How Sound is Used in Different Films in Different Contexts

How Sound is Used in Different Films in Different Contexts

1.   The Wolf of Wall Street – Party Scene

During The Wolf of Wall Street, throughout the entire film, the narrator is the main protagonist, Jorden Belford. Martin Scorsese used voice over throughout the film, but a particular scene in which it is used to great advantage is the ‘party scene’ where they are all taking drugs. ‘It’s like they’re working their magic on Donny right now’ was said, as he was talking of the pills they were taking. The whole scene is slowed down and almost entirely in slow motion, this gives a lot of time to hear exactly what is going through the mind of the protagonist and his opinions. He then goes onto talking about women’s shoes and explaining why this somewhat incoherent speech about shoes from his side man makes sense. Overall, the use of voice over just gives a whole lot of context to the chaos that is happening and makes it seem that, to our protagonist at least, it isn’t as chaotic as it may visually represent.

2.   Joker – Bathroom Dance

There is a particular scene within the Todd Phillips film, Joker, whereby our protagonist, after killing three men, dances in a public bathroom. The ambient noise for this scene is completely removed and we can only see our protagonist dancing, presumably to calm himself, as we have seen at other points during this film. The haunting score from Hildur Guðnadóttir, emphasises the large movements we have seen from the character. It is in minor key mainly, showing its underlying sad and depressing tone, making the audience more inclined to empathise for the character as he attempts to soothe himself. In this scene, as said previously, there is no ambient sound, which highlights how ‘in the moment’ our protagonist. He has distanced himself from reality to the point that we cannot, as an audience, hear any of the ‘real’ noises that may otherwise be heard if you were to witness this moment in reality rather than in film. By seeing it in this way, we are enveloped into the psychological ways of the character and his behaviour. Dancing is his coping mechanism, and to be fully involved he must be able to shut out whatever interferences there may be. Including his very own footsteps, noise from outside and the flickering light above him.

3.   A Quiet Place – Beau’s Death

Of course, this is a very emotional part of the film, nevertheless there is clear attention to the smallest of details, due to the tension of this film. At the start of the scene, you can hear every small footstep from the characters, which immediately draws attention to the sheer importance of sound and how dangerous it is during this film. By concentrating on the crunch of leaves and the footfall of the family as they trek through the forest, there is detail within every movement, making it clear that there is danger in every small sound. This is why a lot of behind the scenes special attention to the sound effects during A Quiet Place was so important.
   This scene shifts, however, to a completely silent image of the character, Millie, as she too makes her way along the walk with a smile on her face. The difference is, however, that it is completely silent from her perspective as she watches the scene of her brother’s death unfold, highlighting the importance that she has in his life, and him in hers. When realisation hits that there is noise around, it is still silent to her, showing that she is completely immersed within her own thoughts and ideas, rather than the whole situation that the family are facing.
  The soundtrack follows after the sound effects of her brother’s toy play loudly, for all of the audience to hear, and be fearful of. There is a cut back to the silent frames of Millie, just before a quick tempo scene of the father running towards his son, Beau, before his inevitable demise.

4.   Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Sirius Dies and the Death Eater Duel

This scene begins highly dramatic, with sound effects of glass smashing and each of the members of the Order of the Phoenix apparating to help Dumbledore’s army. There is great detail when Lucius draws his wand and the constant appearance of spell casting. A fast tempo soundtrack accompanies this to match the intensity of the action that is bestowed upon us, as an audience. This shifts, however, when there is a duel between Harry Potter’s godfather, Sirius and a death eater, Lucius. There is no soundtrack accompaniament, just the sound effect of one spell being cast after another. Then, when the battle seems to be won, Bellatrix Lestrange appears and casts the killing curse upon Sirius, which is when the entire tone becomes less action based and much more emotional. Sirius dies, then the music soundtrack slowly creeps its way in. It is the main source of emotion. You see images of Harry screaming, while only a slight whimper is heard to begin with. You can see that Remus Lupin is attempting to comfort Harry, while he is in severe distress. The music is slow tempo and in a minor key, highlighting its depressing nature. It shows just how much Sirius meant to Harry without the need to hear his screams of distress. There is a final moment where a small giggle from Bellatrix, which is given particular attention, because it shows how pleased she is with her actions. This prompts Harry to persue her as she flees. The music dies down, and quickly the emotion evolves from despair and upset to anger, in which Harry attempts to harm Bellatrix, in an attempt to avenge the life of the last family member he had. This would most likely make the audience empathise for Harry.

5.   Stardust – The Final Battle Between Tristan and Lamia

There is a clear degree of intensity from the soundtrack used during the scene at the end of the film Stardust, where a battle plays out between our main protagonist, Tristan and the main antagonist, the witch, Lamia. While the battle also has many sound effects, like the brandashing of swords and smashing of glass and pots, it is this accompanied by the high intensity, fast soundtrack that includes many different instruments. The use of a variety of instruments at such a climatic scene, shows the chaos that we are witness to, and makes the audience empathise for our protagonist and also makes us fear for him, as he is in direct threat and danger. The soundtrack helps with these conotations as it is quick paced and slows down at the right moments, while it increases in tempo when there is fear to be created amongst the audience. It also ends with one, low chord, as if to suggest that the torment for our protagonist is over.