For our film opening, we recorded our own music.

Composed and played by Masha. We went to a local school which has a grand piano room, and recorded using the voice notes feature, by putting my phone inside the piano, since we do not have access to professional sound recording equipment.

Masha in the process of composing the music

Notes

Masha taking some quick notes on her arm in order to remember the sequence

Reference

Our film opening was playing on her phone over and over again, as a reference.

The use of sound in film

Types of sound in film

Diegetic sound – sound that originates from within the world of the film, where characters can hear it.

Non-diegetic sound – sound that is not heard by the characters but is intended for the audience.

Foley sound – sound effects created specifically for the film to simulate real noises, such as closing doors or footsteps.

Soundtrack/Background music – music that plays either diegetically or non-diegetically. This is usually related to the genre of the film or the content of the scene.

Sound in horror films

Sound is essential to building atmosphere and shaping the audience’s perception of the events in the film. The horror genre relies on sound to:

Create suspense and tension – by making viewers feel on edge without visually revealing anything. This is specifically important in the paranormal horror genre, which relies heavily on built suspense and fear and unseen, yet felt monsters.

Jump scares – Nemor features 2 jump cuts, from the room to the unknown forest, and from the church back to the real world. Specifically, the final jump back to the real world features a jump scare, of The Victim (f) suddenly appearing behind The Victim (p) and grabbing her by the shoulder. This jump scare can be paired with a sound cue, to startle the audience.

Sound can be used to distort the audience’s perception of reality. Constant repeated noises, or an eerie melody, can make the viewer feel like something is off, imply an incoming threat, even if there is no visual threat.

When sound design is done well, it creates a more immersive experience, making the audience more invested in the film. This can play a huge role in making a horror film have the intended effect on it’s audience.