Sound Anylsis-Apocalypse Now (Helicopter Attack)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vHjWDCX1Bdw

In the Helicopter scene of Apocalypse Now, there are various examples of sound which all create a dynamic effect that helps with the flow of the scene as well as making it impact the audience. In the beginning of the scene there is Diegetic On screen sound which simply means sound that matches the action happening in the film; also it is sound that we can see (People talking). In this part a conversation between soldiers is taking place.

 30 seconds into the scene we begin to see Off screen Non Diegetic sound, which is sound that cannot be seen but we still know the origin of it, during this a helicopter is covering and we hear a soldiers voice. More on screen diegetic sound is presented, at 0.50 we hear an instrument playing as the helicopters leave the base this is firstly on screen Diegetic and then moves to off screen when the camera is focused on the helicopter. In this scene parallel sound is also presented as the instrument matches the mood of the scene, as in preparation and beginning of the attack.

 Until 1.30 all we hear is helicopter noise and voices (Diegetic Sound), however from 1.30 we hear very discrete music which is parallel to the action of the scene, this is because the music suggests suspense and confusion, which I assume the soldiers would have been feeling. The effect is simply the massive suspense built while the audience would watch and the calm steady mood that would also be set. At 2.20 diegetic conversation is resumed, this breaks the suspense but also prepares the audience for the scene that is about to unfold.3.21 is a key moment in the scene as Parallel sound is presented with the famous music of the movie, it is parallel sound as the music attaches itself to the intense feelings of the characters, as well as the drama of the scene.

At 4.38 the scene switches to a school, the parallel sound has stopped and various diegetic sounds is presented from people and objects. This calms the excitement of the scene, and also shocks the audience when the intense parallel music is resumed at 5.11 which is a sudden change in sound from the calm peaceful school to the intense music being played, then at 5.39 the action begins with diegetic gunshots and other weapon sounds as the attack begins, other sound is blocked out or made discreet at this point to make the explosions etc sound harder.

07.18 The Parallel music is stopped and diegetic sound is heard from a conversation between soldiers after the first wave of the attack. At 8.05 the parallel music resumes and the action is put in place again. The second wave of the attack is in position and the parallel music matches the action in the scene as the soldiers prepare once more to eliminate the enemy, by doing this the advice would be captured by the music as ell as the action in the scene as they are matching it increases the dramatic effect of the violence.

At 9.16 all sound is slightly lowered to increase the effect of the solders screaming and pain, this is of course on screen diegetic sound. As other sound is made distort for a short amount of time, the soldiers’ pain and agony is made to be more important and increase the effect on the audience. At 13.19 off screen diegetic sound is presented as a soldier on the ground is communicated with a pilot in the plane or air crew. The reason I think it was made to be off screen, was too allow the audience to see the plane and feel the suspense.

Up until 16.20 Diegetic sound is present with various conversations and noises of planes etc., however at 16.20 music is played with personally I believe is parallel to the action as the music is energy and suspense building, it is almost preparing thru audience for the next scene. This happens until the end of the scene when at 18.02 it finishes.

Overall the sound used in the scene is amazing, it compliments all that is going on and builds suspense thought. Where I have mentioned exact timings of bits in the scene where different sound is portrayed, in between there is various Diegetic sound.