Impact of Sound Upon a Films Thematic Premise

When exploring the significance of sound upon a film's thematic concept, one must identify the fundamental components of the individual film score and its relationship to the development of the plot. Sound has been a dominant feature of the audience's cinematic experience from early in the art form's history. Initially existing as a simple piano score that was used to assist in the realisation of certain on-screen emotions, the use of sound has been greatly developed and is now considered as "one of the richest sources of meaning in film art." (Giannetti, 2002) This is evident through the incorporation and combination of sound elements such as music, dialogue, sound effects and silence that relate directly to the emotions presented visually. This paper will attempt to analyse the above elements, focusing on two key films, Fincher's Se7en and Hitchcock's Psycho. Both a general sound description and an in-depth of analysis of selected sequences will be included whilst considering their significance and impact upon the films thematic development. However, in order to appreciate how sound can influence the development of a film's theme, a clear understanding of what film sound ‘is' needs to be established.

When one begins to analyse film sound, two terms must be understood; digetic sound and non-digetic sound. These terms relate to the source of the sound. For example, digetic sound refers to the sound that exists within the world of the film (if a character knocks over a glass of water, the sound the glass makes as it smashes on the floor exists in the world of the film and is therefore, digetic). Alternatively, sounds such as the musical score, which are played over the top of the action to highlight a particular sequence are non-digetic (the descending musical motif that accompanies the glass falling through the air does not exist in the world of the film and is therefore, non-digetic.) (Choin, 1994)Furthermore, all sound present on the sound track, whether it... [continues]

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