Dawn Of The Dead - Sound Analysis

The first use of sound is a piece of non-diegetic sound. It's a high pitched screeching sound, it's used as the protagonist walks out to the ambulance. This creates a redherring because the audience expect something to happen when really it's just a paramedic doing his job.


Then once the protagonist leaves her work place and is on the way home, there is a diegetic sound of a song called ' have a nice day'. This is ironic because the opposite is about to happen. But there is a television in the background which tells the audience that they've got an ordinary lifestyle. While they are in the shower the television turns to a news bulletin which makes the audience feel anxious as of what's happened because the main characters don't realise what's going on around them. The audience think that the characters might be in danger as they don't know what's happened. When the alarm clock is shown it is all silent then suddenly the time flicks which could mean that the time is of some importance. Once again there is a non-diegetic sound that is tense and slow which makes the audience drawn in and creates anticipation when the camera changes it's angle it creates a loud bang which makes the audience jump a little. This continues as the camera tracks into their bedroom, there is then a diegetic sound of a door opening which tells the audience that they are not alone and that they are in danger. The music then changes to a fast up beat sound track which creates tension for the audience. There is then a diegetic sound of his neck ripping once they pull the little girl off him. It shows off the horror genre within the film. There's then a ticking noise in the back ground which shows that she's running out of time and fighting against the clock it makes the audience feel nervous for the protagonist. The soundtrack then stops when she realises that her partner is dead and then the soundtrack starts again when she realises her partner has come back from the dead. Once she runs into the bathroom it then goes quiet which shows she's a little bit safer there however it then creates tension as the music starts back up again. There is then a sting when the ambulance hits the man over, which makes the audience jump. There is police and ambulance sirens in the background which signifies danger. There is then the same soundtrack playing throughout the scene until the opening titles appear.


While writing this essay I have learnt that sound is an important code throughout a film as it helps the audience identify the way and which the film is progressing and moving on.