Sound Deconstruction of The Woman in Black

This sequence is taken from the 2012 horror film The Woman In Black directed by James Watkins. 

• The sequence starts with non-diegetic sound consisting of a high pitched whirling sound along with occasional, quieter low-pitched drum beats (from 0:00) which plays in the background. This high-pitched whirling sound creates an instant eerie tone and creates suspense for the audience. The low-pitched non-diegetic drum beats also build tension and suspense as they allude to the climax on-screen. The single and double drum beats also hold some connotations of a heart beat which adds to the tension being created by the other sounds being played over the visual. 

• The diegetic mechanical sound of several automatons being started also begins at the start of the sequence (also from 0:00). These raw, metallic sounds contrast audibly with the high-pitched non-diegetic whirling sounds although they also add to the eerie and quite sinister feeling created within the scene. Children's automatons are commonly used in horror films, especially those set in the Victorian Era, to create eeriness and the sound they make add to the ghostly and mysterious effect. Some of these automatons create a more melodic and peaceful sound (e.g. 0:15) which is contrapuntal to the scary nature of the scene however again create eeriness. 

• Arthur Kipps, the main character of the film, mutters the words "Come on" under his breath at 0:25. The way the character says these words makes the audience feel the same anticipation as he does in the scene which adds to the general suspense of the scene.

• The exaggerated diegetic sound of Arthur Kipps' foot steps (0:45), which is heard after the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds of the background music and that of the children's automatons has stopped, conveys to the audience his anxiety due to the situation he's in. It also adds to the build up of tension and suspense as this is the main sound the audience hears as they watch the events unfold on screen.

• The non-diegetic sound which starts at 0:54 is similar to the high-pitched whirling sound featured nearer the beginning of the clip. This is the height of the clip in terms of suspense and reaching a climax and this very mysterious and sinister sound adds a huge amount of tension to the audience, especially when the scary visual plot line of this scene is taken into account. The low-pitched drum beats are heard again, however this time they get louder and create a crescendo, and is parallel to the suspense being created on screen.