification pops up  and  the intensifying music begins again and the audience is again pushed to the edge of their seat.

    As I begin planning my film, I am looking to incorporate some of these techniques of sounds and music to grab the attention of the audience and build an emotional roller coaster as I take them through the storyline.  Building sounds and music into my film to pair with the feelings of the characters will definitely take the story to the next level and the audience will keep seeking more.