Apocalypse Now Sound Clip Analysis

Shot number	Technical sound description	Effects on meaning/sound
1.	-Off-screen non-diegetic sound (Sweeping-helicopter)	There is no image on the screen however there is a sweeping repetitive sound of a helicopter. This gives a sense of mystery and question to which situation the helicopter would be used for.
2.	-Sound bridge (sweeping/ helicopter) -On-screen diegetic sound (sweeping/ helicopter) -Off-screen non-diegetic sound (Sitar music)	There is a sound bridge for the sweeping sound of the helicopter, however it becomes on-screen diegetic as we see the image of a helicopter fly past the jungle. Following this the sound builds through the use of off-screen non-diegetic sitar music, which is pensive and mellow. The use of sitar sound adds to the context of the film, as this type of music was popular during the 1960’ s/70’s, which was when the Vietnam war took place. Similarly the sitar is an Asian musical instrument, which may add light to the setting of the film, as this scene on looks a jungle.
3.	-Off-screen non-diegetic sound (Singing- The Doors ‘The End’) -Sound bridge (Sitar music)	There is off-screen non-diegetic sound of singing “this is the end”. This parallels with the image on screen of the flames and burning jungle. There is also a sound bridge of the mellow, pensive sound which is contrapuntal as the scene is chaos however the tone is light, almost like the burning jungle is a relief. This confusion may set the premise for the film.
4.	-Sound bridge (Sitar music/ singing)	There is a sound bridge of the singing and sitar music. These mellow sounds reflect the characters upside down face, suggesting he is in a dream-like state.
5.	-Sound bridge (Sitar music/singing)	There is a sound bridge of the singing sitar music with the lyrics saying, “ no safety, I’ll never look into your eyes”. This parallels the image on scene as there in no safety in the burning jungle, and his eyes widen in fear.
6.	-Sound bridge (sitar music/ singing)	There is a sound bridge of the singing sitar music with the lyrics “the desperate man” showing he has been in a tragedy, which he was either directly involved in or caused. This tragedy could have been the fire, which is also emphasised by the image of him smoking. Similarly, there is a fan spinning around in the room above him, which may signify the helicopter blades. The lyrics also mention a “desperate land” suggesting that the country the burning jungle was in is war-torn or invaded.
7.	-Sound bridge (sitar music)	There is sound bridge of the sitar music, however it is now increasing in pace and intensity. The singing has stopped so all the focus is placed on the rapidly increasing music. This musical pace parallels the image, as there is spinning and numerous overlapping images of the burning, helicopter and jungle. This suggests confusion and disorientation of the character.
8.	-Sound bridge (sitar music) -Off-screen non-diegetic sound (Singing)	There is a sound bridge of sitar music, which has slowed down in intensity now as the off-screen non-diegetic sound of singing returns. The lyrics say, “lost in a Roman wilderness of pain”. This is emulated as the character is surrounded by presumably his possessions including letters and photographs. This suggests he is alone and not with his family and is in this dream like state due to the horrors he has faced and the want to return to his family.
9.	-Sound bridge (sitar music/ singing)	The continual sitar sound throughout this opening suggests the character has possibly been in this dream state for a while, as it is repetitive and almost soothing. This soothing notion has been added too by the images of alcohol and prescript drugs by his bedside.
10.	-Sound bridge (singing) -On screen-diegetic sound (spinning fan)	Sitar sound fades out to only the singing, and finally there is only the sound of the fan, which is significant of the helicopter. As the sound of the helicopter is alone, it shows it is powerful and highly significant. Following this, the sound of the helicopter causes the character to abruptly open his eyes, showing that this sound dominates his mind.
11.	-Sound bridge (spinning fan sound)	There is a sound bridge to the spinning fan, however, in reality it is a fan but in the mind of the character it symbolises the helicopter blades, which he associates with the terrors of what happened in the burning jungle.
12.	- Sound bridge (spinning fan sound)	The sound bridge of the fan is insistent and heightening in pace. This rouses the character and alarm appears in his eyes as he wakes up from his dream state and moves to the window to investigate whether it is the fan, or a helicopter.
13.	-Sound bridge (spinning fan sound) -Off-screen diegetic sound (character voice) -On-screen diegetic sound (street noise, cars etc.)	The sound bridge of the spinning fan gradually fades as the character opens the blind to reveal a busy street. The fan sound stops and the audience can hear the noises from the busy street. The culture in the image suggests the character is not from the country, which also supports the idea he is away from family and alone. The location is confirmed by the character’s voice saying, “Saigon, shit, I’m still only in Saigon.” Which also confirms that the film or scene is set in Vietnam, possibly during the war.
14.	-Sound bridge on-screen diegetic sound (character voice)	The characters voice stands alone to add important to what he is saying. He example how “every time I think I’m gonna wake up back in the jungle” this quote confirms that the character was part of the tragedy which adds meaning to the other factors, for example, the fan, alcohol and drugs. The sounds haunt him and the alcohol etc. is ways of coping with the pain.

Overall analysis of sound:

The sitar sound is an indication of the setting to the film- Vietnam, as is the song by The Doors, which begins to explain the pain the character has gone through and still goes through. The sounds within the room are reminders of the tragedy the character faced through war, and show how this has mentally scarred him. For example the fan resembling the helicopter. The overall tone of the sound is mellow and pensive, suggesting the character is in a dream- like state and cannot get over and stop reliving the horrors. This is state is added too by his intoxication and drug use, however it is a coping mechanism. From this task I have learned that sound can be used to add the the visual on screen and also make comparisons; for example, the sound of the helicopter is used also for the sound of the fan, making comparisons and linking the two visuals. I will aim to use this sound effect in my opening sequence by linking the same sound to two different scenes or objects.