I have decided to conduct a sound analysis into a short film. I feel that this will allow myself and my creative team to gain an academic insight into how sound is used in short films. From analysing purely the sound of the short video below I hope to gain inspiration for my own film - 'Flight'.
The short film begins with the sound of a female voice, although this only lasts for a brief second. The second most evident sound which I picked up was the sound of a text alert. This sound immediately lets the audience know that the narrative of the short production will take place in the modern-day setting. I feel that this is of the utmost importance as this use of sound immediately sets the time period in which the film takes place through the use of a modern, familiar noise. Accompanying this is the sound of a female singer, who appears to be singing in a foreign language. This adds a sense of culture to the scene and suggests that the film will not be set in the United Kingdom. Following this is the noise of rattling, with an odd sound effect in the background. This is an uncomfortable noise for the audience to hear, as it is quite loud and is not a noise that can be pin-pointed. Footsteps can be heard, suggesting that a character is pushing something made of metal. The distorted noise in the background gradually becomes more prominent in the film. This is effective as instead of an immediate rise in the noise, is gradually builds up as the film progresses, which, in my opinion, engages the audience more effectively. Several noises can be heard in the area, although they seem to be far off and distant. This suggests that the character is distant from society and is possibly isolated. I prefer this method of portraying distance to the more prominent obvious methods. Portraying distance through sound creates a more subtle feel which involves the audience into the story which is being told through micro elements. The music - now accompanied by drums being hit quietly, gradually increases, which also makes the viewer feel slightly uncomfortable. The sound almost predicts that a crucial event is going to happen, which increases tension amongst the audience. A siren, presumably from an ambulance, can be heard very quietly in the background of the sound. The sound adds to the increasing tension and anxiety. The diagetic sound of the ambulance gradually increases, added with the distorted, low, music which plays, further increasing the element of foreshadowing events which seems to run through this production. I feel that this is effective, as foreshadowing events through sound gives the viewer a clear idea of what is happening, without giving away crucial elements of the plot. The sound of the ambulance then gradually gets lower, allowing a slight relief in tension. Instead, the noise is replaced with Sci-Fi elements, noises which seem to be futuristic. The non-diegetic sound seems out of place within the narrative, due to the fact that the noises that were heard previously seemed to be either ambient or diagetic. This hints at there being a crucial plot change which has been reflected through the use of sound. However, although the sound of the siren is now no longer to be heard, the increasing level of sound and music still remains, hinting that the danger is perhaps not over. The Sci-Fi sounds soon leave the film, before returning a few seconds later. This shows how necessary these noises are to the narrative of the short film. The sound of a heart-beat monitor can then be heard amongst the futuristic sounds and low, foreboding music, which hints at elements of a human life being in danger. This is further reinforced by the sound of the ambulance heard previously. I feel that this is a very effective method of linking themes together by using sound, and will definitely consider using this within my own short film. Reoccurring themes through sound certainly engage the audience more effectively with the prominent elements of the plot. The foreign-sounding music then returns, further enhancing this idea of distortion. Soon, the sound then increases to a great crescendo, a mixture of many of the noises and sounds previously heard in the production returning, yet louder than before. This increases tension amongst the audience and shows how important this moment is within the film. The final noise within the film "2:20" is the noise of an approaching vehicle, which soon cuts off dramatically, signifying the end of the film. The last piece of sound heard by the audience is arguably the most important, as it is what the audience is left to think about. I will consider using this use of a dramatic build-up which then cuts to silence in my own film, portraying the key moment within the film.
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