editing of our film

 Editing the opening of my film was a crucial part of building the suspense and mood for my thriller crime project as an A-Level Media Studies student. we focused on classic editing methods that are common in this genre, like fast cuts, slow tension buildup, and careful sound design, to create a sense of suspense and engage the viewers. we took inspiration from movies such as Se7en (1995), Zodiac (2007), and Prisoners (2013), which all use editing to heighten tension and deepen their dark, psychological themes.

One key technique we used was paced editing to create suspense. At the beginning, we started with longer shots and gradually sped up the cuts as the tension grew, much like how Se7en builds its atmosphere through editing. This method keeps the audience on edge while allowing uncomfortable moments to linger.

We also experimented with match cuts and jump cuts to create a sense of disorientation, particularly during scenes of psychological stress. Drawing inspiration from Fight Club (1999), we included quick, fragmented cuts to illustrate a fractured mental state, pulling the audience into the character’s paranoia.

Cross-cutting was another important technique we employed. We used parallel editing to show two events happening simultaneously, a style often found in Fincher’s films. For example, we switched between a character walking down a dark alley and another one getting ready with a weapon, increasing the anticipation as their paths were about to cross.

Sound played a crucial role in our editing process. We focused on diegetic sounds, like footsteps, breathing, and distant sirens, rather than a full musical score, similar to No Country for Old Men (2007), where silence and subtle sounds create a sense of dread. By enhancing small sounds and using audio fades, we effectively built suspense.

Overall, the editing process turned our footage into a thrilling and engaging experience. By using techniques typical of crime thrillers, we created an exciting opening that captures the eerie and suspenseful spirit of the genre.