Time Persists
Dialogue:
There is dialogue but it is very limited and there are only a few lines at the end right before the kids and the adults fight. However, there are a few scattered lines throughout such as the counting and the seeker trying to find the hider. There is almost always another sound effect over the dialogue. However, when there is speech is is easily heard and the main focal point. The pace of the dialogue is pretty slow due to it not being dialogue focused. Since there isn’t much talking there are not many edits during lines. However, there are cuts to show responses to dialogue, such as when the two sides are lined up looking at each other.
Effects:
There are lots of effects heard throughout the film. Mainly being from the setting and the noises the people are making outside of regular speaking. For example in the beginning the prominent sounds are the xylophone being played, crunching of leaves from walking, and the whispers from the counting. However, there is also other sounds that add to the plot such as the sword sound effect. Even though it isn’t entirely necessary, it adds to the realism of what the “kids” believe. They think that what they are doing is real. Due to all of the really high quality sounds outside of dialogue being pulled together at once is a rather creepy and serious tone. It makes a rather fun a playful concept really serious and dark almost, making it more tense even though many of the sounds are playful.
Music:
The only music is the simple xylophone being played, as well as the girls playing jump rope singing a little jumping song. The xylophone is played at a very slow pace, as well as the singing having a slower pace, adding to the tension. The music is always in the background as to what is happening, except for the music at the very end over the credits, but even then there are credits being shown, its not just the tune. The slow and non extravagant music being played during the film adds to the creepiness and tension as to what is happening. Even though the kids are just playing, that bit of music turns the scene into a very tense situation, which works with the overall meaning of the piece.
Literary and Theatrical Elements:
The sounds serve the drama by making a rather playful concept very serious and eery due to the simplicity and innocence of a lot of the sounds, such as the xylophone. Also, since it is in the woods and furthers the almost horror like aspect of giving up being a kid to be an adult. It makes the viewer become more attached to the situation and feel like this is a very dangerous scenario.
Joe
Dialogue:
There is no dialogue in this film. The only thing that slightly resembles dialogue is a person laughing for a brief second.
Effects:
Many of the sounds being played are very loud and overtop of each other. For example, when the main character firsts walks into the main lobby room and sits down you can hear his shoes, wheeling of a bed, and others. The most prominent sound throughout the film is the sound of the footsteps and the scrubbing of the shoes because the persons shoes are the main focal point for him. Due to the sounds being so loud for what someone would actually hear in the situation, it makes you feel like you are going crazy, which fits because it is likely it is taking place in a mental hospital.
Music:
There was music at the very end of the film to close it out. It is a slower song that sounds countryish with some vocals. However, the vocals are not saying many words, only really sounds. The music is the forefront because the screen goes black and you can only hear the music. It is added to in my opinion show the main characters peace and satisfaction with his new shoes. The whole film was focused on him and his shoes trying to clean them and have them be nice. At the end he finally gets that, stares at the camera with a content look, and the music starts playing.
Literary and Theatrical Elements:
The biggest thing that the sound adds to is the fact that every little sound feels like it is turned up to 11, making it feel like it is right in your head. This adds to the insaneness that I think it is trying to portrait. The sounds due give an emotional response, especially when the person next to the main character is drinking what appears to be lotion. Because the sound is so loud and clear it makes the viewer have grossed out response to it. Also, because the film is in black and white it really adds to the sounds because the viewer has less to focus on. I think if it was in color it would take away from the focus on the sounds. As mentioned, the sounds reflect on the thematic element of being insane by having all of the generic sounds so loud and clear while not having any talking.
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