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Iconic Sounds
Thriller films often include eerie non-diegetic sounds that can range from music, to screams and creepy ambient noises. Sound is key in thriller films to create suspense and an aura of tensions / fear. Without sound, many thriller films would not be 'thrilling' or scary. Many thriller films use similar sounds but, the tone and style used usually depends on the sub-genre. For example horror thrillers will usually include screams, violins and uses of pathetic fallacy such as thunder and lightning or whistling wind.
Examples of iconic sounds and themes used in thriller films:
Psycho (1960)- Shower theme
Jaws (1975) - Theme
The Dark Knight (2008) - Why So Serious?
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - Plane scene (skip to 2:47)
Below is a list of generic sounds and more ambient music frequently used in thriller films.
Reseraching the iconic sounds and inststruments used in thriller films helped me to understand the importance of music and ambient diegetic and non-diegetic sounds in thriller films and how they help to enhance the 'thrill' and exaggerate / accompany the actions of characters on screen. The research gathered from this task will be beneficial to creating a successful two minute opening to a short thriller film.
(Franklin Kwawu)
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