Soundtrack Analysis - The Dark Knight

Opening scene to "The Dark Knight"

Soundtrack analysis

The micro element of sound it extremely affective in any film, but in any case when it comes to a certain genre of film, sound usually has a specified role to play. In the case of thriller, conventions would have us expecting sound to help build tension and suspense within a thriller film. All the micro elements linked to the  film in question usually converge together to help reach a genre goal which allows the film to use it's other macro elements to meet it's other conventions.

Within this opening scene from "The Dark Knight" we can see sound used within the conventions of thriller. We can break down the sound used into 8 certified groups.

1) Dialogue - Conversation between characters within the film itself

2) Diegetic Sound - Things the characters can hear in the 'real world', we and the actors in the film can hear diegetic sound

3) Incidental Music - background music which adds to the atmosphere and in some cases to the action going on in the film

4) Non diegetic sound - Sounds that do not exist in the 'real world' of the film, for example, the soundtrack which the characters cannot hear

5) Sound bridges - When a sound carries on from one scene to another, or when we hear a sound ant then it cuts to the scene where the sound is coming from

6) Sound effects - Sound effects are added during the post production to build up the mood and is usually used to reinforce certain sounds actors and objects make

7) Sound track - A complete audio component to a film to include all sounds, specifically the music track

8) Voice Over - When the audience can hear a character, specifically over the top of a scene, often telling us what they feel and why they're feeling it

All though not all these elements will be incorporated in any one film, a select few are usually always used.

Dialogue Analysis

Dialogue between the minor characters in the scene is rather fast paced. The snappy conversation between the minor characters is used to support the fact they're robbing a bank and must be fast about it, keeping concentration is of vital importance. When things start to pick up the minor characters begin to shout demands - "...HEADS DOWN HEADS DOWN!" - this is used to create tension between all the characters within the film and the audience, with the helpless people within the bank being scared and surprised by the robbers' unexpected appearance. Dialogue from the main character - The Joker - is completely void, we do not hear him talking at all through out the whole scene. As we can see this meets the conventions of mystery and the unknown are met through the lack of dialogue between The Joker and the other minor characters within the scene. Dialogue within the scene is guiding the audience through the notions being performed by the characters.

Diegetic sound

Examples of diegetic sound are pretty apparent through out the scene. The glass being smashed at the very beginning of scene is the frist example of diegetic sound. Other sounds that follow such as the grapple-gun and the sound of them swinging from one building to another. These sound all fit action/stunts which is another major convention of thriller films. All other Diegetic sounds such as gun shots also meet conventions of thriller, weapons and stunts are the two main conventions reinforced by the simple use of diegetic sound.

Incidental Music

The incidental music is probably the most effective way to set the atmosphere of the film/scene. Incidental music runs through out this scene to deliver the simple connotations that are used to back up the conventions of the thriller genre. The music at the start of the film is rather quiet, with a very light ticking probably used to simulate the fact they are fighting against the clock to rob this bank. When the glass is broken the ticking becomes more clear and apparent. When the car pulls up to pick up The Joker, drums are brought in to show his importance as he enters the car. As the car pulls away the music goes quiet again, to show the change in importance. From this short few seconds of the opening sequence, incidental music has already played a massive role in delivering tension and suspense to the audience, with elements of the music also setting the vital atmosphere, allowing the audience to develop their ideas on what is happening through out the scene. Through out the scene the incidental music continues to do this, backing up the bigger underlining macro elements of the film, allowing all the themes of the film to take effect shortly after the scene.

Non Diegetic sound 

Non diegetic sound comes in the form of the Incidental music in the scene.With all other sound effects being added to clarify some actions being made during the scene. The characters cannot hear the music in the background that builds the tension and suspense behind what they're doing. 

Sound Bridges

Sound bridges only occur with the incidental music that plays through out the scene, the music carries over into different scenes with characters carrying out different lines of actions, this is done to keep tension and suspense built up within the film and to maintain the connection between the narrative of the events occurring in the scene and the audience.

Sound effects

Sound effects such as gun shots fit the thriller genre very well, with these sounds matching up with the simply conventions of thriller films. Other sound effect that were possibly added during some stunts were also used to back up the notions of what's happening in the specific scene. Other sound effects could be used to add clarity to make certain nosies more noticeable, so that the audience is better engaged with what's occurring within the scene.

There is no voice over and the soundtrack is all these elements put together. With all this combined, the scene has a certain sense of speed, uncertainty, mystery with a strange atmosphere set but the incidental music. All these fit perfectly into the conventions of the thriller genre. Putting tension and suspense at the for-front of what's occurring during the scene, making the audience question what's happening and making them think about why it's happening. The sound allows us to develop relationships with the characters, even though dialogue is short we still gather a better understanding of "The Joker".