How are the techniques of sound and music used for effect in Hollyoaks

In this excerpt of Hollyoaks sound techniques are used in order to mainly build tension. It helps with the build up of tension through use of many different techniques such as amplifying certain sounds for more dramatic effects. An example of this is at the beginning of the excerpt when we here certain deigetic noises being amplified, such as the sound of the leaves rustling, this creates a build up of tension as we know they are in the forest and this could potentially be a place for danger, this amplified sound makes the audience aware that they are in a slightly dangerous situation, it is useful for dramatic effect. Max’s voice is also amplified during this excerpt, we hear him shout for Tom. This technique is used for effect because it instantly makes the audience more aware of Max’s fear at this moment in time, it also makes it knows that Tom is in a dangerous situation, this is technique is useful for a build up of tension here as yet again it makes us aware of a dangerous situation.

Diegetic and amplified sounds are also used when we see Max fall into the water, the splash is extremely amplified and we also here in detailed the sounds of the bubbles, the use of sound being amplified here adds to the tension that wants to be created, it also adds to the danger, it almost makes the audience seem as though they are in the situation themselves, because a close up of the water is shown on screen at the same moment we here the amplified splash, it makes it all seem much more realistic to the viewer.

The use of non-diegetic sound is also used for effect during this excerpt as after every time someone shouts or after a realisation that something dangerous has happened, we hear the sound of trumpets playing, now this sound is quite high pitched and actually quite jumpy, and at this moment in time it is exactly how the excerpt wants people to feel. You cannot see the trumpets playing, they are not actually part of the scene but the fact that you can hear them is still a factor needed within the scene as it useful to create a sense of drama. This music also gets faster and louder through out the scene to add to this build of tension. The sound of trumpets is also quite a creepy sound, it is quite alert, and this represents how the character of Max and Obe are feeling when you hear it. It is not necessarily a sound you here when you see a character which his up to no good.

Throughout the whole scene the music is generally quite synchronous, it doesn’t tend to sound out of place for example when Max is in the water and we see him trying to stay afloat the music isn’t light, calm or happy, it is generally quite fast, loud and very dramatic again building an extreme amount of tension when we hear it. The music then goes quite calm and sad when Max’s ‘death’ is apparent to the viewer. It is quite sad and reminiscent to suit what has gone on within the action. When action is happening the music generally goes quite fact to keep the audience attentive and to know that what is happening is eventful until we meet a dramatic climax in which the music has been building up to. We also see contrast when the action turns to sadness when the dramatic event has happened, such as Max’s apparent death here.

Sound Motifs are also used to full effect during this scene as when we see the character of Clare stood above Max and watching him drown, the sound of trumpets stop and the music changes to quite dark and weary music when we see her, this tells us even more so that this character is bad. The music establishes the fact that she is a character you should be quite afraid of within this excerpt, it establishes on top of what is scene on screen. It seems like when ever you see this character the music will change, making it a motif for the character of Clare. You will see that this type of music disappears when Clare has been punched, her sound motif disappears and the weary music stops. This therefore means that the characters within the scene are no longer in any danger as this character has been knocked out and cannot harm anyone, there fore her motif stops.