The Avengers: Sound

PREP Watch the first 10 minutes (after the title sequence is over) of The Avengers on Clickview. Analyse how sound is used in the extract to create meaning. You can use any part of the opening scenes - both the opening scene at the seaside at Little Bazeley or the scene in Emma Peel's flat

• first identify an example - use terminology such as diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound, dialogue.
• then give the example - " Little Bazeley is constructed as a seaside village through realistic sound codes such as..."
• "One example of how sound is used is when Steed makes conversation with Emma Peel..."
• then explain what meaning is created - "In the exchange of dialogue between the fisherman and the undercover agent who arrives from the sea they talk about...... which creates suspicion and comedy because....."
• "Steed's dialogue reveals his accent and shows that he is..." "What Steed says to Emma Peel suggests that he feels in charge because...." /  "Emma's comment about the coffee and cream show that..." / "Emma's throwaway comment about having just finished a scientific article shows that..."

The Scene where Mr Steed and Miss Peel are introduced:

The episode begins with very cheerful music, which is ambient sound, or non-diegetic sound, and the sound of an umbrella pressing a doorbell, which is known as diegetic sound, as it is happening in the world this TV show is trying to portray. It is also very quiet for a while, as in not having any dialogue for around 5-10 seconds, before panning up to one of our main characters, and then we get our first lines. This is most likely because it is the start of a new series for this show, and most programmes like to introduce the characters as late as possible, to build suspense.

The reason such cheery music is played at the beginning, is because it tells the reader that there is nothing to fear, and that these are trustworthy people and places. If the music was less cheery, and more dark, it would be like saying that these characters are dark.

The first 2 lines of dialogue in this episode is "Good morning Miss Peel," and "Good morning Mr Steed", therefore it introduces the characters right from the start. These two people clearly know each other well enough for Steed to show up at her door, but it makes the audience question how they know each other, and creates a hook for them to keep watching. These two lines also show that these two are very formal, and are in a place of importance, as they address each other as Miss and Mr. They also both have formal accents, telling the audience that they are quite proper, and are from London. All of this tells the audience so much about Miss Peel, before even showing the character on-screen.