Planning Editing
Editing styles are important to include within a thriller film because the editing is one of the key elements that help to create suspense, shock and surprise in a thriller - which is important as it makes a film more successful. These 3 elements alone engage the audience and make them build a relationship with the characters in the film. Therefore, the different uses of editing make the film more interesting as using a filter for example, is different and not what an audience is used to viewing. This makes them want to watch more, keeping then engaged and captivated in what they are watching.
Within my group, we made sure than we planned the editing for our sequence carefully as this is an element that will cause great impact to the audience. This is evidence of our planning:
One type of editing in which we will use is a montage. We will use this style of editing in our sequence when the protagonist is having flashbacks from previous times in the sequence and also when the protagonist discovers pictures of herself that the antagonist has been taking (without her realising). We will use it in these places to - particularly the flashbacks as they are included to represent character's feelings and thoughts and so, create a build up of suspense and tension from the quick speed of the shots juxtaposed together - which is what we intend. This speed will reflect the victim's emotions - the flush of panic that immediately overcomes her. It will allow the audience to feel hooked as they have to pay more attention to the close detail that is in the scene. This creates a relationship between the victim and audience especially in the discovering of these 'stalked' photographs as the audience feel sympathetic towards Chloe. Audiences also sense foreboding they feel weary of the character who has been taking the pictures of Chloe. A montage is conventional to the thriller genre as it is a great way to create variation, and build suspense and surprise. Also, it can be used to build up to a climax which will create more of an impact as more shock will be created. Moreover, it emphasises the panic that the victim is feeling and this then creates more of an impact on the audience as this feeling is reflected onto them, making them empathise with the character more. It's important to have this relationship between the characters and the audience as it keeps them gripped to the scenes that roll on screen - this is why it is conventional to the thriller genre.
Another use of editing in our sequence will be filters. This will be used throughout to make the scene appear darker than it actually is. Having the scene darker, makes things in the scene such as characters more unrecognisable and restricts the view of certain objects. This creates a tense atmosphere and makes the audience fear the unknown as their view is slightly distorted, leaving them in suspense - exactly what we want them to feel. This will help to make our thriller conventional as from the unknowing of what may be lurking, a tense, suspenseful atmosphere is created which makes the audience feel on edge. Furthermore, the audience will feel more empathetic towards the characters (the victim in-particular) as they are witnessing the same as the characters themselves. Therefore, they are in the same situation and feel the fear that the characters feel too. The audience also get that feeling where they get a sense of foreboding but don't know whether to look at the screen or not - this is a typical convention in a thriller as to how the audience are intended to react.
Reaction shots will also be used throughout our sequence. They will be evident when the protagonist/victim sees the antagonist properly for the first time. We will use it here to represent accurate expressions of the victim and so build a relationship between the audience and the victim. The use of a reaction shot allows the audience to see the expression of a particular character in reaction to an event that has just occurred. Therefore, the audience feel tense as they won't know what the victim has seen specifically (which creates suspense), they have to infer and judge from the victim's facial expressions. Reaction shots will help to make our sequence conventional to the thriller genre as in many thrillers, numerous and frequent events occur. With this in mind, reaction shots allow the expression of every character affected to be auctioned into the limelight. The audience then have a feel for every character affected and especially from a tragic, scary sight, the character's are demonstrated as weak and fearful which makes the audience feel sympathetic towards them. This makes a relationship between the characters and audience easily formed as they are able to witness the character in a more direct way, seeing what makes the react in certain ways. Furthermore, reactions of the characters may shock, surprise or cause the audience to feel suspenseful - 3 main elements that should be created to ensure a thriller is successful.
A rewind sequence will also be evident in our sequence. This will be when the flashback occurs - the rewinding of certain parts in the sequence will make up this rewind sequence. We will use it here as it allows the audience to see what the victim is feeling leaving them hooked on the scene but also empathetic towards this character. Moreover, there is a better understanding of the character from the audience's point of view because they feel more personal to them. This rewind sequence will also be fast-paced which will cause a tense atmosphere and represent the quick build up of the emotion of panic that the victim is feeling. The way that the sequence is being visibly rewound escapes the sense of normality and so the audience feel hooked as it's unusual and different. However, it is still conventional to the thriller genre as many thrillers are psychological and show rewind sequences in flashbacks as it shows a great insight into the complex mind of a complex character. Furthermore, it allows the audience to reflect on previous events in the sequence that they may not have payed attention to as intricately after the first viewing. Therefore, what is in the rewind sequence or what the rewind sequence compliments in the scene may shock or surprise viewers which is important because these elements are conventional to the thriller genre.
I have found planning our editing very helpful as it will prepare us for the actual editing of our sequence, giving us direct insight as to what we need to make sure we do. As well as this, we are able to recognise the reasons for why we are including each chosen editing technique and what effects and impacts on the audience in which they will have.
Reaction shots will also be used throughout our sequence. They will be evident when the protagonist/victim sees the antagonist properly for the first time. We will use it here to represent accurate expressions of the victim and so build a relationship between the audience and the victim. The use of a reaction shot allows the audience to see the expression of a particular character in reaction to an event that has just occurred. Therefore, the audience feel tense as they won't know what the victim has seen specifically (which creates suspense), they have to infer and judge from the victim's facial expressions. Reaction shots will help to make our sequence conventional to the thriller genre as in many thrillers, numerous and frequent events occur. With this in mind, reaction shots allow the expression of every character affected to be auctioned into the limelight. The audience then have a feel for every character affected and especially from a tragic, scary sight, the character's are demonstrated as weak and fearful which makes the audience feel sympathetic towards them. This makes a relationship between the characters and audience easily formed as they are able to witness the character in a more direct way, seeing what makes the react in certain ways. Furthermore, reactions of the characters may shock, surprise or cause the audience to feel suspenseful - 3 main elements that should be created to ensure a thriller is successful.
A rewind sequence will also be evident in our sequence. This will be when the flashback occurs - the rewinding of certain parts in the sequence will make up this rewind sequence. We will use it here as it allows the audience to see what the victim is feeling leaving them hooked on the scene but also empathetic towards this character. Moreover, there is a better understanding of the character from the audience's point of view because they feel more personal to them. This rewind sequence will also be fast-paced which will cause a tense atmosphere and represent the quick build up of the emotion of panic that the victim is feeling. The way that the sequence is being visibly rewound escapes the sense of normality and so the audience feel hooked as it's unusual and different. However, it is still conventional to the thriller genre as many thrillers are psychological and show rewind sequences in flashbacks as it shows a great insight into the complex mind of a complex character. Furthermore, it allows the audience to reflect on previous events in the sequence that they may not have payed attention to as intricately after the first viewing. Therefore, what is in the rewind sequence or what the rewind sequence compliments in the scene may shock or surprise viewers which is important because these elements are conventional to the thriller genre.
I have found planning our editing very helpful as it will prepare us for the actual editing of our sequence, giving us direct insight as to what we need to make sure we do. As well as this, we are able to recognise the reasons for why we are including each chosen editing technique and what effects and impacts on the audience in which they will have.
This post demonstrates good planning techniques, which is evident through the editing styles that you have selected to write about. The styles that you have written about demonstrates a clear understanding of editing styles and how you have visualised your opening sequence.
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