The sound track is essential in trailers as it has a large impact on the tone, mood and atmosphere of the trailer. We are going to use many typical sound conventions that are used within horror trailers so that the audience are able to identify our trailer as a horror trailer. For our horror trailer, we are going to create a soundtrack utilising different layers of sound effects which demonstrates mystery and fear to the audience.
Influences
Below are some of the influences for the final creation of the soundtrack for the trailer. For the final trailer, we plan use different elements from each of these trailers below as they demonstrate typical sound conventions for horror. For example, The drone sound effect & the horns.
SinisterThe Sound design for this trailer was effective as it has been used at specific times of the trailer. It uses a drone sound effect (0:07) which is used to indicate that there's an evil presence. This dark ominous sound is a motif throughout the whole play whenever text appeared on the screen. This audio code is very effective as it is used to build up suspense and anxiety for the audience. We would like to use this sound convention in our sound design as it will set the atmosphere of the trailer. From (2:19) there's high pitched shout/scream. This is uncomfortable to the ears of the audience. This could indicate pain. This is used as a jump scare to frighten the audience. We would like to use sound convention in our sound design for our jump scare at the end our trailer. From (2:17) there is a silent moment within the trailer. The power of silence connotes tension and can be used to set up something. For example, Cliff-hangars. I would like to use this sound convention in our sound design as it can be used to create tension.
annabelle: creationThe sound design for this trailer was effective as it utilised a lullaby tone and rising notes to set the atmosphere of the trailer from (0:01). The lullaby tune indicates to the audience that the trailer is revolved around young children because that sound is associated with children. The rising notes is used to create tension but is shortly followed up with silence (0:05). However, we won't be using the lullaby tune in our sound design as our trailer doesn't revolve around young children. From (1:12) till (1:32)there's a non dietetic instrumental being played. This is used to change the mood of the trailer in a good way. It was followed with text which also assisted in changing the mood. However, we won't use this in our sound design as we are not looking to change the mood of our trailer mid-way. we are looking to keep the mood consistent throughout the trailer. From (1:50) there's a sudden scream that has been used as a jump scare to frighten the audience. We could this sound convention in our trailer as it is typically used in horror trailers. Also, It allows us to change the momentum and pace of sound design for our trailer.
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Lights outThe sound design was effective as it used a sound to introduce an antagonist. From (0:25) it uses a stab sound effect which enhances the horrific value of the antagonist. The sudden sound adds tension and fear into the audience as it is unexpected. We would like to use this sound convention in our sound design and utilize it as a jump scare moment. From (1:10), There was a horn which is used to indicate there is a threat. The deafening sound puts the audience on edge as it is uncomfortable to the ear. There is an establishing shot being used at the same time as the horn to create a sense of mystery. We would like to use this sound convention in our sound design to heighten the suspense and mystery that was already created. From (1:23) it uses continuous trailer booms which indicates that something bad is going to happen. This is commonly used in trailers, especially in thriller trailers. This is used to heighten the tension to it. The pace of trailer booms matches with the pace of the editing at this moment. We would like to use this sound convention in our sound design for our montage so it can heighten the suspense and tension.
insidious: the last keyThe sound design was effective as it utilised a muffled scream (0:27) which connotes fear to the audience as the scream can't be heard properly. The sound is associated with pain also. The sound was followed up with a drone sound effect. The sound was also effective as it sounds like impending doom. i would like use this sound convention in our sound design near the begin for when the text appears. From (1:44), there are screams but they are distorted. The non diegetic sound connotes discomfort to the audience. I wouldn't use this sound effect in our sound design as there is already a lot of screams added in our sound design. From (0:53) there's a breathing sound effect embedded into the soundtrack. the sound connotes a sense of mystery as the audience don't know who is breathing like that. I wouldn't like to add this to our sound design as it isn't necessary for it to be added.
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Other inspirations
These are other horror film trailers that i have listened to its soundtrack and liked a few of the sound effects from each of them. Some of the sounds are similar to the ones i previously analysed but they are a different variant. These also have an influence on the outcome of our sound design.
Software
These are the softwares that we are going to use to create our sound design. Logic pro x & garageband will be used to create the soundtrack in our sound design. There are many instrumentals and sound effects in these applications that we can use to our advantage to create the ultimate soundtrack for our horror trailer. Youtube will used if we are unable to achieve the sound that we want to create. We will obtain the sound from youtube and modify the sound to make it into our own.
The process
these are the sound effects we are considering to use in our sound design. Unfortunately, for some of the sound effects, we were unable to create on the softwares provided as there were no instruments or sounds available to us which allowed us to do so. e.g. the drone sound effect, we were unable to recreate it. therefore, we obtained the sound from another source other than youtube. however, These are just a few of the sounds we are considering to use in our trailer. for the other sounds, we are going to use logic pro x & garageband to create them. This video is just a short compilation of the sounds we like and explaining how and why we would use it our trailer.
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for the video, i utilised final cut pro to edit it. i embedded our new logo into the video to show who we are. I added an effect called "Bad Tv" which gives it a glitch look to it. i just added a description for each sound effect which explains why i'm using and how i will apply it to our trailer.
for the sound of the video, i tampered with the sounds. i re-adjusted the decibels (db) which is used to measure sound levels. dB is a logarithmic way of describing a ratio. this ratio is sound. for majority of the sounds, i decreased the sound volume from the start so it can fade in but as the sound plays out, it increases and stays like that for the rest of the sound clip. now that i understand how decibels work from just playing around with it, for the actual sound design, i could it as a transition. I could fade another sound in while one is already playing.
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these are the two sounds i used in the clip, The cinematic horn and woman scream. These are two sounds we are potentially going to use and modify them so it can fit our sound design. These are both typical sound conventions found in horror trailers.
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this is the begin of the sound design. I utilised the drone sound effect as a background track. This sound will be consistent throughout the whole trailer but there will be moments of silence during the trailer. Therefore, i will cut out a section of the background drone and fill up the gap with silence. This prepares the audience for the upcoming jump scare. this will be a non-diegetic sound as it is more convenient than diegetic because it allows the viewer to interpret how the victims are feeling.
these are sound effects which have been either incorporated into our sound design or been chopped out of the sound design. these are conventional sound effects which are found in horror trailers and we have used this so the audience can recognise it as a horror trailer.
The image above is the sound design with all the components included. This took a couple days to complete as i had to find the sounds which best suited our trailer. I tweaked around with the volume and mixer for each sound design so it could match the tension at the specific moment. Each moment is key as it sets the tone of the trailer. All The sounds used were modify and cropped so it can suit our needs.
Final sound design
this is our final sound design.
conclusion
To conclude, i've learnt a lot from creating the sound design. It's not easy to make a sound design as it needs to correlate with the timeline and storyboard which is created prior the process. Also, i had to learn how to use certain tools on logic pro to create certain effects. the sound track conventionally has 3 structures to it - Texture shots, disruption and montage. The pacing of each structure should be different so the audience are able to signify what is happening in the trailer.