Conventional Editing
A conventional editing technique used in thrillers would be jump cuts. Cross cutting is a key point in editing as it is used to build suspense which is essential for a thriller. A quick succession of
fast-paced short clips will disorient an audience. However, continuous editing could also be used to help the audience understand the film better. Quick cutting with
fast moving clips creates a pace in which the audience starts to believe
that everything on screen is being performed in haste which results in them feeling a
sense of urgency and panic. It’s best to use the quick pace, short style when
there is a lot of action taking place and more than one perspective to
see. An example of fast pace editing would be 'Shaun of the Dead' (Dir. Edgar Wright, 2004).
Another editing technique which is conventional in crime thrillers is elliptical editing. This is when time is cut out of the film to maintain the films excitement. Therefore, unnecessary or boring parts of a scene are cut out. Elliptical editing is used to keep the audience engaged at all times so when a thrilling scene comes on by surprise, the audience is paying attention and it has a much larger affect on them than it would if they wasn't paying attention. Therefore, elliptical editing helps build suspense and adds to tension in a scene. An example of how Elliptical editing has been used is in 'Batman Begins' (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2005).
An additional editing technique used in thrillers would be graphic matching. Graphic matches are used in thrillers to help connect two scenes together, which would otherwise be seen as unrelated. These can be very effective in thrillers as they can be used to emphasise the actions that have just taken place in a scene. For example, in 'Psycho' (Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1960) the drain is matched with the victims eye which emphasises that she is completely lifeless as blood drips down the drain.
Most films, including thrillers, use shot reverse shot. This is to alternate between characters while they're having a conversation. This is most commonly done with an over the shoulder shot, however canted angle shots and high or low angle shots can also be used for it. This is to convey the type of conversation they're having. An example of a shot reverse shot editing technique would be 'The Hunger Games' (Dir. Gary Ross, 2012).
Thrillers use fast and slow paced editing specifically to create suspense and tension within a scene. For example, slow paced editing is often used right before something big is going to happen, this creates suspense as the audience are waiting for it to happen, which will most likely make them jump and scare them. Slow motion editing is conventionally used in thriller films and is usually used to build suspense and to leave the audience eager to know what will happen next. Fast paced editing is usually used in action scenes, often between the protagonist and antagonist, this is to convey energy and sometimes anger within the scene. Quick shots and obtrusive editing are used frequently in thriller films to accentuate feelings of suspense and tension. Obtrusive editing in thriller films may evoke a sense of presence in unexpected ways or create disorientation.
Hot Fuzz (Dir. Edgar Wright, 2007).
Conventional Cinematography and Camerawork
The most typical camera shot used in thriller films seems to be close ups. Close up camera work are used to contribute to the urgency of a scene. Close ups are conventionally used on the protagonist character in the thriller film to show their emotions which will help the audience relate to them. An example of a close up shot would be 'Se7en' (Dir. David Fincher, 1996), which is used to build suspense
and mystery in the beginning.
Long shots have also been a commonality among thriller films. A long shot is used to stress the detail in the environment or setting of a scene. For example, a long shot is used in 'Terminator 2' (Dir. James Cameron, 1991), to set the scene and show the audience where the action will be taking place in the upcoming events of the film.
Another conventional shot used in thrillers is low and high angle shots. Low angle shots are captured from a camera place below, looking up, which makes a character or object appear dominant, aggressive, or ominous. However, high angle shots is when the camera is above the subject, looking down. Therefore, the character or object looks weak, submissive, or frightened. High angle shots are also conventionally used as point of view shots of an adult looking at a child.
Another editing technique which is conventional in crime thrillers is elliptical editing. This is when time is cut out of the film to maintain the films excitement. Therefore, unnecessary or boring parts of a scene are cut out. Elliptical editing is used to keep the audience engaged at all times so when a thrilling scene comes on by surprise, the audience is paying attention and it has a much larger affect on them than it would if they wasn't paying attention. Therefore, elliptical editing helps build suspense and adds to tension in a scene. An example of how Elliptical editing has been used is in 'Batman Begins' (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2005).
Most films, including thrillers, use shot reverse shot. This is to alternate between characters while they're having a conversation. This is most commonly done with an over the shoulder shot, however canted angle shots and high or low angle shots can also be used for it. This is to convey the type of conversation they're having. An example of a shot reverse shot editing technique would be 'The Hunger Games' (Dir. Gary Ross, 2012).
Thrillers use fast and slow paced editing specifically to create suspense and tension within a scene. For example, slow paced editing is often used right before something big is going to happen, this creates suspense as the audience are waiting for it to happen, which will most likely make them jump and scare them. Slow motion editing is conventionally used in thriller films and is usually used to build suspense and to leave the audience eager to know what will happen next. Fast paced editing is usually used in action scenes, often between the protagonist and antagonist, this is to convey energy and sometimes anger within the scene. Quick shots and obtrusive editing are used frequently in thriller films to accentuate feelings of suspense and tension. Obtrusive editing in thriller films may evoke a sense of presence in unexpected ways or create disorientation.
- Montage editing consists of a series of short shots edited to condense time, space, and information. This is a technique in which two or more layers of films are playing simultaneously along side one another. This technique is often used during a 'thrilling' part of a thriller. One example of montage editing is in the opening scene of 'Hot Fuzz'.
- Flashbacks are commonly used in psychological thrillers. Flashbacks give an insight into a characters past and shows an important message, or helps to explain why the characters are the way they are. One example of a flahsback edit is in the film 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone.
Conventional Cinematography and Camerawork
Long shots have also been a commonality among thriller films. A long shot is used to stress the detail in the environment or setting of a scene. For example, a long shot is used in 'Terminator 2' (Dir. James Cameron, 1991), to set the scene and show the audience where the action will be taking place in the upcoming events of the film.
Another conventional shot used in thrillers is low and high angle shots. Low angle shots are captured from a camera place below, looking up, which makes a character or object appear dominant, aggressive, or ominous. However, high angle shots is when the camera is above the subject, looking down. Therefore, the character or object looks weak, submissive, or frightened. High angle shots are also conventionally used as point of view shots of an adult looking at a child.
An example of a low angle shot would be 'The Dark Knight' (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2008).
An example of a high angle shot would be 'Matilda' (Dir. Danny DeVito, 1996).
No comments:
Post a Comment