Hollyoaks Sound and Music clip

Identify how sound and music techniques are used in the Hollyoaks clip ‘Clare Tries To Kill Max’

This scene is very short, but several effective techniques of sound have been used to help in building the fast pace of panic, and to set the mood of being frightened and panicing.

Many sounds are amplified, possibly to make it seem more realistic, as these noises you would hear quite loud if it was yourself doing what the character is. For example, the heavy breathing has been amplified, as has the rustling of the leaves on the trees, and the rubble on the ground, it has all been made to sound louder so that it can be more realistic to the viewer. An important sound which was amplified was the sound of Tom hitting on the car window. This was also non-diagetic as it was not within the shot scene, and could be heard well. Therefore the importance of this sound is very significant, as the reaction to him hitting the car window creates panic to Max as he struggles to keep himself up in the water.

The noise of the water when Max dives in is created so that you feel as if you are in there with him. They took out the ambient sounds of the forest, so that it seemed more realistic, as if you were in the water I doubt you woul be able to hear much else but the water.

An instrumental dramatic piece of music is quietly played behind the scene for most of the beginning. This is used so that the pace can be built up slowly, and the forecoming events can be predicted. It then stops as Max managed to reach the surface, confronting Claire.

All sounds are muted except for an instrumental piece of music, which is played to change the focus of the scene onto Obie. This piece of music is asynchronous, as it sounds like it is a cheerful, uplifting piece of music, but the scene and situation is the opposite, as Max is drowning and Tom is stuck in the car. This music could be a sound motif, relating to Obie as he is saving Max from drowning. He is therefore the hero figure in this scene.

The main reason for applying the music and muting the character’s voices, the ambience, and the sound effects could be due to how it was meant to create drama, but now that Obie appears and runs to save Max, there is no need for it to still be included, as it would become invaluable to the rest of the scene. The reason for this, is that the drama has been created, the tension and pace have been built, now all that is needed is to watch the events which happen as Obie saves Max, so that it can be taken in, rather than having too much going on.