Deconstruction of Sound in Insidious' Titles

Deconstruction of Sound in Insidious' Titles

Insidious was released in April 2011



• The titles begin with a woodwind  and percussion noises which are centred on continuing high and low pitches.
• At around 00:17 the low pitch sound become more prominent over the high pitched and becomes a lot thicker in individual texture.
• A high pitched whistle noise enters at 00:24 accompanied by a sound similar to a gong which is sustained suggesting the suspense that the upcoming film is going to offer.
• At 00:35 the high pitched whistle enters again at two different pitches. These carry on at wavering pitches till 00:48 seconds where they reach a higher pitch then fade out until at 00:54 the low pitch is well established again, this implies that it is ever changing and you cannot be sure what is going to happen next.
• At 01:01 a sound like a creaking door is prominent over the rest of the music, this takes the listener by surprise and puts them on edge as they don't know what they will hear next for the coming sequence
• After the sound, strings play quick separate quavers which then move into single bowed phrases which are repeated in a descending scale and separated by sudden sharp changes to repeated high notes. This shows the sense of panic and chaos that may ensue in the film.
• At 01:19 a face is seen in the darkness and the music decrescendos to silence.
• At 01:22 the string music quickly crescendos and the titles 'Insidious' are shown on screen which shocks the listener.
• At 01:30 the sound decrescendos to silence again.
• Between 01:32 and 02:05 the music stays pretty level using strings quietly occasionally increasing and decreasing in dynamics when a name was shown.
•  Between 02:06 and 02:33 the upper strings say the same and the main melodic line is taken by the lower strings. This suggests an underlying darkness or mystery.
• During 02:07 to 03:32 there are underlying string chords that remain constant throughout the time, accompanying short phrases that crescendo then decrescendo when a name is shown on screen. These are constituted of strings pitched lower than the accompanying strings using tremolos.
• At 03:33 a drum beat rolls off to fade out accompanied by strings ascending a scale, ending the credits.

This shows that the music used in Insidious consists of multiple sounds which are not always present throughout the sequence. The use of dynamics also add effect and link well to what is happening in the titles. A multitude of sounds create an interesting texture and variety.