Elements of SuspenseElements of Suspense

1. Although the visual elements of 1. Although the visual elements of the the suspense dramasuspense drama are the main are the main focus, what other elements add to focus, what other elements add to

the development of the climax?the development of the climax?

SoundSound

LightingLighting

Make UpMake Up

Editing TechniquesEditing Techniques

2. Camera angles play an 2. Camera angles play an important roll in focusing important roll in focusing the viewer’s attention. the viewer’s attention.

How does the director use How does the director use the following angles?the following angles?

Close UpClose Up

Eliminates any scene distraction Eliminates any scene distraction and focuses on the reaction and and focuses on the reaction and

or emotions of the actor.or emotions of the actor.

Tilted Tilted

Indicates that something is not right. Indicates that something is not right. Adds to the mystery.Adds to the mystery.

Low angleLow angle

Gives the person or object a superior Gives the person or object a superior position.position.

High angleHigh angle

Shows the person or object in an Shows the person or object in an inferior position.inferior position.

3. Lighting plays an 3. Lighting plays an important role in adding to important role in adding to

suspense. What are the suspense. What are the purposes of the following purposes of the following

lighting techniques?lighting techniques?

Bright daylightBright daylight

Indicates that things are normal and Indicates that things are normal and all the scene elements are out in the all the scene elements are out in the

open to see.open to see.

Low lightLow light

Adds some mystery to the scene Adds some mystery to the scene because some things are hidden.because some things are hidden.

Directional lightsDirectional lights

Helps to indicate the location of the Helps to indicate the location of the scene. Also the light is used to focus scene. Also the light is used to focus the viewers eye where the director the viewers eye where the director

wants them to look.wants them to look.

Low angle sourceLow angle source

Gives the actor(s) an eerie look. Gives the actor(s) an eerie look. Shadows hide facial features and Shadows hide facial features and

disquise emotions. Used in all Classic disquise emotions. Used in all Classic Horror movies.Horror movies.

High angle sourceHigh angle source

Causes heavy shadows and used to Causes heavy shadows and used to indicate some type of stress.indicate some type of stress.

Back lighting Back lighting

Used to silhouette the actor(s). Used to silhouette the actor(s). Conceals identity and facial features. Conceals identity and facial features. When combined with front lighting, When combined with front lighting,

adds a hallo effect and gives the adds a hallo effect and gives the actor(s) an angelic look and sets them actor(s) an angelic look and sets them

apart from the background.apart from the background.

Hard lightsHard lights

Produces heavy shadow areas. Produces heavy shadow areas. Shows hard facial features. Used to Shows hard facial features. Used to

show hostility. Features the “bad show hostility. Features the “bad guy”. guy”.

Soft lightsSoft lights

Softens facial features. Used to Softens facial features. Used to show warmth and friendliness. show warmth and friendliness.

Features the “Good Guy”.Features the “Good Guy”.

4. Tell me how important you 4. Tell me how important you think the sound is when used to think the sound is when used to build the suspense of a scene.build the suspense of a scene.

Paragraph starters:Paragraph starters:

I think The sound enhances what we see I think The sound enhances what we see by…..by…..

the sound is very important because…..the sound is very important because…..

It also adds to the……It also adds to the……

The volume of the sound track is The volume of the sound track is important because it……important because it……

5. 5. What are some audio What are some audio tricks that the director uses tricks that the director uses

to help the scene move to help the scene move along?along?

•Eerie soundsEerie sounds

•Low volumeLow volume

•High volumeHigh volume

•Off key musicOff key music

6.6. What roll does the What roll does the strength, or volume, of the strength, or volume, of the

music play?music play?

It helps to stimulate our emotions It helps to stimulate our emotions in conjunction to the visual in conjunction to the visual

effects.effects.

7.7. In what way does Make-In what way does Make-up add realism to the up add realism to the

scene?scene?

It helps to make the actors It helps to make the actors more believable and realistic.more believable and realistic.

8. How did the director 8. How did the director use all or some of these use all or some of these elements in the elements in the “Twilight “Twilight

Zone”Zone” shows that we shows that we viewed? Explain your viewed? Explain your findings in a complete findings in a complete

paragraph.paragraph.