The Uses Of Sound In Thrillers & How I Intend To Use Sound In My Work...

Sound plays a large role in any film, no matter what the genre. It is used to emphasise a certain feeling or emotion in accordance to what is being shown on the screen at that particular moment. For instance, if a superhero character had just saved the world from an apocalypse or an evil villain, the music would be upbeat with a lot of instruments. This shows an achievement and relief.


In the case of thrillers, being that they are meant to keep you on edge, slow orchestral music will be in the background. When a climax of terror or vulnerability arises, the music becomes high pitch and change rhythm to increase the viewers heart rate.


Music in thrillers is used to portray:

• Tension
• Vulnerability
• Fear
• Lonliness
• Victims being chased
• Stabbing (music will play in a rhythm in synchronisation with the blows)
• Death
• Running away / hiding
• Create a sense of the unknown
• Sets the mood

Here is an example of this, taken from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's thriller 'Psyco'

This works brilliantly as it shows the lady in the shower, unaware that somebody has just walked in, and so fear is felt as you just want to shout to her 'there is someone behind you!' Her vulnerability in the situation creates tension as you know there is no way of making her aware of the danger she is in.


I intend to have the same effect in my piece of work, just at a lesser level. By using dark and contrasting music, i intend to make the viewer know that something bad is going to happen, but i don't want them to instantly be aware of when it may occur. Slow but high notes and chords are an ideal way to do this as it constantly makes the brain think that something is bound to happen soon, and you get agitated. This is how i plan to have the viewer on the edge of their seat and with the video i have shot, i think it should do just that.