In this scene from 2014's 'It Follows' we can see great use of diegetic and non-diagetic sound, this uses of sound in this case help generally build tension and drive in the scene.
Firstly I will be looking at how diegetic sound is used in the scene, in the beginning of the scene we hear birds birds in the back ground and the subtle noise of cars driving around, this puts the viewer in a state of tranquility. It is peaceful the connotations of these sounds is calm, peaceful and relaxed. This is great uses of diegetic sound because it both affects the viewer and the people in the scene. The people in the scene can also hear the Birds etc, and this also adds to the general tranquil tones to the scene. Then we see the door open and the non-diegetic sound kicks in Synchronous, we hear a thud almost like a amplified heart beat as the girl exits the house, this quickly takes us out of the relaxed and tranquil state of mind from before. It jumps us and creates scare factor. This beat is repetitive and keeps going beat after beat which builds up this repetitive norm and tension, we wait for each beat and so when the beat does not come we feel like something is going to happen, but it leaves us in this state of mind expecting something to jump out. Of course this only effects the audience but is syncs in nicely with what is happening on the screen. This coupled with the constant deep humming noise that seems to amplify when action is happening in the scene. Now moving back to diegetic sound, we hear the door open and close but this happens off screen, leaving us to wounder who opened it. The director has used this to really drive forward this who is following her or what is trying to get her. But his sudden build up is extinguished by the voice of people, The other people in the scene speek very softly and calm they try to help and are witnessing this crazy event while going about there daily routine. So there voices are calm and complacent, which is great juxtaposition to the non-diegetic sound that we hear. Which is very harsh and jarring. But this contrast builds tension and suspense into the scene. The non-diegetic sound in this scene is used also to carry forward the narrative, As we feel although the subject in the scene can't hear the sound that it is following her actions it is not Asynchronous, But on the contrary it moves and changes as she does. It reacts to her and this furthermore engrosses us into what we are watching.
Coming back to voices briefly the small passages of dialogue we hear throughout the scene contrast greatly to what we see the girl going through. We hear "Hey are you okay" and to which the subject reply's "yeah" which conveys a sense of confusion for the audience. It puts us out of our comfort zones but also conveying that what ever it is that is chasing her is something only she is reacting to. And the diegetic and non-diegetic sound both play towards this idea. The constant pulsing sound mimics a heart beat which is used by the director to drive forward this sense of someone not something is chasing her.
Another thing linked with the diegetic sound is that when we hear some people dialogue it is from off screen. Which creates this amazing tension throughout the piece as we can't see who is trying to talk to the subject. This voice we hear from off screen could be the voice of the ever advancing following.
Moving on through the scene, in the car sequence the thumping stops and we feel as if her pursuer has stopped. But with amazing use of a sound bridge that is both jarring and suspenseful we are brought to the beach. Where as the camera tracks left the pulsing thump continues the pursuer is back. The thumping increases pace and subtly increasing in volume. It is also matched with the calming sound of the waves in the background the also have a repeating pattern to them, that matches the thumping. Again creating amazing contrast between serenity and death. Which really puts the audience on edge. Then we get great visual contrast between the dark of knight and the light of day. And another sound bridge but now only the sound of the calming waves remains and the thumping has gone. And we are left with this poor girl ripped apart lying on a beach in the middle of no where, making us think one thing... Why?
If you play this scene without visual guide, people can pick up the narrative almost perfectly. The director has used the right balance of non-diegetic and diegetic sound to create a perfect equilibrium. Where denotation and connotation are both used in this blend of amazing sound design. This is why I believe that 'It Follows' is one of the best modern horror films brought to life on the screen. The director does not just build up tension then spoil his hard work with a cliche jump scare. No he lets the tension gradually build up to where the audience puts them self into such a panic. That they fell horrified, not scared.
Edited By Henry Russell
~ Sources ~
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23rd September 2015
Hurtwood House
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