Editing is used in thrillers to increase the suspense, shock, surprise and tension within the audience. Different editing styles are used to create different effects on the audience. It helps to create a sense of enigma within the thriller genre. Some different editing styles are a reaction shot (any shot where a person reacts to the previous shot), a wipe (a part of the screen wipes away to show another part), a shot reverse shot (when a conversation is taking place and shots quickly follow one and another) there are many more.
A linking shot is used when the husband is walking towards the door with scratches on. The different shots include a close up of the mans face, the door, the scratches on the door and the man touching the scratches on the door. It creates tension as we don't no who the scratches are from and we don't no who is behind the door. Therefore this adds to the fear shown by the husband, for he safety of his wife. This sense of enigma is common in thrillers, so that the audience are always shocked and surprised. The flickering of shots from the man to the scratches make the audience fear the safety of the man. This is conventional to a thriller as it creates suspense by showing vulnerability of the characters, and tension is built up here as well as like in most thrillers we are unaware of what the out come for the victim will be.
There is a jump cut in this scene. This happens when the husband walks into the room and there is a sudden focus on the wife swinging a golf club at him. This creates tension as we know that the husband is not trying to harm the wife but she wont listen to him. Which shows the wife as unstable and this is represented by the continuous swinging of the club. As a result the audience fear the safety of both characters. The sudden focus on the wife portrays her emotions as fearful and scared. This is conventional to a thriller as there is a massive sense of enigma from the wife not knowing whether to trust her husband, this helps the audience to feel more involved with the characters as we see her fear someone she use to love. 
A shot reverse shot is used when the husband and wife are having a conversation, the wife is backing away saying that the husband is trying to kill her and the husband is trying to convince her that his not. This creates tension as we know the man is trying to help her but she won't listen to him. It also makes the audience question where the actually killer is, as the shots are going back and forth two innocent people and someone else is in the house. This could also show the vulnerability of both characters as they are both trying to do what they think is right but as we know they are making the killing easier for the killer by arguing with each other. This is conventional to a thriller as victims often try to save themselves but end out making the situation more of a struggle for themselves. 
A reaction shot is used when the husband sees the killer walking up behind his wife. We see fear in the man's face as he fears the safety of his wife. This creates suspense as the wife doesn't know that the killer is behind her, and the man immediately tries to help her but gets struck down. This lets the audience relate more to the husband as it shows his panic and that he wants to protect his wife not kill her. This is conventional to a thriller as victims mostly are unaware that they are going to be killed. This scene make the audience feel frustrated and tense as the husband was trying to help her but she doesn't believe him which results in her death. Editing helps thrillers to be successful and create tension within the audience. I now know how to use different editing style to create different affects on the audience and what sort of editing works within different content.
From this research i found lots of different editing styles that are used in all films including thriller. Before i had a limited knowledge about editing styles used in film however now i no a plethora of different styles that i didn't no before. This has helped me to realise and take notice of the techniques that i should use in my thriller opening sequence to help create shock, suspense, surprise and tension. The editing technique that I am definitely going to use in my opening sequence is a reaction shot as this keeps the audience engaged and helps them to feel more involved in the scene. I liked where this sequence used their reaction shot, so I would aim to place one in the same place in my opening sequence. Also I am going to use a jump cut as this creates surprise and shock within the audience, this helps overall to create tension. I could use this when the killer realises that the victim is escaping.
This post demonstrates a proficient understanding of how editing styles are used within the thriller genre. You have identified the correct points and have considered your examples well. You have also focused on the relationship with the audience well and the various emotions that are created.
ReplyDeleteHowever, further analysis of the conventions of a thriller is needed, which will enable you to develop your analysis further. You also need to elaborate on the points that you have included within your summary, by considering what editing styles you would like to include.