In this blog, I will analyse the use of sound in my chosen film genre- a bit like i did in the previous blog with the taking of Pelham 123 or the Star wars scene.
The Film: The Dark Knight
Genre(s)
Action, superhero, drama, cop.
Non-Digetic sound devices used:
The non-diegetic sounds in the sequence will be evaluated below. I will explain what works well and how it allows the viewer to suspend disbelief.
Score:
The score used, has a balanced tempo at the start when the opening scene begins.
The scene starts with a clown mask being held by someone. As the camera in more and more, the pitch starts to increase giving the audience an insight that this 'clown' will play a bigger role in the story.(0:10)
It then starts to build up its dynamic with the use of dramatic bass drums and a faster pace, this happens at two main moments.
At the start when the clown men(these being the bad guys-conducting a heist) decide to grapple hook themselves on top of the bank building.(0:25)
This contrasts well with the visual image being shown of them in the middle of two 4 stories buildings.(0:27)
Secondly when they are all discussing the heist leader being the joker- when one is cutting the main power supply for the alarm.
When they enter the bank's main doors the score becomes quieter and uses higher pitches when people are either being killed or aimed upon. This creates a dynamic with the viewer and allows them to become drawn within the scene.
They make use of the Bass drum once more when the clowns are running down towards the bottom floor of the bank.(1:38)
They continue this theme of rising and lowering tempos/pitches, the use of a bass drum however, when the joker is finally revealed after placing a grenade in the bank managers mouth, the music comes to a sudden stop and a the sound of a reveal is used.(4:40) The sound removes all kinds of pitches, and is a faded in bass sound. This works really well for the reveal of a villain.
Lastly, i'd like to add that they make use of a crescendo throughout the entire sequence, this is the build op of volume. They do this at numerous points as stated above, only to have it either climax(such as when the Joker is revealed at [4:40]) or when an event is about to take place.
This works really well throughout the sequence as the repetitive use of the crescendo and bass drops creates tension between the audience and the bad guys, making it easier to get an idea of the setting.
Dubbing or sound effects:
The sound effects used work really well with the entire scene to make it seem realistic.
At the start:
They make use of walking sound effects which is obvious for walking.
They use the appropriate gun sound effects when a gun is being fired, an example would be when they enter the bank and fire their guns in the air. It sounds extremely realistic, and not overly done.
They make use of a muffle on the characters whenever they are speaking, this is because they are wearing masks. (0:43)
Song:
There is no song used in this scene at all, i believe that this is a good thing as if there had been, it would lose the sense of being an action scene. It would lack the conventions being created by the music and its dynamic in general.
Voice over:
The voices we hear from the men in the clown masks work really well. You can hear that it is muffled which is realistic as if they are wearing clown masks or any kind of masks, the voice would obviously be muffled .(0:32) - The rest of the opening.
The voices of the audience or people who are in trouble work really well with the whole dynamic of the scene.
The voice of the bank manager is very loud, booming and deep.(2:10)
It creates the sense of him being in power, and having full control of the situation. This works really well as when he is yelling at the clown Heists, we get the impression that he is strong and has control of the entire situation.
-He even makes grunting noises to show he is angry.
However, when he is then shot and is wounded on the floor he makes the noises of those of the wounded.(4:19)
-Grunting(in pain), coughing, and yelling out words to the Joker.
The Joker Heist men all have something in common.
They have grungy and croaky voices to show that they are the bad guys.(0:20) - Rest of the scene.
-When they are shot they also make grunting noises, different but it works well.
In conclusion, the voice over works really well with the entire scene as it allows the viewer to really be engaged and suspend disbelief- as if they were really well.
Especially the use of realistic sounds from the characters i.e(again) the talking inn the masks and the echo in the hall.
Diegetic Sound devices:
Other questions to do with the analysis:
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