THE AVENGERS: SOUND

PREP Watch the first 10 minutes (after the title sequence is over) of The Avengers on Clickview. Analyse how sound is used in the extract to create meaning. You can use any part of the opening scenes - both the opening scene at the seaside at Little Bazeley or the scene in Emma Peel's flat

• first identify an example - use terminology such as diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound, dialogue.
• then give the example - " Little Bazeley is constructed as a seaside village through realistic sound codes such as..."
• "One example of how sound is used is when Steed makes conversation with Emma Peel..."
• then explain what meaning is created - "In the exchange of dialogue between the fisherman and the undercover agent who arrives from the sea they talk about...... which creates suspicion and comedy because....."
• "Steed's dialogue reveals his accent and shows that he is..." "What Steed says to Emma Peel suggests that he feels in charge because...." /  "Emma's comment about the coffee and cream show that..." / "Emma's throwaway comment about having just finished a scientific article shows that..."

At the very start of The Avengers the first thing we hear is the diegetic sound of the seaside; the wind, the waves and seagulls. This immediately sets the scene of a seaside village. After a few seconds non-diegetic music accompanies the sounds of the seaside, it is tense and loud letting the audience know that not all is right and that this is no ordinary seaside village. The use of intense and loud music interrupting the comforting and familiar sounds of the seaside rises worry and anticipation is the audience, capturing their attention and sparking their curiosity.