Questions About The Sounds in A Scene

1. What does the sound telling us about the character?
2. How do we know this is a thriller?
3. What is the role of the opening of a film?

Notes whilst watching Title Scene - Falling Down

• Suspense
• Screaming
• Horns beeping
• heavy breathing
• Loud dramatic music
• Arguing of traffic
• Screaming/shouting children
• Deep booming and buzzing of a bug
• Loud dramatic sounds overpowering other sounds
• Clunking of radio buttons
• Beat of drum getting faster
• Slow motion scream
• Variety of different sounds - horns, screaming, talking, arguing all at once
• Helicopter in background gradually getting louder

1. The sounds being played tells us that the character is nervous, this is because he hears all the different sounds all in his brain and makes him sweat. The drum sound also sounds like a heart beat getting faster and faster makes him more anxious. The buzzing of the fly is also enhanced which adds tension to the scene.
2. We know this is a thriller because the setting of the scene is tense and the diegetic sounds like the horns, screaming and arguing add to the suspense. The non-diegetic sound also adds a hint of mystery as we don't know why he's so nervous.
3. The role of the opening of a film is to set the scene, start the story, show the characters and give an idea of what the film could be about. This opening scene gives the impression that the film will be a thrilling because the sounds built tension.