Soundtrack

The soundtrack of a thriller film contains many components, as music is not the only element to accompany the action. 


Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is any sound emitted from a person or object within the diegesis, and seen within the field of vision. Such as a phone ringing or,more relevant to thriller films, sounds such as gunshots and screams. Diegetic sound is important in building up the story as the most common form of diegetic sound is the dialogue between characters.  

This clip, an extract from the 2006 spy- thriller 'Stormbreaker' demonstrates a lot of diegetic sound amongst the action. For example, the sound of the bicycle tyres screeching and car horns although exaggerated in the editing process are still diegetic sounds which build tension. Furthermore, other sounds such as a power washer in the garage and the machinery in the scrap yard are all diegetic sound and the building music indicates that Alex may be in danger and a fight scene may follow.  

Non- diegetic Sound

Non- diegetic sound is sound that does not come from the diegesis or usually seen within the field of vision, but is in fact added afterwards during the editing process. 

The most noticeable of non - diegetic sounds used within the thriller genre, is the score or song accompanying the action. The following link gives samples of lots of soundtracks to thriller films, I focused especially on the fifth up from the bottom entitled "Suspenseful mystery 1" 

http://www.yookamusic.com/playlist/soundtracks_suspense_thriller

This soundtrack is a good example of the orchestral, building music often used within thriller films to build tension. This piece especially is minor which adds to the eerie sound, as well as building slowly to a crescendo and there is an intentional high pitch, squeaky sound produced by the string instruments which adds drama and an ominous quality to the piece.

Sound Effects

Sound effects are the enhanced / artificial sounds that are created and added to a sequence during the editing process. Typical sound effects include things like the exaggerated sound of a gunshot, a scream, a car horn, tyres screeching and so on. The following links are all examples of sound effects that could be used to enhance a Thriller and create/ build tension. 


http://soundbible.com/1998-Gun-Fire.html

http://soundbible.com/1627-Female-Scream-Horror.html

http://soundbible.com/1707-Hearbeat-2.html

Application

Within our own thriller opening we will be using various elements of the soundtrack to help add to the tense atmosphere of the clip. For example, we have within our thriller the diegetic sound of the actresses heels on the concrete making a clip clop sound which intensifies the scene as he have enhanced this sound to be louder and more dramatic during the editing process, moreover our opening includes non- digetic sound also such as the score of our film which includes slowed down, orchestral music. Lastly, our thriller opening contains the sound effects of a gunshot, dripping tap and the sound of falling rain which is also an ambient, background sound before the intense and suspenseful score takes over. 


Sources: www.yookamusic.com, Wiki, Google, Youtube, soundbible.com