Research into sound ( Mrs Miller )

In this piece of work I will be analysing the use of sound on a thriller film and the effects different techniques can have on the reader. I have chosen a sequence from ' the silence of the lambs ' to analysis. Reasons for this choice is the interesting different uses of sound during this clip having a strong effect on the viewers. Sound is very important to building the suspense, surprise and shock in a thriller which is key when creating a film from this genre.

One of the main techniques used I this clip is the contrapuntal music played as Hannibal attacks his victims. This is played throughout most of the sequence and has a great effect on the audience and the overall presentation of the character. The music played is peaceful, classical music. This is juxtaposed with the gory, vile scene taking place. The effect this has is that it creates a sense of confusion for the viewers . This confusion conveyed could be used to show the crazy, twisted, deluded character that Hannibal is. The fact he is listening to this happy peaceful music whilst eating and murdering the guards shows us how he actually enjoys it, therefore emphasising his psychotic mental state. By exaggerating Hannibal's deluded character, the audience is inflicted with the sense of fear as we see how dangerous he really is. It elaborates in the typical conventions of a thriller as we are surprised at this unorthodox way of killing somebody.

In this clip we are also shown the effects on screen sound can have on the viewers. This is shown at the start of the scene as the noise of the officers steps are exaggerated as they walk towards the jail. This builds a sense of suspense at the start o the scene. By emphasising the steps of the officers it could be showing how they are walking into a trap or even walking towards their death. It is foreshadowing what events are about to take place and therefore inflicting tension upon the audience. Small insignificant sounds like this are often elaborated in the thriller genre, this is mostly done to show the silence in the room. In this case the tension is emphasising the fear of the two policeman and giving the impression that Hannibal is a very dangerous man. By doing this the typical convention of suspense is conveyed throughout the start of the scene.

Another technique used to great effect is the diegetic sound used. An example of this is shown as Hannibal attacks the first police officer, He makes an animal-like growling sound as he bites the man. By making this sound he portrays the character as being inhuman and mentally insane. Through this the audience are given the sense of fear as they see how dangerous and unstable this character is. This builds suspense for further on as we become desperate to see him caught. Through doing this we are shown how sound can vastly effect the way in which the character is presented.

In addition to this the use of parallel sounds is shown in a great example throughout this scene. This is displayed through the reaction of the two officers as they attacked by Hannibal. the screams of the two men are emphasised during this part of the scene. This is the obvious reaction we are expecting after the attack from Hannibal and it clearly shows the fear the two men show. However by exaggerating it in this way it furthermore portrays a sense of tension and fright for the audience as we see how dangerous this man is. The expected convention of shock is illustrated through this as we are shocked to see the exaggerated reaction to Hannibal's violent and gory assault.

From this research I have seen the great effect that sound can have when creating a thriller sequence. Sound is vital when trying to present a certain character and can give the audience a lasting impression on that character. This is shown in a perfect examples as we are shown how unstable and twisted Hannibal's character is through the use of sound. It also makes it clear how important sound is in a thriller as it is vital to portray the protagonist in a fearful, negative light. Sound can inflict certain emotions upon the audience such as surprise, shock and suspense, this is done by emphasising certain sounds and adding music and noises, it is key to creating a successful, entertaining thriller film.