12.2 Horror and suspense editing techniques

Horror and suspense editing techniques are all about manipulating the audience's emotions. Editors use pacing, rhythm, and timing to build tension and create scares. Jump cuts, jarring transitions, and sound design work together to disorient viewers and heighten fear.

These techniques are crucial for crafting effective horror films. By strategically controlling the flow of information and playing with audience expectations, editors can create a rollercoaster of emotions. The goal is to keep viewers on edge, alternating between tension, shock, and brief moments of relief.

Pacing, Rhythm, and Timing for Tension

Strategic Manipulation of Pacing

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• Pacing in horror editing refers to the speed and tempo of cuts, which can be strategically manipulated to build tension, create jump scares, or provide moments of relief
• Slow pacing and long takes can be used to build tension and anticipation, making the audience anxious about what might happen next (The Shining's long Steadicam shots)
• Rapid, frenetic cutting can create a sense of chaos, disorientation, and panic, heightening the intensity of horror sequences (the climax of The Evil Dead)
• Deliberately holding on shots or delaying cuts can create a sense of dread or impending danger, as the audience is forced to confront unsettling imagery or anticipate a scare (the basement scene in The Silence of the Lambs)

Rhythmic Patterns and Contrast

• Rhythm in horror editing involves establishing patterns of shots and cuts, then deliberately breaking those patterns to unsettle the audience and create a sense of unease
• Contrasting calm, slowly-paced scenes with sudden, rapid bursts of action or violence can create a shocking and unsettling effect for the audience (the murder scenes in Psycho)
• Timing of cuts is crucial in horror editing, as strategic cuts on action, sound effects, or visual reveals can greatly enhance the impact of scares and suspenseful moments
• Establishing a rhythmic pattern of editing, then abruptly breaking that pattern, can startle the audience and heighten the impact of a scare or reveal (the clapping game scene in The Conjuring)

Jump Cuts and Jarring Transitions

Disorienting and Shocking Cuts

• Jump cuts are an abrupt transition between two shots that are visually similar, creating a sense of disorientation or unease. They can be used to startle the audience or convey a character's unstable mental state (the dream sequences in An American Werewolf in London)
• Shock cuts are sudden, unexpected transitions to a dramatically different or disturbing shot, often accompanied by a loud sound effect. They are used to create jump scares and jolt the audience (the hallway scare in The Exorcist III)
• Smash cuts are a type of shock cut that abruptly transitions between two starkly contrasting shots or scenes, such as cutting from a peaceful scene to a violent or chaotic one (the opening of 28 Weeks Later)

Subliminal and Nonlinear Techniques

• Subliminal cuts involve inserting a brief, almost imperceptible shot or image into a sequence, which can create a sense of unease or dread without the audience consciously registering the image (the flashing face in The Exorcist)
• Jarring transitions, such as whip pans, snap zooms, or rapid, disorienting camera movements, can be used to create a sense of chaos, panic, or shock during intense horror sequences (the found footage style of REC)
• Nonlinear editing techniques, such as flashbacks, flash-forwards, or fragmented narratives, can be used to disorient the audience and create a sense of uncertainty or dread (the time-bending structure of The Babadook)

Sound Design and Visual Editing

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound

• Sound design in horror films involves creating and manipulating audio elements, such as sound effects, music, and dialogue, to enhance the emotional impact and atmosphere of a scene
• Diegetic sounds, which originate from within the film's world, can be used to create a sense of realism and immersion, as well as to build tension or signal potential threats (the ticking clock in The Innocents)
• Non-diegetic sounds, such as music or sound effects added in post-production, can be used to manipulate the audience's emotional response, create jump scares, or underscore the tension in a scene (the iconic score in Halloween)

Synchronization and Manipulation

• Strategic use of silence or the sudden absence of sound can create a sense of unease, anticipation, or dread, as the audience becomes hyper-aware of the film's soundscape (the quiet moments in A Quiet Place)
• Synchronizing sound effects or music cues with visual cuts or reveals can greatly enhance the impact of jump scares or shocking moments in horror editing
  • For example, cutting to a startling image on a loud sound effect, or timing a musical sting to a sudden visual reveal (the orchestra hit in Carrie)
• Sound bridges, where audio from one scene carries over into the next, can be used to create a sense of continuity, build tension, or signal impending danger (the overlapping screams in Suspiria)
• Manipulating the quality or characteristics of sound, such as pitch, volume, or distortion, can create a sense of unease, disorientation, or dread, enhancing the overall atmosphere of horror scenes (the distorted baby monitor in Insidious)

Horror Editing Techniques for Tension

Building and Releasing Tension

• Establish a sense of normalcy or calm before introducing elements of horror or suspense, using slower pacing and longer takes to lull the audience into a false sense of security (the opening scenes of Rosemary's Baby)
• Use shot composition and framing to create a sense of unease or vulnerability, such as placing characters in vulnerable positions, obscuring potential threats, or using unsettling camera angles (the low-angle shots in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre)
• Employ visual foreshadowing and misdirection to build anticipation and manipulate the audience's expectations, hinting at potential scares or threats while withholding the payoff until the most effective moment (the use of mirrors in Oculus)
• Strategically use sound design to build tension and signal impending scares, such as gradually increasing the volume or intensity of background sounds, or introducing subtle, unnerving audio cues (the approaching footsteps in It Follows)

Crafting Effective Scares

• Create jump scares by setting up a moment of tension, then abruptly cutting to a shocking or startling image, often accompanied by a loud sound effect (the closet scene in The Ring)
  • Avoid overusing jump scares, as they can become predictable and less effective if employed too frequently
• Maintain a sense of suspense by withholding information, obscuring threats, or revealing details gradually, keeping the audience engaged and anxious to see what happens next (the unseen menace in The Blair Witch Project)
• Vary the pacing and intensity of the editing to create a dynamic and engaging experience, alternating between moments of tension, shock, and relief to keep the audience on edge (the basement sequence in The Descent)
• Collaborate closely with the film's sound design team to ensure that the visual editing and audio elements work together seamlessly to enhance the overall impact of horror and suspense scenes