The document analyzes the use of sound in a scene from the television show Pretty Little Liars. It discusses how non-diegetic incidental music is used to set the atmosphere and create tension. Diegetic sounds like character dialogue and ambient natural sounds are also used to inform the audience about what is happening and reflect the busy, hectic lives of the characters. Synchronous sounds like slamming doors and starting a car engine are employed to emphasize antagonism and drama between characters. The constant use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds keeps the audience focused on the dialogue while building suspense for what may happen next.

1. Sound analysis
Pretty Little Liars – Jenna’s Secret
The scene begins as we are introduced to the four girls; Hanna, Aria, Spencer and Emily.
Non-diegetic sound is immediately used; an eerie, peculiar type of incidental music which is
played in the background to set the atmosphere of the scene and create tension. Moments
later, diegetic sound is used in the form of the characters voices; this is dialogue as more
than two people are conversing which ultimately sets the perspective of the scene as well as
informing us about what is happening. Throughout the whole scene, non-diegetic incidental
music and scores are used combined with the diegetic dialogue of the characters which
foreshadows the upcoming, shocking truth which is yet to be revealed. Later on in the scene,
we see Hanna angrily approach Jenna (of whom is ‘blind’ - a sound motif of dangerous mood
music is usually represented by this character) and we can hear her footsteps asynchronously
as we only see Hanna in a mid-shot and not long-shot which would expose her livid footsteps
in sync with the diegetic sound of her movements. We can also hear a lot of ambient sounds
as they are in Pennsylvania, a busy city in America, therefore we are exposed to birds
chirping, traffic and the wind; the wind representing the pathetic fallacy of the situation as
wind represents danger and chaos, whilst the traffic reflects how busy and hectic everything
in their lives are as well as around them. We can then see the synchronous slam of the car
door, emphasizing Jenna’s antagonism and the upcoming argument that is about to take
place. We continue to hear Hanna’s footsteps asynchronously along with the dialogue of the
other main characters. Jenna is about to start her car; this is signified by the synchronous
sound of the car keys dangling around as she’s attempting to start her car, and once it starts
we can hear her driving and then come to a halt, with the asynchronous sound of her car stall
screeching, again, representing the anger. Jenna is abruptly stopped by Hanna who, again,
synchronously slams her hands down on the car to represent her extreme irritation with
Jenna. The constant use of synchronous sound is so that we can see and hear the thrilling
rage and resentment between the two characters which creates tension and drama within the
show. The scene ends by the diegetic sound of Hanna talking to Jenna, of which she doesn’t
respond.
In the next scene, ambient sound is immediately used to introduce the setting as they are on
an isolated road and all we can hear is the traffic surrounding them; foreshadowing the
drama and chaos that is occurring. Diegetic sound of dialogue is used; with the non-diegetic
mood music used again to create tension. These sounds combined are used throughout the
majority of this scene; this is so that the audience can focus solely on what the characters are
saying whilst still pondering about what could happen next. The scene fades out as the
dialogue stops, however the non-diegetic incidental music continues to end the scene and
leave the audience on a cliffhanger.