Research Analysis- creating suspense within scenes...and other effects.

Lately us as a group have been thinking about methods that can create suspense, which will be a key feature of the trailer that will be producing. As a group we have sat down and brainstorm the curial elements when having suspension in a film.

music

After watching some classic murder scenes from various films for example psycho ( Hitchcock) and Scream etc we have realised that when the protagonist is about to get murdered or be attacked the music becomes more upbeat and tense. Normally this is from the killers point of view for example if they were running towards their victim, but in some cases like in psycho for example the victim is in the shower and is not aware that the killer is approaching, only the audience is aware.
Although after searching through videos one had grabbed our attention, the clip boated below which is one leading up to the murder scene, what is different about this is that instead of music taking up most of the attention instead it is natural sound this being whistling etc.

it becomes aware to us that by using natural noises is just as good as it with music, but also we noticed that key parts within that film the temo of the whistling changed and resulted in a build up of suspense, were the viewers would just want the character in bed to wake up edging of their seat! Although when the nurse character walks out after getting changed it completely changes and music starts to come in emphasizing that it is important and that something serious is going to happen!

- Timings
After watching horror murder scenes closely we as a group have realised that the scenes are made up out of a large number of different shots and crossovers and that if we want our trailer to look more professional, therefore using the codes and conventions that major media film companies use such as 20th century fox and Touchstone if we want to pull this off, stated below is the timing requirements we will have to meet in order to create a realistic, professional and effective trailer.

* All the trailer that I have looked at are no more than 3:00 the shortest trailer that I have come across and still make the film look more impressive is the new Alice in Wonderland which will be embedded in my market analysis research.

* Must consists of a minimum of at least 50 shots to create a professional look even if its done on a hand held camera.

Alfred Hithcock- Psycho 

Within one of our media lessons we starting brainstorming about how we can create suspense in our film for our viewers. So we started watching clips from the famous remake of the film psycho starring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates, additionally as a group we among as we de-constructed his character and looked at the traits which makes him to weird, abnormal and unsociable, this would influence our murderer's character in our film. 

When sitting there watching the film we fast tracked to the "eating scene" when looking at this scene we saw how little things such as props could build up immense suspense for example when Norman Bates tells marion about his hobbies, we saw his lack of social skills and social conducts that has just completely hasn't got like when he stares at her, this for us was inspirational in terms of how to portray our killer!

Secondly the murder scene was another scene that we looked at and evaluated, this scene was of vital importance to us, as when creating our own murder scene we want to make it as real as possible and want the emotions to be there and not make it into a funny thing when it is initially meant to be serious. So what I individual leant from this scene was:

* the number of shots in order to create the suspense (65)

* the close up of the eye shot to create not only shock but also empathy.

* the use of fake blood used in a way to make it look realistic.

* the way the camera is used so you never see the killer actually stabbing the victim, you only hear the sounds. 

* how effective but simple the leg shot is when the blood is flowing in the water.

* the concept of never seeing the killers face, leaving the viewers pondering- is that really the mum or him dressed up? as we have never truly seen the mum.

* the house of the over the shoulder shot when the killer is about to attack the victim only the viewer can see him approaching her, this is probably the one which creates the most suspense!

* the way the victim falls against the shower wall behind her the blood stains in a trail.

* the noise affects are original but work really well like the screeching sounds with the knife.

* the way the victim holds on to the shower curtain and losses grip emphasizing how fatal it is.

* the use of the shower-head and it's role within the scene.

* the use of the panning and static shots to convey different moods etc was critical and we will be using these sort of techniques in our film.

Incorporation into our trailer and general ideas and notes for our trailer.

-Can give the victim a sense of false security which we will include in our film- Since all the girls he murders are in their homes with locked doors, and one in the bath, thinking nothing could go wrong.

- Pacing of music and breathing (heaving breathing of the murderer as he is about to commit this act)

- The idea of having blood running. Like in the water from psycho. Also I have been thinking about the idea of having some of his victims blood running/spreading out of their clothes, i had this idea when watching a clip from the VMA awards 2009, when lady gaga is preforming paparazzi, which is a video about a celebrity getting killed, hence when preforming it live she acts it out by having a blood bag in her costume which then pierces  and the blood leaks and spreads creating a really realistic,  surprising effect.