One scene in particular where the use of foreshadowing aids in building suspense is when the viewer can confirm that something sinister will happen with the main character, Jack. His wife and young son are playing in the snow laughing and having fun. He is sitting inside the hotel looking at them through the window. But what makes this scene interesting is the face that Jack makes. He is looking at them in a malicious way, almost as if he's evil. This is a contrast from how he acts in the beginning of the film, which makes this scene scary for viewers. Because the viewer is aware of Jack's change starting to occur from the previous scene when he yells at Wendy for bothering him, this scene only solidifies this theory, that in fact he is different from how he is in the beginning of the film. Also, his face here is shot with an extreme close up shot. You are able to analyze just how he is different now as opposed to before. For example, you can now see the stubble that has grown on his face most likely from typing day in and day out. Something else is that the background behind his is blurred, and is a similar color to the sweater he is wearing. This only helps the viewer focus on Jack in this scene, showing that he is, if not, the most important character in the film, and to look out for what is to come of him. These elements help build the curiosity within the viewer. These foreshadowing techniques is what ultimately builds suspense.
But what could some other scenes be that help built suspense this far along in the film? Is foreshadowing a definitive way to create a movie to be "scary" all the time? Why or why not?
I agree that the scene of Jack looking over into the field of snow where Wendy and Danny were playing was a sheer moment we were able to witness his change in character. I liked how you said the extreme close up shot of his face and beard were communicating his character development. A similar scene where the viewer can see Jack's evident change in character is when he is throwing the tennis ball against the hotel walls. From the very begininning of the film at the hotel, we see Jack getting frustrated with himself and his wife because he has no time to write. However, when he does get his free time, he procrastinates and picks up a tennis ball instead. He then blames his anger on Wendy and Danny, when in reality we see him procrastinating the most when he is alone. The scene is shot from behind, as he throws the ball against the wall.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think that foreshadowing definitely helps create an interesting plot, however I prefer it when it is very subtle because then when it unfolds, the audience can have that moment of realization which can make one think deeper about the movie as a whole. This famous close up of Jack captures the entire movie and his downward spiral, just by having the camera focus in on his creepy face. This alone, has the effect of being horrifying because he started out as an average guy and now we slowly see him become fixated on this hotel and his family.
ReplyDeleteI think that foreshadowing played a very key role in making The Shining suspenseful and scary, and that it can really make a viewer think about what is happening to the characters and it will make them remember these key parts for later parts of the movie. But I also think the lack of knowledge of what will or might happen later in the movie and having twists be a complete surprise is another good way to make a movie shocking and scary. The viewer would never expect for the twist to happen, which I think can make a movie even scarier than if they had an idea that that might happen from earlier points in the movie.
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