This blog will be about audio and the 5 essential sounds which are diegetic, non-diegetic, ADR, Foley sound and negative space sound. Alongside these elements I will also show my research on the codes and conventions associated with horror audio which includes style, volume, music and sound effects.
Diegetic
Diegetic audio is every audio experienced by the character/s whilst taking the shots and so this means that diegetic audio is not made after a scene was taken but diegetic audio may be slightly modified after the scene is taken in order for the audio to sound as good as possible. An example is the video below with a scene from "The Shining" movie where at the highlighted part that the video starts at as the sound of the door being hit is experienced by the characters.
Non-Diegetic
Non-Diegetic audio means any audio that the characters cannot experience but the audience can which are usually music and sound effects and in most cases even audio that the audience thinks that can be heard by the characters is often just non-diegetic and the actors are just acting like they experience a certain audio. An example of non-diegetic audio is the video below of a scene from the "Chucky" movie from 1990 where only the audience can hear the music and sounds that it starts of with in order to build tension up for the audience.
ADR(Automated Dialogue Replacement)
ADR which is also known as automated dialogue replacement is re-recording dialogue after the scene or movie has been filmed and so it is used quite often in movies as in some scenes it is easier to use ADR in post production than retake a scene which may cost a lot or may certain right elements in order to be the desired scene. Reasons to use ADR may be due to unclear audio, too much background noise, technical difficulties and others. ADR is really useful as when doing it will make the actors voices more clearer and understandable and as well as that if the actors lip-sync correctly they may add different words than the words used in the initial scene/s. ADR is also often used to make dubbed version as there could be a movie, series or cartoon than is originally made in the English language for example and so with the use of ADR with good lip-sync it can be made to seem as the entire thing is spoken in an entirely different language. An example of ADR is in the video down below which shows the before and after use of ADR to improve audio.
Foley Sound
Foley sound is how some non-diegetic sounds are made by using different equipment and using them to create the sound effect of something in a scene like crackling, stepping on snow, creaking and many others and so these are made in order to enhance the auditory experience of scenes due to sound that were not captured or not captured completely or may even be used to cover unwanted sound captured in the scenes. An example of Foley sound being used is in the movie scene down below at the highlighted sequence that the video will start at once you click on play and so the sound that you hear of the mud monster biting it's thumb is created post production and an example of how that sound could of been made is biting a carrot as it may make that cracking sound.
Negative Space
Negative space is the intentional gasps or pause in sound which builds up tension to the audience as they may find that it is too quiet and so they might expect and get a jump scare or it might be used to get the audience to a point where they are paranoid alongside the characters of the movie or series as it gets them into the movie and feels like they are experiencing it in a way. An example is the first few seconds of the video down below.
Codes and Conventions
First of all before including the codes and conventions list I will explain why style, volume, music and sound effects are important towards making a successful horror movie. For a good horror movie you need to choose the style which is what the movie is based around and the setting in order to get the audience into how the scenery is set in regards to when it is set, where it is set and why it is set like that and that is why when you see a good horror movie you get attracted to it. Volume is a major thing in horror movies as it needs to have all the audio perfectly matched for each scene to know when it needs to be quiet when there needs to be high pitched and low pitched noises and so on. The music links with the volume as in tense moments a loud fast paced music is often put on to get the audience into the scene and get them to a point that they feel panicked and anxious as you aren't aware of your surrounding like the character/s may be but also music may be used quietly up until the tension builds which also gives anxious sentiments to the audience as they don't know what to expect and when to expect it. Sound effects are play a key role in horror movies as they are the scary sounds that you hear like creaking, worms crawling, bashing, and many others.
Now the codes and conventions are what you expect of something so the codes and conventions of horror movies are :
Language: screaming/begging, explanation of the threat, religious and superstitious use of language,
Visual: Dark theme, moving in the background, red liquid that is used to link to blood, contrasts between darkness and light, flashing lights, jump scares, animals(possibly dead) and insects for a horror disgusting purpose
Audio: Diegetic and non-diegetic
Technical: CGI, lighting effects, certain camera angles like Dutch angle, breaking conventions of movement, drone shots
Symbolic: Religious symbolisms like crosses and bible references, sexual symbolisms, Good VS Evil (Dark VS Light)
Narrative Conventions: Dreams(false scares), fast moving or teleporting enemies, demonic possessions, secret rooms, evil authority figures, Sci-Fi horror (Aliens)
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