A definition of suspense.

Suspense is a build up of tension of uncertainty and anticipation of what is happening, engaging the audience when approaching a climax of what a outcome could be.

e.g. Trying to figure out a problem in a mystery novel.

For example, a 'false plateau' can cause tension in the viewer as the scene is foreshadowing what would happen next, setting the scene to contrast the outcome of the situation.

Therefore, suspense can hold the viewers attention to make them feel apprehensive to the situation- it can even cause fear or excitement.

In terms of media and the film industry, the use of acting as well as the type of camera shots and the mise en scene can make the viewer visually know it is a suspenseful type thriller movie.

Suspense and tension can additionally be clearly shown in the use of editing and sound.

We saw these types of 'suspenseful' moments in opening title sequences such as Collateral, The Shining and Panic Room which we watched as a class.

• Collateral was shown to be suspenseful from the mysterious action from the two different business men and the swapping of bags- it makes the audience curious of the relationship between the two people and what will result in that outcome from that? There are blurs and use of slow motion when coming into contact makes the whole scene even more tense.
  
• The Shining was a sequence of the camera following a car in a birds eye view/ariel shot, tracking down the car. We see the isolation of the car from the extreme long shot- the use of creepy music makes the sequence even more eerie too, from the combination of different synthesis of sounds. In result of this, we know what may happen to the character in the car in result of the opening title sequence.
  
• Panic room additionally has dark, loud, droning music which then becomes upbeat- adding to the suspense. The typography looks very interesting which the camera has different angles or shots when viewing it- the background is the top of the city buildings which makes us wonder what is going to happen in the actual movie.