Research into editing styles

Slow editing

During the walk towards the window the editing is very slow (timing of shots), this is showing the caution and showing how weary the protagonist is, this makes the audience doubt what the protagonist is doing and creates suspense within the audience because they are expecting something to happen but unsure of exactly what, this allows for surprise/shock due to the tension helping build this. This style of editing is typical in thriller movies and is constantly used to create suspense, the long, slow build up let the audience know something is about to happen but we don't know when and then it surprises us when there is a jump scare, this helps the audience build a relationship with the protagonist as the audience can see the position the protagonist is in and the fact that it is going extremely slow shows the anxiety the protagonist is feeling, the audience become extremely sympathetic towards her and her situation.

Reaction shot

After she sees the antagonist at the window the reaction shot is used, this shows the protagonists fear and along with this makes the audience fearful as well, the protagonist is clearly frightened and the audience know she hasn't got control of the situation, this causes shock to the audience as they realise the true danger the protagonist is in, it also helps the audience build a relationship with her as they feel sympathy toward her, hoping she will escape. The reaction shot is used a lot in thrillers as it shows the audience how the character feels and also the audience often copy the emotion, most will be frightened at this stage, the reaction of the character shock/surprises the audience due to them thinking she had more power due to the weapon she is holding.

Fast editing

In the scene where the protagonist is running, trying to find a place to hide the editing is fast (timing of shots), this is portraying the panic she is feeling and her heartbeat beating rapidly, the protagonist is desperately trying to get away from the antagonist, this creates suspense as to whether she will escape from the antagonists or not, the audience create a relationship with the protagonist, they are fearful for her and hope she escapes, they also feel extreme fear toward the antagonist due to the clear power they have over her, fast editing is constantly used to show the victim trying to escape, it shows the panic and fear they feel and also makes the viewer feel like she is escaping when in reality the antagonist is right behind her, this is conventional as thrillers constantly try to use this style of editing to keep audiences on the edge of their seat, they feel like the protagonist is finally getting the upper hand, escaping, yet the antagonist is still close behind them, it shows the true and almost alien like power these antagonists have, helping create fear within the audience.

Linking shots

Linking shots is used when the protagonist is walking towards the window after hearing a noise, this editing style creates suspense as they realize the character is weary and cautious, creating a doubt in their mind as to whether she is going to be safe and the audience have now guessed that something is about to pop out which will shock the audience, this is constantly used in thrillers to put the audience on the edge of their seats just before a scene which is made to scare the audience, this creates the maximum effect for shocking the audience.












The reaction shot is used when the protagonist screaming is shown on screen, this surprises the audience as they were not ready/expecting that kind of reaction, they realise how much danger the protagonist is in and feel extreme sympathy for her, they also fear the antagonist even more as the protagonist is clearly petrified of the antagonist so the audience assume there is a danger there, making them weary of the antagonist.

Shot reverse shot is used when he goes back and fourth between the protagonist and the antagonist, this is used to show the reaction of the protagonist in comparison to the antagonist, the sheer calmness of the antagonist shows complete superiority and puts the audience in suspense as to what will happen to her due to her being so inferior, also the audience are shocked as to how much power the antagonist has considering that they are not even inside the house and the protagonist has a lethal weapon, this makes the audience extremely fearful of the antagonist due to the sheer power and domination, they become scared and extremely cautious of this character.

This will help me with my opening sequence as it will give me some inspiration for editing styles, before this I was struggling to decide which editing styles to use, but now I have a clear idea on which editing styles will be most effective in my opening sequence and why they work and when they should be used and how they help the audience build a relationship with the character, for example, I will be using fast editing to show when the protagonist is running from the antagonist, this creates suspense and shows the audience that the protagonist is in danger, giving the antagonist power over them.