Evaluation: Sound

How does your use of sound compare with trailers of similar genres?

Sound refers to everything that we hear –words, sound effects and music. Its significant in film to heighten mood provide audience with information about Mise-en-scene, narrative and characters. In film sound is categorised into diegetic and non diegetic.

The genre of our film is drama. It follows the Journey of Belle and her struggles, fears, and regrets after the loss of her best friend Layla to depression. After looking at other drama films in my research and planning I’ve recongised the genre typically uses emotional instrumental/orchestral music gradually increasing the pace and tempo to intensify escalation to the climax. To appeal to our target audience and conform to the generic aspects of the genre, we included sudden build-ups to create a suspense and tense atmosphere.

At the beginning our trailer, specifically the exposition phase we used a non- diegetic elevating instrumental sound of a piano. This imminently sets a serious tone to the film and sends a single to the audience to expect impending tragedy and sadness. We decided by using this track early in the trailer it establishes the genre to the audience quickly so they focus solely on the narrative, which tackles real social issues.

Usually, drama film trailers apply and layer different soundtracks to signify the change in the narrative. We remained conventional in our trailer because we used the same technique by inserting another soundtrack layered with a different instrument and heavier bass tack. This is effective as it builds up momentum and pace during the emotional scene between the characters, therefore, conforming to the genre drama as it signifies conflict.       

Additionally, sound effects are important in a trailer as they are used to simulate reality and create atmosphere. In our trailer to shape and emphasises the mood in scenes to make them appear realistic. For example the argument scene between Belle and Layla, we inserted the hospital ambient. Furthermore, voiceovers are equally as important because they inform the audience a bit about the narrative. In our trailer, we inserted the voice over of the ambulance services to signify that an unfortunate incident has occurred. To do this we used the voice record app on my phone and inserted it while editing.