Analysing Tension in Thrillers

 

Detachment

In this short opening scene to a thriller many different effects are used to increase and build tension throughout the scene, these include visual and audio. The reason why tension is built up and is used in this scene is to grasp the audience and pull them into the story.

The institution who made this piece of text as used lots of visual effects such as lighting and camera angles. Between 0.00-0.05 a close up on his face is used to show us what he looks like and to get an idea of the sought of expressions he uses. As the scene continues we learn that his face stays very

serious and doesn't react to the surroundings around him which builds tension by making the audience feel on edge. Throughout the piece, especially at the beginning lots of the shots and camera angles make the background seem very dark which puts focus on the man but also creates a sense of mystery and unknowing. More tension is created as the scene goes on and we start to understand the character and the noises surrounding him and how he reacts to them. In the background we can hear a couple arguing and making a lot of noise, most noises people would react to and be worried to hear things as such but the man in this opening scene doesn't even react to the loud bangs and carries on doing what he is doing.

The argument going on in the background also builds tension throughout the scene because whats happening in the argument ties in to the actions the man is doing, When the camera pans over to the rifle and he picks it up the argument stops as well as the music which builds suspense (1.44-1.46). He then cocks the gun and you can hear a loud crash and the music carries on playing continuing the action. This little pause adds to the tension leaving the audience waiting to know what is happening. He also doesn't react to the woman begging to stop which shows us more about his character and that he couldn't care less about if someone was in a dangerous situation, instead he caries on setting up his gun which is quite a sinister task which ties on with what is going on in the background. As the scene starts to end the screaming starts to get louder and more intense as he leaves the room building the tension more and more until it suddenly cuts to the title.