Fast-paced editing is commonly used in horror films to build tension and create a sense of urgency for viewers. This disorients the audience and makes them feel uneasy. However, some scenes use slow pacing to draw the audience in and give them a brief sense of security before scaring them. Various editing techniques like cutaways, smash cuts, and jump cuts are employed to shock or scare viewers. Sound effects and music also build tension and startle audiences, while silence can make them feel unsettled.

1. EDITING IN HORROR
BY MELISSA MINSHULL

2. PACE
• THE PACE USED IN HORROR FILM IS OFTEN FAST PACED
• THIS IS TO BUILD TENSION
• IT ALSO CREATES A SENSE OF URGENCY FOR VIEWERS
• FAST PACED EDITING ALSO DISORIENTATES THE AUDIENCE SO THAT THEY FEEL UNEASY
• HOWEVER THIS IS MIXED WITH ONE OR TWO SCENES WITH SLOW PACED EDITING
• THIS IS AS IT DRAWS IN THE AUDIENCE AND GIVES THEM A SENSE OF SECURITY BEFORE SCARING
THEM

3. EDITING TECHNIQUES USED
• CUT AWAY – TO SHOW CHARACTERS REACTIONS TO THE SITUATIONS THEY ARE FACING
• SMASH CUT – TO SHOCK AND SCARE THE AUDIENCE IN THE CHANGE FROM LOUD TO QUIET
• JUMP CUT – ALLOWING THE PASSAGE OF TIME TO SHOW WHILST ALSO SOMETIMES USING IT TO
SCARE THE AUDIENCE
• FADE TO BLACK – GIVES A MYSTERIOUS AND TENSE FEELING
• STRAIGHT CUT – BASIC CUTS
• ELLIPTICAL EDITING – CUTS OUT THE UNNECESSARY PARTS OF JOURNEYS OR ACTIONS TO KEEP
THE AUDIENCE GRIPPED AND ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS

4. SOUND EFFECTS AND MUSIC
• MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS CAN BE USED TO BUILD TENSION
• LOUD SLOW BUILDING MUSIC CAN HELP PUT THE AUDIENCE ON EDGE
• LOUD FAST MUSIC CAN HELP SHOCK AND SCARE THE AUDIENCE
• THE LACK OF MUSIC CAN CREATE AN UNEASY FEELING FOR THE AUDIENCE DUE TO THE SILENCE AND
CAN ALSO EMPHASISE THE SOUND EFFECTS ON SCREEN
• SOUND EFFECTS SUCH AS FOOTSTEPS, FLOORBOARDS/DOORS CREAKING, AND THE WIND ARE COMMON
SOUND EFFECTS FOUND IN HORROR FILMS
• SOUND EFFECTS CAN ALSO HELP MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT BELIEVABLE TO THE AUDIENCE WHICH
MAKES THEM SUSCEPTIBLE TO STRONGER REACTIONS