Silence, soundscapes, and the psychology of guilt
In DNA, silence is a sound effect! Dennis Kelly uses long, agonizing pauses—especially when Phil is eating. Top band students discuss how to make that silence feel heavy. Do not just say "it goes quiet." Discuss how the absence of sound forces the audience to hear the uncomfortable rustling of the actors, or how you would use a low-frequency bass drone to make the silence feel vibrating and tense.
When Phil is silently eating and ignoring Leah, the sound design should cut completely. This diegetic silence is agonizing. To heighten the tension, you could introduce a non-diegetic, low-frequency bass rumble (almost like a heartbeat or a distant generator) that vibrates in the audience's chests, making the silence feel heavy and threatening.
Use these pre-structured sentences in your exam to instantly hit the top marking bands for sound justification.
| Design Element (What) | Impact Justification (Why) | Key Terminology |
|---|---|---|
| A sudden snap to absolute silence when Phil speaks, underscored only by a non-diegetic, low-frequency bass drone. | The silence forces the audience to lean in, giving Phil terrifying authority. The bass drone operates on a subconscious level, creating a feeling of physical dread and tension that mirrors the gravity of his masterplan. | Non-diegetic Low-frequency Drone Silence / Tension |