Film Opening deconstruction slasher/horror: sound

Film opening deconstruction: Sound:

Scream (1996):

A slasher horror movie, produced in 1996, the first in the 'Scream' series.

Ominous non diegetic music is played, and as the title appears a loud 'bang' is heard to further create tension, and show something bad is soon to happen. Diegetic sound of a telephone ringing is also played.

The title then turns red, to represent blood, possibly non diegetic or diegetic sound of screams are heard along with the sound of a knife. Foreshadowing events later to come within the movie. Straight away the sound used conforms to common conventions of slasher horror, since it creates tension, and has used features such as screams aswell as a representation of the murder weapon.

Diegetic sound is used once again to show the telephone ringing, where the killer is on the other line (however the audience do not know this yet). The screams appear to be non diegetic sound, since they continue to play and echo before the character picks the telephone up.

Diegetic dialogue between the girl and the killer, first sign of interaction. Begins fairly neutral, as if the killer is toying with her having a normal conversation. A clever use of dialogue as does not give it away, but allows the audience to make their own decision on the situation. 

Outside noises such as crickets used (diegetic sound). Again as if they are trying to create a sense of normality, but creates a fairly creepy quiet atmosphere. 

The squeaking of a swing is also used, creating atmosphere. This use of diegetic sound also foreshadows events to come, since she is hung on the tree alike how the swing is.

Sense of normality and peacefulness then disturbed by sudden diegetic sound of a hob being turned on, possibly representing harsh events to come, how her night will soon be disrupted.

Phone rings again, aswell as character putting popcorn on the hob (normal actions, shows how the character is not yet fearful of her situation). The character then picks up a knife (diegetic sound), represents murder weapon of the killer. The sound of the popcorn then begins to slowly build up, alike how the events are soon to.

Diegetic sound of character locking doors, representing how her situation is taking a turn for the worse. The voice then states 'i want to know who I'm looking at' (diegetic dialogue). The character then seems distressed, non diegetic music is then played to create tension. A dog also barks in the distance to further deepen this (diegetic sound).

Creepy non nigetic music continues to play, diegetic sound of light being switched on to show outside, foreshadowing to when the characters boyfriend is later outside in the same spot and murdered.

Character than locks the doors, and the popcorn sets on fire, showing how the situation is getting worse. Non diegetic music picks up/becomes louder again showing this.

Phone rings again, diegetic dialogue of killer saying 'ill gut you like a fish',  'more of a game' and calling her 'blondie' showing violence soon to come swell as the fact earlier as expected he was toying with her. The use of stating her hair colour has shown the audience that he is watching her, the music becomes more frantic and distressed. 

Non diegetic music then stops, further creating tension. The door bell then rings, and no one is there. Use of diegetic sound to show killer is there. 

The character then begins to scream and cry (diegetic sound) to show distress.

Evaluation:

• Overall this movie has a very good sound track for a slasher horror, very subtle at the beginning and then begins to pick up as the tension does, creating a good atmosphere for the genre.
• The use of diegetic sound and sound effects also adds to this, with slight noises of a knife moving or a swing squeaking, foreshadowing further events.
• It also conforms well to common conventions of the genre.
• However, fairly repetitive and at points it does not flow well into each scene, possibly due to the fact it came out in the 90's.