The Shining

Suspense is created in a variety of ways in “The Shining” using mise en scene, music/sound, editing and camera.

An example of a scene in which suspense is created by these features is the one in which Danny and his mum are being shown the storage room. The mise en scene creates suspense because it is just a typical storage room so we expect nothing to happen but as the other two characters move on Danny stops and we see his facial expression becomes scared so we believe something bad is going to happen and are therefore scared for Danny and his welfare. As this happens, the camera tracks the other two characters and then cuts back to Danny’s face and pans in, so we the audience are on edge as to what’s going to happen. Also a low angle shot from Danny’s point of view creates suspense because it seems as though he is causing Danny to feel scared. The sound at this point is a very low-pitched non-diegetic sound which creates suspense because it’s very loud and the pace changes. Editing also creates suspense as when Danny looks up at the cook a non-diegetic sound has been inputted while the low-pitched noise is still playing (although quieter) and this is speech and says “I want ice cream” which creates suspense because it’s an odd thing to say.

Overall, mise en scene, music/sound, editing and camera all contribute to creating suspense in scenes in “The Shining.”