The Science of Silence: When and How to Use Quiet Moments in Videos

As a musician and producer, I constantly search for the right sound to fill empty moments in projects I’m working on. It’s a natural instinct to want to add something, whether it's a little guitar riff, a drum fill there, or a weird sound effect to fill the gaps between different auctions. The goal is usually to keep the energy flowing. However, I seem to need constant reminders that there’s power in not filling that space, and I’m always excited when I can make that work.

In the same way, filmmakers can use the sound of silence in movies to really enhance the moment.

It takes a lot of confidence to embrace quiet moments, though it works wonders in certain genres and types of content. While we often think of silence in real life as uncomfortable or unsettling, when used right in the context of the film, it can draw the viewer in and amplify the emotional weight of a scene. The tricky part is knowing when to use it.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of silence, when and how to use silence in your videos, and whether you want to create tension or highlight an important moment in a scene.

The Art of Silence

When I think of the use of silence in film, one director who instantly comes to mind is Martin Scorsese.

Known for his powerful use of music (think Goodfellas, Casino, or The Departed), he’s often celebrated for the soundtracks that define his films. But what truly stands out to me is his deliberate and masterful use of silence, which is just as important as the music he selects.

Take Taxi Driver, for example, where the quiet moments between Travis Bickle’s increasingly erratic thoughts speak volumes. Or the haunting stillness in The Irishman, where silence punctuates key moments of reflection and tension.

This video below does a wonderful job highlighting some of his most iconic times of trusting silence to do the work:

Of course, it makes you think that he must have known he’d be able to communicate just as much, if not more, than a powerful score or dialogue in those moments.

It takes someone confident to pull this off. Stripping away the sound means you’re really putting faith in your visuals, your actors, and the emotional weight of the scene. You must be certain that the silence still holds meaning and resonates with the audience. The question becomes: How do we communicate with no sound at all?

Why Do We Use Silence In Film?

Filmmakers use silence in cinema in various ways, often depending on the mood, genre, or message they’re trying to convey. Sometimes, silence is used to build tension or create space; other times, it acts as a simple cue to the audience that something important is about to happen.

1. Hone In On Visual Emotion

Silence has a remarkable ability to amplify emotions in a scene. When there’s no dialogue or music to guide us, the audience is left to focus entirely on the visual expression of emotion. It strips away the distractions, leaving raw, unfiltered feelings on display.

Take, for example, the iconic restaurant scene in The Godfather where Michael Corleone goes to take the gun he hid in the bathroom while silently contemplating the decisions he’s about to make. There's no music, no sound except the quiet hum of the world around him.

The silence draws us into Michael’s inner turmoil and highlights the gravity of his choices. The audience feels the weight of the moment simply through Al Pacino's quiet gaze, which makes the eventual eruption of violence all the more powerful.

2. Build Tension and Suspense

Silence is an incredibly powerful tool for building tension and suspense, especially in thriller and horror films. When used strategically, it creates a sense of unease that leaves the audience on edge and unsure of what’s to come.

Without the comfort of sound, every creak of a floorboard, every distant whisper feels amplified, and the anticipation grows heavier with each passing second. It’s the same reason why walking through a large house at night can be creepy.

I can’t think of a better example than A Quiet Place. The film relies heavily on silence, as the characters must remain quiet to survive in a world overrun by sound-sensitive creatures. In scenes where nothing is happening but the environment's stillness, the silence becomes oppressive.

It forces the audience to feel the weight of every tiny movement of each scene.

3. Focus on Inner Dialogue

Silence is a fantastic tool for getting inside a character’s head. When there’s no dialogue or music to tell us what to feel, we must focus entirely on the character’s expressions, body language, and environment. In these quiet moments, we stop and really think about what the character is experiencing and what’s going on beneath the surface. Silence invites us to reflect on their inner world, allowing the audience to connect with the character on a deeper emotional level.

Take Spike Jonze’s Her, for example. There are many introspective scenes throughout the movie, where Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is alone, reflecting on his emotions and the relationship he’s developing with artificial intelligence.

Some scenes are almost entirely silent except for the sound of his breathing and a few ambient noises. The lack of dialogue makes it even more intimate, as we are forced to focus on his expression and the emotional complexity of his feelings.

4. Contrast Sound

Silence can be incredibly powerful when used to contrast sound. In many cases, it’s not just the presence of sound that impacts the audience but the absence of it, especially when juxtaposed with moments of intense sound or music. The quiet moments draw greater attention to the loud ones.

Take the final scene in The Graduate, for example. Ben crashes Elaine’s wedding, and they run away together, infuriating both of their families. After a cacophonous escape, they make it on a bus, driving away toward a sense of newfound freedom. However, it’s not until a silent moment that they realize what they’ve just done.

5. Artistic Expression

Sometimes, silence in film doesn't need to have a specific reason or purpose. Sometimes, it's simply a stylistic choice. Filmmakers, much like musicians, use silence as a way to express something artistically, letting the absence of sound speak for itself. It's a choice that gives the audience space to interpret the scene however they feel, adding layers of meaning without the need for explanation.

Another great example is 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), where Stanley Kubrick uses silence during some of the most impactful on-screen moments. With this silence, you get the eerie quiet of space, which reinforces the vastness and isolation of the universe.

How Content Creators Use Silence

Silence isn’t purely a tool for filmmakers. Any kind of content creator can take advantage of its power and harness it in unique and creative ways. The trick is using it to your advantage, knowing when to pull back, and letting the visuals or atmosphere carry the message.

Think about how you consume videos on your phone. More often than not, you’re watching with the volume down or muted entirely.

In fact, around 85% of Facebook videos are viewed without sound. That means you’re likely experiencing these videos in silence or with only ambient sounds to accompany them. As a content creator, this offers a unique opportunity to communicate your message creatively. You can’t rely on a soundtrack to do all the heavy lifting, so you must make your visuals, timing, and pacing count. Silence allows you to experiment with those elements, creating a more immersive and engaging experience.

Communicating Without Sound

Sometimes, the absence of audio in a video doesn’t have to leave a void. Instead, other elements, like graphics, text, captions, or even animation, can fill the gaps and guide the viewer through the story. These components allow the audience to connect with the content, even when no spoken word or music provides context.

For example, graphics and text can be used to communicate key points. A text overlay on the screen can clarify a message, highlight an important moment, or even add humor in the absence of sound. Captions can also guide your audience to understand the story, even if they’re watching in silence or in a noisy environment.

I personally love silent time-lapses, as they allow videographers to compress hours of activity into a few short minutes or seconds, so viewers can digest complex information or long processes quickly without the need for sound. Whether you’re showing the DIU construction of a piece of furniture, a bustling city scene from morning to night, or a flower blooming, the lack of sound can make the visuals feel more powerful while conveying a sense of time and progress.

Animation can also play a big role here. In fact, animations often rely heavily on visual storytelling anyway.

Final Thoughts - Finding a Balance Between Silence and Sound

While silence is undoubtedly an art in film, so is finding the right sound. Whether you're using it to support a dramatic scene, build tension in a scary scene, or set the mood in a vacation vlog, the right music makes all the difference.

That’s where ProTunes One comes in.

With our huge library of background music tracks, finding the perfect match for your project is easier than ever. No matter what kind of content you’re creating or for what platform, ProTunes One offers a wide range of music that complements it all. And with our AI-driven search, finding the right track takes seconds, not hours.

Plus, ProTunes One makes it simple to use the music you love without worrying about copyright issues or sneaky royalties. Publish your work anywhere, stress-free. Whether making YouTube videos, podcasts, ads, or planning your next viral TikTok dance, ProTunes One adapts to your needs with flexible subscription plans.

Ready to take your content to the next level? Don’t settle for just any music — find the perfect track with ProTunes One and let your video speak louder than ever before!