Using an online tone generate I was able to create the exact sound I wanted to use for my 30 second film. I wanted to try and recreate a high pitched ringing which would signify the aftermath of an explosion.
The link below takes you directly to the exact pitch I’m going to use for my audio:
In a interview with Gary Rydstrom he explains the different sound techniques he implemented for Saving Private Ryan.
I was particularly interested in the shellshocked effect that he created by recording a seashell. I thought that it was really simple yet effective way for the audience to see the experience through the protagonists perspective.
I want to create something with the same personal impact for my audio.
This was my first initial sound that I created for the film. I wanted to try and tell a story through the audio and give the audience that something bad has just happened.
However on reflection I think that this was maybe too literal and that I should strip it back to just one element of the sound so that I could have more creative freedom when it came to the accompanying visuals.
This is another example of how danger is represented through sound.
I wanted to focus on the scene where The Hunger Games (2012) actually commence as the use of sound is carefully implemented to build as much tension as possible and get the audiences blood pumping. The techniques put the audience in the shoes of the protagonist so we as an audience experience it with them.
The beginning of the scene starts with the repetitive beat at of the of the clock counting down. The repetition of this mimics the sound of a heartbeat and increasing and makes it seem like her heart is beating out of her chest. This heartbeat like countdown just helps add to the tension.
When the games has actually begun there is a loud chime sound which seems to mute everything else. The sound gradually quietens over the course of the scene however there is no diegetic sound of the tributes fighting to the death just this continuous chime sound.
The nature of the music quickly develops and becomes more frantic and fast paced as the fight for survival begins. The high pitched and panic frequency
It is only when Katniss runs for her life and moves away from the danger that the diegetic sound returns.
From both the example I have no looked at silence plays a big part in the representation of fear. Fear seems to paralyse the characters ability to hear for a brief moment in time and It is in fact what isn’t heard which makes the visuals more intense.
For my own piece, I wanted to use a high pitch ringing sound to convey a sense of panic and chaos. I looked at Saving Private Ryan (1998) the Omaha beach scene as an example.
The scene begins with Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) who has just been an explosion after reaching the shores of Omaha Beach where his comrade are under fire by the opposition. From the visuals we can see that the audio should be uncomfortably loud and however it actually sounds as if someone is underwater. The quiet muted sounds here really help to emphasise the sense of disorientation and further reinforces the horrific visuals of sheer destruction and bloodshed the surrounds them .
The silence paired with shot of the soldier talking is especially effective as our eyes are telling us what he’s saying whilst our ears are not. There is a then a faint whistling building to the point of synchronicity where the captains hearing is restored. We can then hear loud sounds of gunshots and explosions which drastically contrasts the muted audio at the begging of the scene.
From this example I can see that an element of synchronicity is a vital element to really make the most of the of the silence, as you need something to connect the audio and visuals together to really put yourself in the shoes of a character.