In the film Clown Train how does sound contribute to the atmosphere of this film? Describe what you heard?

The sound in this film is vital in the film, determining the genre, the style and theme of the story’s narrative.
The choice to begin the film with pure sound and no visuals is already hinting to the viewer that, not only is sound key but also, it sets up a dramatic and perplexing ambiance. This choice is not often used, however it is fantastic at establishing a location. The screeching of the train on the tracks is rather echoed, which again establishes the train is underground. The atmosphere just from that decision changes the mood completely, having a very different affect is the train was at an open station.
When the visuals do appear, the location is dimly lit, with the volume of the sounds significantly reduced.
As the clown and man begin to speak, there is an eerie background track playing, representing the rising tension and unease at the circumstance at hand. This is further heightened when the lights go out momentarily with the sound of this emphasized.
Already, the scenario seems fearfully odd, being secluded on a halted train that is between stations and having a clown ( a character that can strike fear in some) as the only fellow passenger.
The lights flickering are reoccurring, with this sound amplified, again building the fear in the audience.
The audio that was played earlier, the chilling music in the background, is used when the clown begins to tell his “joke”. As the story progresses, the atmosphere becomes more and more intense, typical of a thriller/horror film, and mysterious sounds such as the knocking become more frequent. This is so the suspense keeps building and the audience can’t help but be gripped at what may happen next.

Can you make reference to another genre film and how they utilise sound to create tension and a unique filmic space?

I find it hard to choose one singular movie, because in many thrillers or horrors, the sound and music is just as, if not more important than the acting at times. Have you ever been watching a thriller, alone, at night, your parents are out, you became so encapsulated in the film that as the music is rising in tension, you put it on mute because you become so scared and suddenly, your heart rate drops 50 beats?
I remember watching ‘When A Stranger Calls’ when I was younger, and it happened to be whilst babysitting- not the smartest choice I have ever made. I was terrified and should have changed the channel but I wanted to find out what happens, so I watched the latter half of the movie on mute. A lot of the tension and drama was lost just by simply omitting the sound, proving just how much of an effect sound has in a film.