Letting Sound Tell The Story

 

Letting Sound Tell The Story

For my film opening, I want to create tension through sound. My film is about Triana, a flamenco dancer who pushes herself too hard. The sounds help the audience feel her struggle. Instead of music or the heavy use of dialogue, I let the dance make the rhythm.

The opening is fast, with quick shots of flamenco shoes, a red skirt, and the dance studio. Each shot has its own sound; shoes tapping, fabric moving, and deep breaths. These small sounds help set the scene before we see Triana fully. I am also thinking about adding the sound of a cajón, a wooden drum used in flamenco, to make the rhythm stronger in these opening shots. But the cajón would stop when she starts dancing, so only her movements create the sound. I am not sure about this yet, but it is an idea I am thinking about to set the rhythm in the opening. 

When she picks up her shoes and enters the dance classroom, the sound changes. Now, it is all about her movements. Her shoes tap, her cane hits the floor, and her breathing gets louder. As she dances, her heart beats faster, and the sound does the same. Her breaths get quicker, her steps get stronger, and the rhythm feels urgent. She keeps pushing herself, saying, "keep going, you can do this." But the audience can hear her getting tired.

The moment she collapses is the most important. After all the noise, everything goes silent. The rhythm stops. All that is left is stillness, maybe one last deep breath. The audience is left wondering what happened.

By using natural sounds instead of music, I want the audience to feel like they are with Triana. They hear every step, every breath, and every moment of struggle. The sound is not just in the background, it tells the story.

Here is an image of what a cajón looks like: