Scary Movie Sound Effects and Music.

Halloween is just around the corner, which means one thing: it's time to get scared! If you're looking for a good scare, you must watch a horror movie. But what makes those movies so scary? It's not just the visuals – it's also the sound effects and music. In this blog post, we will look at how moviemakers create scary sound effects and music, and we'll learn about atonal music. Are you ready to be scared?

The different types of sounds in horror movies.

One essential element of a horror movie is the sound. The right mix of foley (the art of making sound FX) and music can make even the most amateur production seem terrifying. Halloween wouldn't be the same without the eerie strains of a theremin, and everyone knows that the sound of a creaking door is enough to send a shiver down your spine.

But what exactly goes into creating the perfect horror soundtrack? For starters, foley artists are responsible for recreating all the non-diegetic sounds (Sounds not created by the actors speaking dialog) in a movie, such as footsteps, heartbeats, and environmental noises. They often use props, like chains or wooden boards, to create these sounds. In a recording studio, foley artists work with sound engineers to sync the audio with the action on screen.

Composers are responsible for creating the music in a movie, which includes any source music that the characters can hear. In horror movies, this might consist of ominous chords played on a piano or an unsettling leitmotif that keeps reappearing throughout the film. When scoring a horror movie, less is usually more - too much music can ruin the suspense.

By carefully crafting sound effects, foley artists and composers can create an atmosphere of terror that will leave audiences feeling scared long after they've left the theater.

 How sound effects are created and mixed.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of being scared out of your wits by a horror movie. Whether it's the suspenseful build-up to a jump scare or the eerie atmosphere created by sinister music, the sound is crucial to the success of any horror film. Foley artists are responsible for creating many unique sounds that we associate with horror movies, from creaking crooked footsteps to slamming heavy doors. In a foley studio, artists use an array of props and techniques to recreate the sounds that audiences hear on screen. 

From unsettling sound effects to spine-tingling music, composers have various tools for creating terror-inducing soundscapes. Often, horror movie scores will use atonal or discordant notes to create an unsettling feeling in viewers. These dissonant sounds are not typically associated with music, such as chains, glasses, metal sheets, or screams. In some cases, foley artists will record these sounds in a studio and then give them to the composer to use in their score. By combining foley and compositional elements, filmmakers can create truly horrifying soundtracks that will send chills down your spine!

Why is scary music so effective at creating a spooky atmosphere?

So, how is scary music made? A lot of it has to do with atonal music. Atonal music is a type of music that doesn't follow a specific tonal center. In Atonal music, notes sometimes don't resolve, creating a feeling of unease. When you hear atonal music, it might sound like the notes are just random – but there is a lot of thought that goes into creating this type of music. Composers will often use dissonance (when two notes clash) to develop a sense of tension. And if you're looking to get scared, they might also use "cluster chords." Cluster chords are when you play several notes close together, and they create a very

When most people think of scary music, they likely think of composers like Bernard Herrmann or John Carpenter. Herrmann's work on Psycho and Carpenter on Halloween is well-known for generating a sense of unease and suspense. But what about scary music makes it so effective at creating a spooky atmosphere?

One reason may be that scary music often violates our expectations. For example, we might expect a quiet, innocent-sounding melody to continue playing, only for it to be abruptly interrupted by a loud, jarring chord. This infringement of expectations can startle us and alert us more to potential dangers.

The use of silence to create suspense and fear

Silence can be as effective as noise when creating suspense and fear in movies. Silence is necessary for music; it separates the beats and creates a sense of time. Music, by definition, is the organization of sound and silence in a deliberate manner. So, silence creates space. But horror movies can do two things. First, it can make an audience member focus visually on a particular scene. Without the noise distraction, the audience will use more brain power on the visual element. If you put your hands over your eyes, you would listen more intently to your surroundings. If you cover your ears, your eyes become the primary sensory tool.

Secondly, using silence takes the audience out of the movie and puts them at home, which has a reverse psychological effect of enhancing the anxiety response. If things are too quiet, your hearing will increase to try to hone into any tiny sound possible. A crack, creek, or rustle can trigger the fight or flight response, thus making the surprise more adrenaline-fueled.

Examples of famous horror movie soundtracks.

Some of the most famous horror movie soundtracks come from classic Halloween movies. The original Halloween movie, released in 1978, featured a soundtrack composed by John Carpenter. The iconic theme song, which features a simple piano melody, has become synonymous with the holiday. The Halloween sequel, released in 1981, featured a more unsettling score by Carpenter and his collaborator Alan Howarth. The howling winds and discordant strings create an atmosphere of unease and terror that is perfect for setting the mood on Halloween night. Other popular horror movie soundtracks include The Omen (1976), Friday the 13th (1980), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). These classic soundtracks are sure to get your guests into the Halloween spirit.

Conclusion

So next time you're watching a horror movie or walking through a haunted house, take a moment to listen to the music. You might find that it's one of the key ingredients that make the experience so spine-tinglingly compelling. Another reason may be that scary music taps into our evolutionary psychology. Our ancestors lived in a dangerous world filled with predators and other threats. As a result, they developed an innate fear of sudden noises, which helped them to avoid being caught off guard by predators. Today, we still possess this fear of sudden noises, and when we hear them in scary music, it can trigger our fight-or-flight response.

By carefully choosing when to use silence and incorporating it into the movie's score, composers and producers can create an eerie atmosphere that enhances the viewer's sense of foreboding. Likewise, directors can use silence to heighten the impact of a jump scare or to draw out the tension in a suspenseful scene. Silence can be a powerful tool for creating an unforgettable cinematic experience when used skillfully.

 Dr. Mike Testa