Suspense is one of the significantly most important features of modern horror films, it is used to entice an audience and engage them throughout the build up in the horror film until a dramatic climax is reached. ‘Suspense’ is reached in many way, some complex some simple. A few examples of how it is achieved would be either music, a heavy orchestrated build up in the background or sound effects. Alfred Hitchcock played a very important role in the great development of suspense. Further way for ‘Suspense’ may be achieved
Continuity throughout a film sequence is very important to the final outcome of the sequence. Continuity suggests that the series of shots in a film are physically continuous. The shot types and angles need to be continuous and should flow in a natural way so the audience don’t notices any non-naturalistic changes to the action in the shot or the surroundings. For an example some mistakes such as having a full pint of beer in one shot and an empty glass in the next shot. When creating our film we need to make sure we have no broken scenes or changes as this instantly distracts the audiences attention from the suspense and action.
A point of view shot is used in a way which the audience is looking though the eyes of the on screen character. The effective shot is normally used in horror films or thrillers as it portrays the sense of spying or someone but also the result of the shot may causes the audience to feel some uneasy and disorientated feel. This is an object which horror films are aiming to create. We will use this shot in our horror films as I think the shot is very significant and fitting with the genre.
The point of view shot can also be generated by using a mobile phone camera. Some of the shakiness effect of which the camera may create can be a positive to the shot as it could mimic the mobility of the observer.
Describe and explain the function of each of the following editing terms:
Dissolve-A dissolve shot is when one shot fades out while at the same time another shot fades in. During this shot both shots are on screen at the same time but visible through each other. This therefore creates a smooth continuity system. This shot could be used to create a link between two different objects in the shot. Or also used at the end of one scene and the beginning of the next. This shot contrasts with the shot where there is no such noticeable transition.
Cut- Cut is the most common from one shot to the next. This is known as a simple cut. Where rapidly one shot is replaced by another. The cut is effective in stringing the shots together. Especially when at eights of dramatic tension where you would not want the transition to interfere with the action taking place. The cut creates a natural, unconstructive where no discontinuity is felt.
Fade – This is another example of an important shot in the editing process. “fade” may also be known as “fade to black” or “fade out”. This shot transition creates a definite ‘closure’ to a section of the narrative. A shot even more emphatic compared to a “dissolve”.
Jump cut-A jump cut is a cut in which two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly. This type of edit causes the subject of the shots to appear to "jump" position in a discontinuous way. For this reason, jump cuts are considered a violation of classical continuity editing, which aims to give the appearance of continuous time and space in the story-world by de-emphasizing editing. Jump cuts, in contrast, draw attention to the constructed nature of the film.
What does editing do and how does it work?
How does the shot reverse shot help the narrative or generate meaning?
Editing is a feature of post-production in the process of filmmaking. This now today is increasingly using the recent digital technology. The film editor works on the raw film footage where they then select appropriate shots combining them together to create a finished motion picture.The effect the editing has on the final product of a film is incredible. It turns a basic footage into a mixture of layers including sound, dialogue, music and transitions. This therefore makes the end product flow smoothly and professional but mainly developing the motifs and generating meaning.
A shot reverse shot is used to show the interaction between characters. This shot is normally show in the scene thorough pairs of shots which all obey the 180˚ rule. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other. Also another example of this shot is shown in our Preliminary Task
How and why is the point of view shot used?
Why is the 180 degree rule important?
EDITING
In filmmaking the 180-degrees rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character will always be frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. If the camera passes over the axis, it is called crossing the line or jumping the line.
How else can the POV be generated?
What editing techniques are used to generate suspense?
Explain in your own words what the continuity system is?
Why is timing important in editing?
What is parallel or cross cut editing?
In the process of editing I think timing is another of the important features in making a film profession but also in order to keep the audience engaged throughout the sequence.
Why does editing strive to be invisible?
Parallel or cross cut editing was an early development of continuity especially increasingly popular in the 1900’s. This shot is between two or possibly 3 simultaneous actions which may be taking place in different locations. For example the princess is being captured by the villain and in a different location the hero is running to rescue the princess. This type of shot adds tension to the scene and engages the audience.
To make a fluid and natural film so the viewer does not notice the cuts is a very important in filmmaking in order to make the films look professional. An example of creating a natural flow which the audience doesn’t get distracted by would be to insert a “shot/reverse shot”