Horror films without sound
The website I found deals with how sound can affect if a movie is scary or not scary. I’m actually one of those rare people out there that actually enjoy horror films. John goes on to talk about how movies without the sound of the slash of a knife or sound of a gun going off just doesn’t have quiet the same affect if you do not hear it. I completely agree with this website and put it to the test some time ago. I heard a while ago that by just turning the sound off in a horror film would make it not scary. Being the curious creature that I am, I went home and gave the no sound theory a try because I was a bit skeptical of it. My thoughts at the time were that visuals were the most important aspect of a horror movie. By watching a scary movie without sound I quickly learnt that sound was a main benefactor for making movies scary. It now makes a lot of sense to me now because I still enjoy old school scary movies even though they aren’t as visually stimulating as newer movies, the sound behind them is just as creative as movies being made today.
In one of my groups recent post we discussed how most people are less scared by watching scary films in the comfort of their own home rather then in a movie theater. This article sheds some light on the issue because obviously movies theaters are much louder then what we can achieve in our own home (unless of course your have your own movie theater..) and this contributes why most people like watching scary movies at home.
“Music and Sound Effects of Horror Films”, by John Hubinette
Retrieved May 11, 2008 from http://www.eng.umu.se/monster/john/sound_music.htm
Why we watch horror films
This website basically goes along with the reading “Paradox of horror films” by talking about how people watch scary movies because they almost want to view something that is not reality. I partially agree with this but I also like the viewpoint that most people enjoy horror films because of curiosity and mystery of the unknown. I personally like scary movies because of the fiction and mystery they create. I don’t think its escaping reality that people are trying to do but rather viewing a alter reality that in most cases will never exist in this world. Scary movies allow us to almost think outside the box and use our imagination in ways you would never think possible. Just like when you were a kid after watching a scary movie and lying in bed thinking that a monster is under your bed and was waiting for the right time to strike. Our imagination from watching these horror films is able to create something that will never exist yet the fear is implanted in our head.
“Justin’s guide too…why we watch horror”
Retrieved May 11, 2008 from http://www.mutantreviewers.com/rjg16.html
2 comments:
I have heard that the music plays a large impact on making horror films scary as well. I think the largest factor is the background music selected, not neccessarily the other noises in the film (guns, knives, etc.). The music serves to build anticipation and this anticipation is what gets us on the edg of our seats.
What about silent film "Nosferatu?" I would have to say that silence is what makes a movie scary. Silence is what builds the suspense of horror.
It is a backwards way of thinking about scary movies, but I have to disagree with the idea of sound creating fright.
Every time I recall watching "Nosferatu" on VHS I get more of the chills than I do when I remember "Saw IV." I dare anyone to rent "Nosferatu" and let me what you think about the relationship of sound and horror films.
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