While I have seen
The Shining before, I still find certain scenes suspenseful. One scene in particular that I found disturbing and suspenseful was towards the beginning of the movie when Danny stands in front of the mirror in his bathroom, talking to "Tony," his imaginary friend. As Danny asks Tony questions about the Overlook Hotel, the camera zooms into his reflection in the mirror, from Danny's back right. There is a subtle hint of music playing in the background, just enough that the audience can sense that something dark is quickly approaching. When the camera finishes zooming, Danny says, "Tony, tell me," since Tony refuses to answer him, and Danny's eyes open wide because he is seeing something terrifying in the future. The music escalates in creepiness and volume in this moment and the camera cuts to the elevator flooded with blood and the two little sisters. This foreshadow was created by zooming in on Danny's face to try to get a sense of what is going on in his head at that moment, where his thoughts are consumed by Tony who, while Danny thinks is his friend, is trying to possess him.
Zoom-ins and close-ups (combined with music/non-diegetic sound) are important in this film because they help the audience predict that something bad is going to happen, and usually show a change in the character's expression when the zoom is complete, such as in the mirror scene. The combination of the two camera techniques creates a feeling of suspense because the audience has to wait for the full zoom to happen before something happens, because in that split second where the camera stops, that leaves infinite options for what is going to happen next. Zooming in keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, because it is so important in that moment that they pay attention, since absolutely anything can happen.
When is another important scene where zoom is used to create suspense?
Red rum!
ReplyDeleteI agree that scene is suspenseful and frightening. Not just the fact that Tony has a creepy voice, but also because it is being filmed in the mirror which gives that part of the scene more tension. Another scene that I found suspenseful was when Jack begins to go after Danny. They are running through the maze and the viewer does not know when they are going to encounter each other. Also the fact that Jack has an ax and Danny is weaponless is frightening. The reason that is scary and suspenseful is because if Jack were to encounter Danny than he would hurt him and Danny could not defend himself. The camera also has quick cuts between Jack and Danny which builds up the tension in the scene. Sometimes the camera is following Jack and then Jack is following the camera. Sometimes the camera is following Danny and then Danny is following the camera. When the camera is looking at Jack, the viewer does not know who or what is in front of him and when the camera is following Danny, the viewer does not know who or what is going to pop out next behind the one of the pillars of the maze. In answer to your question a scene where they use zoom to create suspense is in the end when they zoom in on the picture of Jack in 1921.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this was a very suspenseful scene. Especially because this is towards the very beginning the audience is expecting a lot of information to better understand the plot. Tony's voice on its own is very creepy already so when he starts to describe futuristic things that are going to occur it has a fear factor. As Tony refuses to say anything more this leaves the audience very nervous because they don't know what to expect. This is one of the most impactful ways to get the audience on their toes.
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