The editor of Jordan Peele’s horror film Us discusses how he uses rhythm in his editing process: And, while the two terms share similar meanings, they’re quite different when it comes to filmmaking. You can’t talk about pacing without talking about rhythm. Finding the Right Rhythm Match cuts and other editing techniques help with the rhythm of an edit, as seen in Us. You can read more about how A Quiet Place used (and didn’t use) sound in its edit in this article.Ħ. The film is notable for its lack of dialogue, yet renowned for its intense use of sound design and effects to tell a suspenseful horror story. A perfect example of how sound design can help establish a film’s pace is found in John Krasinski’s 2018 horror film A Quiet Place. Soundtrack and sound design-both of these audio elements are crucial when developing a horror film’s mood, theme, and pace. And, while many directors work directly with editors to piece together their films, a good editor should have a strong understanding of these different filmmaking techniques and how they can help build tension and suspense. Then, it’s the editor’s job to make the best choices for when and where those shots are used in order to create pacing that ramps up the tension and suspense. When it’s time to actually get down to filming, directors and cinematographers will often shoot an array of options for each scene, including variances in shot types, lenses, and other compositional elements. Image via Orion Pictures.Īt every step along a horror film’s production timeline, the ultimate goal is to build tension and create suspense. Creating Tension and Suspense Tension in a horror film is created by both the characters and storyline, as seen here in The Silence of the Lambs. The film’s pacing is really what develops the suspense, with each act perfectly placed in sync with each other, all culminating with the infamous chest-burst scene.Ĥ. One of my favorite examples of how pacing and story can come together to create something terrifying is the sci-fi/horror crossover Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O’Bannon. At the very least, you should have a basic understanding of storytelling traditions before you try to break the rules of the three-act structure. Horror films most often follow the principles of the Hero’s Journey to help outline their plot and structure. Let’s explore the editing ins and outs that make the horror genre click.īuilding upon the previous point, your pacing will be tighter if you have a firm grasp on the tenets of storytelling. While there are indeed many elements that make horror films what they are, ultimately it’s the pacing created in editing that’s going to keep your audience on edge long after the end credits have rolled. That feeling is dread, creeping or otherwise, and it’s the product of editing. What is that feeling? And how do you harness it for your own horror film and video projects? It’s a feeling that convinces you, even though you know better, that there’s got to be one more scare to come. It’s something more existential and heavy, something you can’t easily shake off. The horror classics, they keep you up at night and give you pause at odd times during the day. Let’s explore how pacing can create a feeling of dread that keeps your audience on edge and fully engaged.
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