Technical Elements

 Soo, I've realized that it can be pretty hard to make a horror film. Considering I need to create suspense and tension in order to scare my audience. I'm not ready to give up on my idea, so I decided to research: how do you make a good horror film? The video I watched is here 

How cinematography, editing, and sound come together to create suspense: 

Cinematography: 

Every scene can be shot in different ways and they convey different meaning. For instance, looking up at a person (low angle) portrays dominance and looking down at a person (high angle) portrays weakness. A way to evoke suspense is to show a fear of the unknown. Using dark lighting, to create a sense that something might be there that we can't see, creates that fear. The "monster" could potentially be in that dark corner. Also, using a pov shot shows the perspective of the character, it creates a lotttt more suspense. Also, an empty space creates more fear, as if "something is missing". For my opening scene, I definitely plan on including tight shots (close-ups), dark lighting or using some type of flashlight, and some pov shots. 

Editing: 

Holding a shot that normally seems uninteresting, helps create some more fear. It'll raise flags and show that something is about to happen. Also, cross cutting could show the audience the danger, and the protagonist does not know. This is definitely a method I want to use for my movie. Also releasing tension keeps your audience on their toes. Adding a scene that calms your audience, brings their guard down and doesn't get them bored of the tension.   

Sound: 

Sound is very important to create suspense. Stings and foley sounds are the type of sounds I want to make and use. For instance, a floorboard creaking or scratching on the window is a foley sound I would incorporate in my film. Also, stings will be added in during a jump scare or leading up to the jump scare. They usually act a warning sound for the audience that something bad is about to happen. No sound at all, silence, also creates more tension for the audience, while they are having a fear of the unknown. It usually creates a tension that something bad is about to happen. 

Overall, of the elements come together to create a suspenseful scene, and are all elements I will consider and incorporate into my opening scene :)