The reason that people get scared during horror films is the music and sound effects that help create tension. If these audio features were not used during horror films, they would simply not be as scary. If you were to turn the volume down when you are watching a horror film you would realise the significance of well-composed music and sound effects that help create a truly terrifying experience.
Simon Boswell is famous for his involvement of music in classic horror films. He has said that "Music in horror films is probably more powerful than in any other genre, so its good for a composer to do them because he can be very influential on the action." This is because of the natural, quick pace of horror films. The main purpose of all horror films is to scare it's audience and it is impossible to do this just through the visuals. Music should never distract the audience from the visuals on the screen, to do this the music should fit in with the action so it is not seen as a different part of the film, it should only be used to intensify the events in the film.
Orchestral music is probably the most popular type of music used in horror films as it has been used since the creation of horror as a genre. Horror as a whole has a very dynamic range and that is why orchestral music is used so often as it allows the composer to create new and various compositions to fit in the film. Orchestral music also appeals to a wider audience, therefore it allows the film to help convey emotions and certain events.
However, orchestral music is not the only type of music used within horror films. Rock and metal music is often used as it creates a dark and mysterious mood that suits the certain visuals of the film. American Psycho uses 80's pop music which creates an ironic atmosphere and allows the audience to experience juxtaposition in film with the use of both music and visuals. Some people may think that by using this type of upbeat music it decreases the fear, however I believe that it creates more tension because it's such an unlikely convention to use in horror films.
In the majority of horror films there is an audio sequence. for example, the long build up of strings as the victim slowly approaches a door. Or for example in Jaws, you have two notes and it creates tension. This is because whenever audiences hear an audio sequence they are able to recognise that something is going to happen. However, not all horror films use this type of audio sequence. Another common sequence is that music is composed to follow certain events or movements in the film. King Kong is the most famous for using this concept, as the music rises and falls in direct movement with King Kong as he climbs up the Empire State Building. Psycho's famous "Shower Scene" is another prime example of this as the sharp strings are in direct movement with the slashing knife.
In many horror films, a certain melody is played to make the audience aware that the killer is around. For example in Friday the 13th, whenever Jason is around there is a very eerie sound that is played every time the Jason appears or is about to appear. Also, in the Halloween series, there is the same 3 note piano melody that was composed to allow the audience to know that Michael is around and ready to kill. These symbols are vital in horror films and the audience begin to expect them to be played.
Sound effects or SFX in horror films are used in horror films as the tie closely to the events that are played within the film. In most films, they are used to signify and make certain actions stand out. These sound effects tend to be very over- exaggerated. SFX also help increase the power and intensity of movements and actions, which is very important in horror films as they help create an obvious audio-visual experience.
Another sound effect used is called "Ambient Sounds," which are sounds that are joined to create background noise. Cricket sounds are commonly used in horror films, but in reality are only found in certain parts of the World. But as an audience it is so commonly used in horror films, we know that it is used to signify night time.
Speech in horror films is often manipulated to scare us. Speech manipulation is used to alter the pitch of someones voice to make it sound darker. For example, Scream uses a deep, rugged, yet scary voice to help identify the killer, despite us not actually seeing him.
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