The Girl on the Bridge

Directed by Christian Fechner

The clip that we saw used various editting techniques to create suspense and tension within the scene. Accompanying the applause of the audience at the beginning of the scene is a fanfare sound which immediately establishes the importance of the impending act. At first we see the stage from the point of view of the audience, before seeing the point of view of the performing characters. These two perceptions contrast and the faces of each of the characters are fixed on for long periods of time, prolonging the suspense. A similar technique is used when the main character pulls the curtain shut, overlapping editting is used to extend the length of the act. This puts emphasis on the significance of the action and creates tension in the audience. When the non-diegetic music begins the audience falls silent, this drastic change in the crowds reaction accentuates the apprehensive atmosphere. The selective sound of the knife is emphasised to contrast with the silence and creates tension every time one hits. Fast cuts are then used when the knife hits the board to show the contact and then to move the focus back to the reaction of the two characters involved. This leaves the audience unsure as to what has happened and drags on the suspense throughout the scene.

Although this films genre isn't the same as the horror genre that we want to pursue for our course work, it includes some simple but effective techniques to create tension that we may be able to emmulate in our piece.