Listening to meditative sounds in film: an exploration of emotional guidance for the audience

This dissertation explores the role of meditative sound in film and its influence on emotional guidance and audience immersion. In contemporary film sound design, meditative sounds subtly evoke introspection, calm, and deep emotional resonance, yet their narrative significance is often overlooked. By analysing three distinct films - Nomadland, Arrival, and Her - this study examines how different auditory environments, from natural landscapes and silent cosmic expanses to futuristic electronic soundscapes, shape the perceptions and emotional responses of viewers. Employing psychoacoustic analysis, the research focuses on features such as low-frequency sound waves, rhythmic repetition, ASMR-like auditory triggers, and the strategic use of silence. The findings reveal that meditative sound design creates emotional balance, fosters psychological intimacy, and enhances immersion by constructing sonic spaces that guide audiences into states of relaxation, introspection, and emotional openness. These techniques significantly impact narrative engagement and emotional experience. The dissertation concludes that meditative sounds are intentional, integral elements of cinematic storytelling, offering filmmakers subtle yet powerful tools to shape audience emotions and perceptions. It also encourages further exploration into the integration of psychoacoustic principles within sound design practice.