Sound

• Diegetic Sound is sound that is heard by the characters on the screen, such as conversation.

• Non-diegetic sound is external sound which the characters on screen cannot hear, such as music or narration.  
  

 The Last King of Scotland

1. As the sequence begins, we as the audience hear the end of the  
    eerie tune of the accordion and well as the amplified sound of 
    crickets; this automatically makes the audience feel on edge as 
    though something bad is about to happen. This then fades into 

    the diegetic sound of birds chirping which seems to imply 
    innocence and contrasts the previous music, and helps to establish 
    the scene as a new day. We also hear the amplified diegetic sound 
    of the character walking into a house, such as his footsteps and 
    the key turning in the lock. 

2. Although we do not see the scene itself, the tone and style of the music used in this 

    piece adds a feeling of dread which helps to indicate that all is not well. the piece of 

    music used is slow and low, which is often used in horror films to create fear in the 

    audience f the upcoming events. 

3. As Nicholas picks up the photograph of himself as a 
    child, the music becomes softer and lighter which helps 
    add a more empathetic feel to the scene

4. As he notices the envelope the pace and tone of the 
    music changes, becoming slower and lower in bass; the 
    lower pitch of the piece adds a sense of dread to the
    scene and gives a foreboding feel towards the contents of the envelope.    

 
5.  As Nicholas opens the opens the envelope the music 
    changes dramatically; more instruments are included, the 
    tempo increases and the pitch is heightened. This speed 

    up in the music adds a sense of urgency and panic which 
    helps to portray Nicholas' feeling to the audience and 
    adds a sense of fear to the scene. 

6. The new style of music introduced sounds like whispers 
    which creates a feeling of 

    paranoia, and makes the audience feel that this is how 
    the character is feeling. On screen there are also blurred  
    and jumpy images which creates confusion and 

    anxiousness. The music also starts up again which is 
    quite fast paced and only contains two keys which adds a 
    sense of dread, such as the two signature keys in Jaws
    creates.