Analysis of TV/Film Sound & Audio

Clip one: True Blood S02E05 (Godric turns Eric into a Vampire)

Dialect: Characters are speaking in Spanish – Eric croaky, brave vocal. Godric: strong, quiet and slow paced dialect. The way they speak within this scene is key to understanding how the characters are feeling emotionally and how we the audience are meant to feel. 

Music: String and opera music e.g. cello and woman’s vocals

SFX: Swords being removed from their holders, characters being stabbed, slicing noises, characters reacting to being stabbed & Eric being bitten by Godric.

Impact on audience:  This particular scene’s sound elements are important to creating the atmosphere for the entire scene. The emotions which are provoked for me in this scene by the sounds are shock, as you can hear the characters being stabbed and killed brutally. When it comes to dialect, because the characters aren't speaking in English I have focused on how the characters are speaking. Eric, who in this scene is being pinned down my Godric the vampire, although is scared for his life, is able to string along a sentence quite well, although he is quiet and his voice is croaky. As well as this, his circumstances make his dialect more important as it shows his bravery although his life is in danger. Godric on the other hand sounds stronger than Eric, as he is slightly louder which I think has been done to show who is the more dominant male in this scene while also showing a contrast between the two characters. The music playing throughout the scene creates an atmosphere, which shows us that this scene could be set in a different period than we are in currently (shows that this scene is a flashback) while also creating a sense of fear, as the soundtrack string based (for instance the cello is heard) which along with the operatic woman creates an overwhelming sense that something bad is happening.

Clip two: Game of Thrones S04E02 - Purple Wedding (King Joffrey's Death)

Dialect: The characters throughout this scene are speaking in a manner which suggests they are from another period in time, in this case from another world. The main character in this scene (King Joffrey) is speaking quite Royally showing that he is the main power within in this scene whilst also showing his importance. He speaks in a cruel, spiteful voice to show what kind of contribution he has in respects of characters in this series. The woman he just married (The Queen) then begins to speak in a panicking manner as Joffrey is heard choking - he had been poisoned. We then he gasps from numerous background characters as dramatic music begins to play, almost anticipating his death.

Music: The music fits perfectly with this scene as it becomes more intense as the scene progresses. The music is again string based and the volume decreases when the characters begin to talk again. As the character dies, the music does the same and fades out until it is heard no more. When the credits are shown the music begins to play again.

SFX: The only notifiable use of SFX within this scene is the atmospheric sounds such as the wind blowing and birds chirping. This is evident to be a sound effect as this sort of sound would not be picked up easily through the microphones used in filming.

Impact on the audience: All the sound heard within this scene has been done so to create an emotionally stimulating audible visual for the audience. Along with the actual visuals, the music, SFX and dialect have all contributed to the anticipating scene of the evil King being finally killed. So, naturally the music mirrors this, as it starts off quiet and quite unnoticeable, then becomes overwhelming when the King's death is nearer. Another thing I have noticed which would affect the audience is that the dialect throughout this scene is quite unimportant and slow paced, which detracts our attention for a moment, which I think has been done so the shock is more valuable. 

Clip three: The Vampire Diaries S03E19 (Elena Kisses Damon - MOTEL SCENE)

Dialect: Other than heavy sighs, there is no speech throughout this scene until the end where Elena says 'Don't, which I think makes the music playing throughout all the more powerful

Music: As the scene is romantic, the music playing resembles that; strings and piano mainly heard throughout the music, the when the scene comes to its climax, the singers voice is heard

SFX: There are no noticeable elements of SFX within this scene

Impact on the audience: Although there is not much variation of sound in this scene, I feel that the use of only one piece of dialect and then music throughout the entire scene creates a stronger emotion than it would if the scene included every sort of elements of sound. I say this because the simpler the scene and less to focus on audibly, the more the audience can feel their emotions and think about how they feel about this particular scene. The emotions provoked within the audience through the sounds heard in this scene are such as happiness as we feel happy for the characters as the music suggests that something good is going to happen.