PT 2 planning - suspense techniques

Suspense techniques

After completing our Preliminary Task 1 and moving on to planning for our Preliminary Task 2, we are looking at ways we can increase the suspense of films-as this is the purpose of a thriller. As a group we have watched the following video on techniques as to how we can achieve this....

The video explains that there are three things which are necessary to generate suspense..

1. 😮Time- how long we wait for the conclusion
2. 💣Stakes- gives the outcome weight
3. 💬Uncertainty- informs our level of anticipation

Important pointers from the video: 

Sometimes, moments that are quiet (with minimalistic non-digetic sound), slow and dragged out can prove to be the most effective in building suspense. 

Using close ups wisely can prove very effective as it focuses on the emotions that the person is feeling, conveyed through their small movements- like the clenching of a jaw or fist. These small movements could otherwise go unseen if they were just displayed in the seen with no emphasis made on them.

 

Using the angle of the camera to make the person feel closed in, inferior, or superior- These include "tight camera shots," low angled shots and high angled shots.

This technique goes hand in hand with how the character is lit. When lighting the character from above shadows are cast on the beds of their eyes making them seem of a dark nature and superior. Furthermore, when only lighting half of the characters face it could prove that they are suspicious or hiding something.

When planning we have really put the focus on building suspense through our SOUND and our CAMERA SHOTS. This is because we are filming during the later ours of the day after the sun has set and it is almost dark, meaning our lighting will not have that much effect as for most of the film opening the characters will be inside their own car. However, this presents us with the perfect opportunity to use the tight camera angles and close up shots to build the suspense of the chase.