Sound

Scream 4 - Sound analysis

In a thriller film, sound is one of the key tools used to create suspense and convey drama, as the different types of sound connote different things to the audience.
For example, dramatic non-diegetic sound may be used to enhance the drama and bloodshed during a fight scene, captivating the audience's attention and making the scene even more entertaining for the audience.

 Slower music which builds steadily may be used to show that the scene is leading up to an important event, which will involve a viscous attack. An example of this may be if an attacker slowly raises a knife behind the back of their victim, building the tension felt in the scene as the audience waits for the events to unfold.

During the scene where Kirby Reed is attacked, she is on the phone to the masked killer who torments her over the phone. This is a clever use of on screen sound, as we can clearly see where the sound is coming from, but still feel the fear inspired by this choice of sound as they have no idea where the attacker is, or when he will attack. The audience is taunted by the fact that he is talking to Kirby on the phone and is watching her every move. It is important for the director to create an enigma with in the storyline. In the case of the Scream films the enigma is the identity of the attacker, which is always kept hidden until the climax of the film. This ambiguity surrounding the attacker creates an even more intense feeling of fear for the audience, fully captivating their attention.

The enigma surrounding the attacker further enhances the chilling nature of the phone call that Kirby has received. It causes the audience to feel the building suspense within the scene, as she desperately tries to answer the questions of the attacker and save her friend. This is a clear example of how on screen sound can be used to create fear and tension as the audience sits and watches as the events unfold. 

The phone call is not the only sound used within this scene, as you can also detect non-diagetic sound, which begins as Kirby answers a question wrongly, putting the life of her friend at risk. The music is recognisable to the audience as the warning of an impending attack, and again builds the suspense for what is about to follow the phone call. Audience members will know that the scene cannot remain on this knife edge any more, before something will happen to one of the characters. It is similar to the conventional music used in other thriller films to create tension and suspense for similar types of scenes. The music is an easy way for the director to build a sense of foreboding for the rest of the scene to play out, hinting at a gory end to Kirby’s life.

As well as these two types of sound, the audience can clearly see Kirby’s friend struggling against the ropes which are holding him in place. This is another example of natural, on screen suound. The sounds of his attempted screams are muffled by the tape covering his mouth, yet they are clear for the audience to hear, clearly conveying his fear. This constant sound from his mouth builds a sense of urgency, as time is running out to make an attempt to escape with their lives.
Natural sound is often used to make the events of the film seem even more real to the audience, which makes the fear and anxiety felt become even more intense. The more realistic and lifelike the situation appears, the more tension can be felt by the audience as it is imagniable what it would be like to be in that situation yourself.
The sense of urgency is a common convention of a thriller film as the audience feels the anxiety building in anticipation of what is going to happen next. They will know that time is running out for the character, and through knowing what is conventional to a thriller film, they will realise that the scene will culminate in a violent demise for the character. 

Parallel sound is also used in this scene when Charlie attacks Kirby, stabbing her in the stomach. You can clearly hear the sounds of the attack, as the knife is pushed in and out of her stomach. These sounds fit into the scene as it is obvious where the sound is coming from. The sounds fit in with the images and help to shock the audience with the graphic action taking place in the scene, making them even more lifelike and realistic.

The audience may be left confused about the plot twist which is revealed in this scene further building the suspense for the climatic reveal about the identity of the attacker. 

Through the analysis of the use of sound in this scene, I learnt how powerful the use of sound can be on the whole scene, adding suspense and instigating fear within the audience. 
Without the impact sound has on a scene, someone talking on the phone about horror films may not be too scary for the audience, but with the non diagetic sound added on top of the camera work and editing, the audience can clearly see that something is about to happen, and the suspense is built.