Sounds are one of the most important elements of constructing any film or video. Here is why:
Music and sound effects within a horror film are particularly unique as many horror films include sounds which contrast between situation and sound. If what is being shown on the screen is unsettling; a sound which we would associate with a small or vulnerable object would be used to cause confusion to the viewers brain. A common example would be when a child toy or a nursery rhyme is heard when a character in a horror film is in danger. This will confuse the human brain because what we are hearing is something we would associate with safety and childhood but then what we are seeing is someone about to be killed or harmed.
Music and sound effects within a horror film are particularly unique as many horror films include sounds which contrast between situation and sound. If what is being shown on the screen is unsettling; a sound which we would associate with a small or vulnerable object would be used to cause confusion to the viewers brain. A common example would be when a child toy or a nursery rhyme is heard when a character in a horror film is in danger. This will confuse the human brain because what we are hearing is something we would associate with safety and childhood but then what we are seeing is someone about to be killed or harmed.
Also, as well as creepy child lullabies and sounds we associate with small things, there are other ways we can make our audience scared with music and sound effects. Another example would be Low woodwinds. Low woodwinds include a range of instruments such as the piccolo, flute, oboe and English horn. These sounds can create unstable wave forms which are very unsettling when watching a horror film. A common example is a drone sound effect which is most effective when something large is approaching in a scene.
Also, as well as creepy child lullabies and sounds we associate with small things, there are other ways we can make our audience scared with music and sound effects. Another example would be Low woodwinds. Low woodwinds include a range of instruments such as the piccolo, flute, oboe and English horn. These sounds can create unstable wave forms which are very unsettling when watching a horror film. A common example is a drone sound effect which is most effective when something large is approaching in a scene.
As low strings can be perfect for building the suspense before something big happens in a scene, high stings can be used to create an eerie and tense atmosphere too. A higher pitched sound effect could also help build tension in a scene by increasing the pitch gradually until it reaches the climax of the event.
A big part of horror films which viewers will find the most scary and sometimes unexpected is jump scares. I know from research that jump scares are the most effective with sound. The sound before and during a jump scare is very effective because it means the audience are partly expecting something to jump out or pop up from nowhere but with music and sound effects this can be dragged on for maximum effect. When sound is not used before or during a jump scare it is less effective as the audience will suspect something is wrong by the silence. For some silence would be the most obvious way to scare your audience but it really isn't. The audience need sounds to set the atmosphere and build the tension so once something does appear out of nowhere they feel agitated and unsettled. Also if the sounds stop once the jump scare is happening this will cause their reaction to be quicker and less scary, they will immediately settle whereas if the music continues they will remain anxious.
A common sound technique used in horror films is when really tense music, used for the build up of a jump scare begins, and creates an awful tense atmosphere for the audience which results in them being scared and jumping at something totally unexpected and terribly anticlimactic. A popular example is this scene from Jaws:
As low strings can be perfect for building the suspense before something big happens in a scene, high stings can be used to create an eerie and tense atmosphere too. A higher pitched sound effect could also help build tension in a scene by increasing the pitch gradually until it reaches the climax of the event.
A big part of horror films which viewers will find the most scary and sometimes unexpected is jump scares. I know from research that jump scares are the most effective with sound. The sound before and during a jump scare is very effective because it means the audience are partly expecting something to jump out or pop up from nowhere but with music and sound effects this can be dragged on for maximum effect. When sound is not used before or during a jump scare it is less effective as the audience will suspect something is wrong by the silence. For some silence would be the most obvious way to scare your audience but it really isn't. The audience need sounds to set the atmosphere and build the tension so once something does appear out of nowhere they feel agitated and unsettled. Also if the sounds stop once the jump scare is happening this will cause their reaction to be quicker and less scary, they will immediately settle whereas if the music continues they will remain anxious.
A common sound technique used in horror films is when really tense music, used for the build up of a jump scare begins, and creates an awful tense atmosphere for the audience which results in them being scared and jumping at something totally unexpected and terribly anticlimactic. A popular example is this scene from Jaws:
When editing our horror OTS we will be aware that the music and sound effects are the last thing to be added. The music and visuals will work together for the maximum effect but by adding the sound last you will know what types of sound need to go in the correct places to make the audience feel more anxious and increase the tension.