Background research #3 use of sound in film

Kingsman: The Secret Service opening scene analysis-

By doing this analysis I will expand my knowledge of how sound is used in a film to create certain effects and also connote different things to the audience. I can then apply this to my part of the opening scene that I will film in order to make it as good as I can.
 


In this scene it opens with a very small sound bridge as the music from the title sequence soundtrack carry's over into the scene. This denotes that the sequence is linked in to the scene and therefore what happens in the title sequence is relevant to what will happen in this scene.

The next part of sound used in this scene is dialogue as one of the supposed villains talks to the man in the chair who is tied up. The supposed villain tells the man tied up in the chair that he is not going to hurt him. The man tied in the chair responds by saying that he is a "university lecture" and that he has "got no money." This makes the audience feel bad for the character in the chair as they believe him to be an innocent man who has been wrongly imprisoned by theses bad people. We can infer all this from the dialogue.

Later in the scene there is a knock at the door which is dietetic sound as the noise is created by the man knocking on the door. This noise is also exaggerated and is therefore pleonastic sound as the volume of the knock is increased, this connotes that it is an important part of the scene as whoever is behind the door will play a key part in the scene. The knock also interrupts the villain's dialogue which connotes that it is more important to the scene than what the villain is saying.

Almost instantly after the knock at the door empathetic sound is added into the scene as it is a loud bang noise is added which is followed by a high pitched ringing. These two noises match what is happening as the bang is a surprise just like the knock at the door. Then the ringing noise continues afterwards which creates and implies tension in the scene as the audience are suspicious as to who is behind the door and what they will do. This empathetic sound continues through nose of the scene as the man is walking up to the door. The volume of this noise which has now changed into a soundtrack continues to increase which therefore continues to increase the tension of the moment. The volume climaxes at the point in which the character behind the door is revealed showing that he is important.

Dialogue appears as the man behind the door says "I supposes asking to borrow a cup of sugar is a step to far," this connotes that they both know that they are each others enemies or they know there will be a fight. This is also implied to the audience and therefore satisfies them as it is a spy/action film so they will want to see violence and action. When the man pulls out his gun more empathetic sound is inserted with the loud band again as it is a surprise but the audience are now certain there will be violence.  

When the man at the door shoots the man who answered it the soundtrack kicks in, the music is fast paced and also the non-dietetic sound of the gunshot is inserted into the film this shows that the man has been shot. The soundtrack continues trough when the man is shooting the villains that are in the room, then it ends at the same time as the man reloads a gun which denoted to the audience that the violence is over as the soundtrack was matched with the action.

After the monologue of the man telling the professor that he is there to take him home there is a diegetic sound which is ambient sound as there is the noise of something moving in the background. The characters both react to this and this denotes to the audience that there is still someone there. They then due to this feel like there may still be more action but it also creates a sense of suspicion as they don't know who it is or what they want.


The man who was at the door then shoots the man who is coming through and he is carrying a drink on his tray. When he is shot a loud noise is inserted which isn't a gunshot as it is high pitched making it non-diegetic. This was used to create a sense of finality as all the villains are dead, which then creates shock at what happens later when we find out they aren't. The dietetic sound of the plate crashing to the floor is used to create a sense of realism to the scene.

After the dialogue between the two characters there is a knock at the door which is diegetic and signifies to the audience that the scene is not over yet. From this more suspense is created in the scene as it leaves the audience thinking who is it? what do they want?  When this knock occurs this time no empathetic sound or pleaonstic sound is used unlike with the first knock. This connotes that this characters appearance will no be a surprise like the first characters appearance was. The soundtrack is added which is similar to the first one as it is slower which also is used to create suspense.

Just before the man gets to the door there is the non-diegetic sound of the sword slicing mixed in with the loud high pitched noise. This is used to shock the audience but also still keep a sense of realism to the film. It also makes the audience wonder what has happend  as it is not clear until the camera does a pan around the characters head.

During the pan the high pitched empathetic sound continues to keep the sense of surprise. When the woman hand then takes the drink out of the mans hands the non-diegetic sound of a deep trumpet like noise is added. This connotes to the audience that the character that has done this is evil as lower pitched noises are usually associated with the more villainous characters.

When it is shown what has actually happend to the man the sound of his body slicing is non-diegetic and is also pleonastic as it is exaggerated. This is done to emphasise what has actually happend to the man, as it is a shocking thing for the audience.

When the woman runs up the stairs there is a slight diegetic sound of her metal feet pressing against the ground. This sound is used so that the director and enforce a realistic feel to this film, as if the film doesn't seem relatively real then the audience wont enjoy it as they like to find an association with the characters. The sound of the woman's metal feet is also shown again where she cuts the rope which ties the mans hands. This sound is pleonastic  and non-diegetic which is used to enforce to the audience the ability she has.

Finally the soundtrack is re introduced and as the woman answers the door and it increases in volume as the camera closes in on the characters face. This connotes to the audience that the man is an important figure in the film.

From this research I can have found out many things that are used in a spy/action film in relation to sound which I will use in my part of the opening scene. First I can see that empathetic sound is often used when a soundtrack is put in this is something I will try and do as it makes the audience feel comfortable as the soundtrack matches the action.  Pleaonastic sound is also used in the this scene as the sound of the knocking is made louder to emphasise its importance, I will also try and do this in my part. as I feel it is an important part of any spy/action film. The final part of sound I will try to use is saound effects such as certain non-diegetic sound which matches the character e.g a certain noise when the hero or villain is in the shot.