Deconstruction of music and sound effects

The use of sound in Film Noir

For my deconstruction I decided to look at old and modern film noirs and compare how they used sounds. 

Retro Film Noir: The Maltese Falcon (1940) 

Music/soundtrack (Non-diegetic sound) 

• Dramatic non-diegetic jazz-like trumpets and stringed music plays during the beginning, but slowly fades out when their discussion starts. Essentially this creates the sense of anticipation before Mr Spade enters the room, as it lends mystery to events that will unfold after he steps in.

•  It also plays again at the end, after Mr Spade slams the door, except this time it's louder and stops, then becomes more triumphant and high pitched. As a result, it intensifies the tension and establishes the climax of the scene.
  

The Big Sleep (1946)

Sound Effects (Diegetic sound) 

This was a very good example for sound effects: 

• First thing you can hear cars screeching and breaking along the street outside, there's also foot steps of people scattering on the street though it becomes softer once the man is inside. This conforms to the conventions of sound in film noir as most scenes take place along the street.   
• Rain and thunder can be heard throughout the diegetic dialogue, then the use of pathetic fallacy develops the mystery which suggests something ominous is about to happen, creating anticipation, as he seems to be doing a stake out.   
  

Modern Film noir/neo-noir: Sin city 2 (2014)

Music/soundtrack (Non-diegetic sound) 

• During intervals of suspense when the men are putting in their poker chips, some ominous string music is playing especially in the beginning. However, when the man opposite the senator puts down his cards high pitch strings are playing, which also creates tension. 
• As soon as he takes the chips over to his side, a brief base starts to play and again after he wins the game, however by the end it implements more of a jazz beat because it has a chime of a ride cymbal which is used in jazz. This is used to underscore the success and triumph of the man, as it's a more uplifting.

• a sudden but subtle drum rhythm plays as the senator looks up after being insulted.            

Sound Effects (diegetic sound)

•  Much emphasis is on the sliding of the poker chips, as you can hear these clearly over the non-diegetic music.    

 

• Sounds of battle-like chanting that seem to be coming from outside the building which can be heard in a room connecting to the room where the game is being played, in parallel editing. Yet, this cannot be heard when there is a cut back to the scene poker table, and the chanting comes to an abrupt end.
• In effect, it creates a certain isolation of the poker room as well, as secrecy as sounds of the outside can't be  heard from the outside suggesting that this is the case vice versa establishing an element of danger. In addition the woman who is observing from the other room is portrayed as a predatory,as she hinders the privacy of the location by hiding herself and spying on them, and the fact that she's in frame with the chanting outside reinforces her character as an outsider and therefore she is dangerous.     

 

 

Comparison

 The sound example in the retro noir examples encompass the essence of sound from that time period in which the film was made, such as the jazz music and typical urban sounds of the busy street e.g. cars passing. However in Sin City 2, the modern film noir or neo-noir conveys the same archetypes of non-diegetic soundtrack though it's use of low base strumming in certain parts of the extract, but uses more dramatic high pitched string sounds to address parts of tension.