Short film research: (The silent house/urban thriller)

 For our short film, we're focusing on the urban thriller genre, and after watching The Silent House (2010), I gained new perspectives that will help shape our project. The film makes excellent use of long, unbroken shots to create a sense of real-time tension, keeping the audience on edge as they follow the protagonist through the dark and isolated house. The minimal soundtrack is effective in building suspense, relying more on the ambient sounds—creaking floors, wind, and distant noises—to unsettle the viewer. The mise-en-scène in The Silent House features dim lighting, with shadows and limited light sources, creating an oppressive atmosphere that reflects the protagonist’s growing sense of fear. The editing is sparse, with few cuts, which heightens the feeling of immersion and increases the tension as events unfold. What I love most about this genre, as shown in The Silent House, is its ability to evoke deep fear and suspense from the environment and the protagonist's isolation, creating a psychological experience for the viewer. However, the genre's reliance on minimal dialogue and slow pacing can sometimes feel too drawn out for certain audiences, making it difficult to maintain engagement. Watching The Silent House has provided a valuable example of how to use minimalism and atmosphere to build a gripping, tense narrative, and how to focus on the psychological effects of the environment on the characters.