Closed captions as identity markers (leitmotifs)

When the same nonspeech caption is repeatedly associated with a specific character or recurring context, it comes to serve as a kind of leitmotif for that character or context.

In classical music, especially the operas of Richard Wagner, a leitmotif refers to a musical phrase, melody, or flourish that is associated with a specific character or situation. The leitmotif can (re)introduce characters and situations as well as support recurring emotional contexts. In Star Wars (1977), for example, composer John Williams created musical themes for a number of different characters (Luke, Leia, Yoda, Darth Vader, etc.) and different settings (battles, fanfares, and marches). In literary works, leitmotifs are word phrases or patterns that are thematically linked to specific characters or settings.

Similarly, nonspeech captions can link specific words or descriptions to specific characters at a level that is only available within the captioned viewing experience. For example, in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), (guttural croaking) is repeated twenty-two times over the course of the movie and always in the context of the Predator’s animalistic noisemaking. No one in the movie utters the word guttural or croaking; these words only exist in the captions. Sometimes, viewers encounter the captioned description before they see the Predator. Given that the Predator is usually couched in darkness and sometimes resembles little more than a foreboding dark outline, (guttural croaking) becomes an identity marker as much as a description of a nonspeech sound. The recurring caption is the Predator’s leitmotif, as it repeatedly announces his presence in the narrative.

Source: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, 2007. DVD. Featured caption: (guttural croaking).

A visual timeline marking each reference to (guttural croaking) in the caption track for Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem

Every instance of (guttural croaking) in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). DVD.
Caption No. Start Time Caption
22 00:02:46,321 (low, guttural croaking)
68 00:06:18,366 (guttural croaking)
121 00:09:52,179 (guttural croaking in distance)
286 00:20:14,902 (guttural croaking)
292 00:20:41,528 (low, guttural croaking)
300 00:21:25,038 (guttural croaking)
420 00:31:07,153 (guttural croaking)
422 00:31:13,660 (guttural croaking)
443 00:32:29,936 (guttural croaking)
446 00:32:50,123 (guttural croaking)
452 00:33:26,159 (guttural croaking)
510 00:37:57,930 (guttural croaking)
542 00:40:40,593 (quiet, guttural croaking)
726 00:53:07,506 (guttural croaking)
730 00:53:32,264 (guttural croaking)
783 00:57:33,705 (guttural croaking)
811 00:59:36,261 (guttural croaking)
1012 01:09:07,498 (guttural croaking)
1079 01:13:14,478 (guttural croaking)
1175 01:20:10,293 (guttural croaking)
1302 01:27:15,618 (guttural croaking)
1335 01:28:46,075 (guttural croaking)

A compilation of 22 frames from Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). Each frame features a 'guttural croaking' captionSource: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, 2007. DVD. All 22 instances of (guttural croaking). Because the Predator is always couched in darkness, (guttural croaking) serves to announce his presence and define his identity when he can’t be seen clearly.

For additional examples and discussion, check out my book, Reading Sounds: Closed-Captioned Media and Popular Culture.

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