Sound Analysis

For my sound analysis of a 'Thriller', I am using the ‘Raptors in the Kitchen’ scene from the classic 1993 film ‘Jurassic Park’ with the two characters Tim and Lex Murphy.  Even though this film is labelled as an 'action adventure and family film' rather than a 'Thriller', during this precise scene in the movie it is probably best described and identified as a 'Thriller' because of the tension that builds in the action and the cleverly edited footage and so a I am using to for my analysis on sound within the sequence.

During the scene the non-diegetic music used within it creates a sinister and sly atmosphere from within the soundtrack, the synchronous music which is made up of a full orchestra but mainly highlighting on the high pitch of the strings and dramatic low and deep notes performed by the trombones and brass instruments, creates a tension within the music, and along with the change in dynamic’s from suddenly quiet to extremely loud, and then extremely loud then to quiet, and the change of tempo from slow to fast and fast to slow throughout the scene, keeps the audience focussed on the two characters and connotes well to the pace of the images on the screen.  It also adds the ability to convey the mood and the tense atmosphere during the scene.

The diegetic sound of the scene includes the whispering conversation heard between Lex and her brother Tim during the beginning of the scene; their high pitch of voice and shakiness and heavy breathing indicate that they are hiding from something and and are petfified, in this case it is from the raptors.  

The sound effect of the tapping rhythm of the raptors claws on the floor creates a comical atmosphere which merges into the intensity of the scene as I feel that it creates such a typically human characteristic like tapping their feet whilst thinking,  showing the intelligence of the creatures and giving them human like qualities such as thinking.  One of the main sound effects used within this scene, but with different variations, is the use of metal sounds, from the raptors running into metal units to a utensil rocking back and fourth whilst in the middle of deep silence. The camera shot of the spoon rocking back and forth fully concentrates on the utensil so the sound effect in relation to that shot concentrates the audience on that prop directly.  The sound effects of the pots and pans falling adds a shock and a moment of panic for both the characters and the audience.  Because of this, it also helps to identify the scene as set inside a  kitchen as the almost constant sound of metal aluminium being slammed against each other and utensils falling creates a bold and vivid picture. 

The unique sound effects of the raptors makes the audience believe in the realism of the creatures which are still strongly recognised today especially shown from the recent 2015 film Jurassic World. During this sequence the raptors calling signal and they're screeching creates a moment of panic for Lex.  One runs to attack as it sees and takes its opportunity to pounce which she helplessly screams chillingly in fear.

The sound effect of the closing cooler door creates a deep and hollow sound as there is an echo made when being slammed shut but prior to the closing of the door we have the slipping sound of the trainers squeaking which indicates that Tim is slipping on some sort of liquid on the floor and in this case it is ice, and by luring the raptor into the cooler during this scene shows the intensity of his screams and crashing of metal of the action in this section of this scene. 

During the scene an ambient sound of foot steps among other things including heavy breathing and strange sniffing and clicking sounds made by the raptors is also present in the background noise in the kitchen.  This creates a constant intensity during the scene as we are unaware when the raptors will have the opportunity to attack and pounce. The tapping on the floor of the spoon connotes that Lex is trying to grasp the attention of the raptors and to distract them purposely in order to save her brother.

At the end of the scene when the characters Lex and Tim have both been able to temporarily defeat the raptors, there is a sudden dip in the music to a calmer quieter variation of the soundtrack but it is quickly returned to the fast paced and tension building music as they realise that they have to leave as quickly as possibly showing that they are still both in potential danger.  

In conclusion of my sound analysis, the scene from 'Jurassic Park', the Raptors in the Kitchen, creates due to its sound an intensity that would not have been achieved without sound, the areas of silence and breaks from the non diegetic soundtrack returns back to the focus of Lex and Tim and also on the diegetic sound effect of the props used within the scene. The meaning of the sequence is established mainly by the thrilling orchestral soundtrack which changes throughout but still manages to connect to the images on screen when watching.  All of the sound effects and soundscapes together anchors the meaning of the sounds to frighten but to also intrigue the audience to continue watching.