Sound effects as a genre-defining factor in submarine films

Abstract

Submarine films can be regarded as a genre with a specific semantic and syntactical structure that heavily depends on the acoustemological nature of submarine warfare. The sound design in submarine films therefore has decisive dramatic and emotive functions. The article presents the sound effects most specific to submarine films and discusses the creative potential they offer both as diegetic sounds bound to submarine existence and as emotive cues with an immediate effect on the audience.

Keywords

• submarines
• sound design
• Das Boot
• Hunt for Red October
• Hostile Waters