Mise-en-Scene, Sound & Camerawork in Kill Bill: Vol. 2

Sound in Thrillers

Sound in Thriller movies: 

Thriller Sound Notes

Sound in Thrillers

Diegetic – sound occurring from the film

 

Non-diegetic – Sounds created in post-production

 

Synchronous sound – which goes with the action and events occurring in the scene

 

Asynchronous sound – which contradicts the events occurring

 

Psycho:

§  Strings – cello/violin – very high timbre & ‘scratchy’

§  Non-diegetic

§  Chase scene from a horror/thriller

§  Closing in on the victim

§  Building up to the climax

§  Fast paced

§  Edited in to the video

§  Repetitive notes

 

Cape Fear:

§  Trumpet – horn instruments

§  Added in strings – high pitched screeching

§  Strings create tension and add to build up of a climax

§  Repetitive notes played

§  Drops half a tone to create more anxiety

§  Non-diegetic and synchronous

§  Dramatic & ominous fear

 

 

28 days later:

§  Bass – depicts a mood of sadness

§  Electric and acoustic guitar

§  Anxiety and tension builds

§  A bass drum is then added to give the scene more of a pace

§  Asynchronous

§  Heart felt beat

 

 

What makes a good thriller soundtrack?

§  Crescendo with the climax (gets louder)

§  Always in the minor key

§  Strings (often high pitched)

§  Percussive heart beat sound (usually in the bass)

§  Sense of enigma

§  Nursery rhyme themes

§  Tri-tones