How Hitchcock Creates Suspense

[@Pivot-Shorts]

I enjoyed the comparison between the scenes in Children of Men and Touch of Evil. Even though I wouldn't take anything away from the scene in Children of Men. The point of the bomb in CoM, and the sudden nature of the explosion, is to establish the chaotic and unpredictable world the the film is taking place in. It has a different function in that movie.

[@JamesDonnellyDrums]

I was just about to say this. Great analysis otherwise

[@EntertainTheElk]

Absolutely! The example wasn't meant as an insult. I love Children of Men. Suspense isn't inherently better than Shock. I just wanted to show an example of how they can both be utilized. Thanks for watching!

[@SCIFIguy64]

Both are great techniques, but depend on the effect you want. And if you only do one or the other with no variance, it becomes boring quickly, but a filmmaker should prize one above the other. Imo, the greatest horror films use suspense over shock, or preferably, with a healthy does of both. Duel, and old made for TV movie uses suspense greatly (because Mr. Speildberg directed it partly) due to the fact they never show us the driver of the truck, and it's almost always pursuing our protagonist. After some time, it'll pull away and create a flase sense of hope when it shocks you as it pops up out of nowhere, and starts to chase the protagonist again, creating a constant feeling of suspense and shock.

[@saiashwin26]

Yes, but sometimes for greater degree of suspense to work you need to first shock the audience first which the video shows

[@alexispapageorgiou72]

Also, the first appearance of the bird isn't a momentary shock, considering the name of the film. It's a combination of shock and suspense building mechanism. The title is where the film starts, and it is information. Enormous information. And the boat scene was underplayed by the master intentionally. (I know that this doesn't sound like him, but he did it. Withhold information.) Otherwise, that epic park scene wouldn't have worked as majestic...

[@TYKEY10]

I don't think I've ever seen a youtube channel with such great content from the very beginning. Keep it up!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thanks a lot, Tyler! I really appreciate the words of encouragement. Please share with your friends!

[@cronaman3196]

then you dont get around on youtube enough

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

That scene with the crows on the climbing frame is one of my favourite in all of cinema. Everything about it is perfect, and I think it really managed to make birds scary because of the absurdity of the concept rather than in spite of it. You've got so many well thought out and interesting videos already. Keep up the good work!

[@EntertainTheElk]

What's So Great About That? I love that scene so much. Glad you agree! Thanks for watching/commenting!

[@leleleel4507]

It doesn't compare to the birds from birdemic.

[@bonym371]

I totally agree! I remember watching "The birds" on night having as a seven year old, on my own, it was terrifying. That scene was genius and I am on the eve of shooting my first short film and came on youtube for inspiration on creating suspense in a scene and after all these years, I'm back here with the genius, Alfred Hitchcock.

[@mrteaparty6090]

@@EntertainTheElk How were camera angles used to create suspense? I'm talking about the film Psycho (1960).

[@awesometruth6]

I'm a media studies student and part of my final grade I've chosen to study Hitchcock and his directing style. Very helpful video in describing elements of suspense. Subscribed

[@EntertainTheElk]

Google wanted me to change my username so I changed it to a description of why I changed my username Yes! Love it. And love your handle. :)

[@KayWhyz]

To be fair, I think the bomb in Children of Men is an inciting incident akin to Hitchcock's first bird attack-providing information to make the rest of the movie suspenseful.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Completely agree!

[@matthewlaird4009]

Wow. that scene in Touch of Evil is masterful, to have a following shot like that is genius filmmaking.

[@franciscominaca3239]

I love how you went to a classic master like Hitchcock and showed his ideas applied to different movies. Something I don´t like in video essays is when the authors just give their opinion . Another video like these and I am subscribing.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Francisco Miñaca If you're one video away from subscribing, check out my video on Kubrick's lighting technique or my video on Saul Bass and how he influenced modern TV Title Sequences. That should get you to subscribe! :)

[@maxmilburn4046]

It’s important to note that the ‘shock’ of the Children of Men clip has a different agenda to the Touch of Evil clip, and these two are separate techniques, with their own advantages and disadvantages. Great video though, insightful and the examples are great iconic examples of these techniques. Keep up the great work

[@Yukendoit]

There is a daily vlogger named Adamthewoo who constantly references Hitchcock whenever he sees birds. I'm sharing this with his fan page. Keep up the great work.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Haha, awesome! Thanks so much! :)

[@BilltheFifth]

Yukendoit Used to be a big fan of the Woo. I find him a bit annoying now.

[@ExperiencedGhost]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm writing books and until now I did'nt know why I did certain scenes the way I did for crerating suspense. I think I learned that just by watching movies and analyzing them. Your explanation makes it so easy to understand. I bet you've followed some classes in making movies.

[@EntertainTheElk]

You should check out the book I mention "Hitchcock/Truffaut". Hitchcock goes into detail about suspense and how it works. It's a great read. Glad you liked the video! :)

[@lolataylor9158]

You explain everything very well and clearly. I find your videos to be really helpful with my film & TV course I am studying! Thank you

[@EntertainTheElk]

Awesome! I'm so glad to hear that. :)

[@austinauthor846]

I think it should be mentioned that the brilliance in the bomb scene in Children of Men, is that the movie shows us the protagonist in an all to familiar setting as he's just trying to enjoy a coffee in broad day light surrounded by people, and a bomb suddenly goes off. From that point onward the movie sets the tone and tells the audience that in this world if you can't be safe just enjoying a coffee in a crowded street, you can never truly be safe anywhere. With that agreement the audience is on edge the entire movie, and it brilliantly makes every action as unpredictable and dangerous from that point on. It's not exactly a Hitchcokian form of suspense but a great form of suspense nonetheless.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Oh absolutely. The directors were aiming for different reactions. Hope it didn’t seem like I was saying one is better than the other. CoM is phenomenal and Alfonso is one of the best directors going right now.

[@makrisioannis09]

to the point, well directed, funny, nicely done...

[@oscartovar5756]

I fucking love the font and movie posters you put. They're just so beaufitul. Kudos on the channel :)

[@EntertainTheElk]

Oscar Tovar Thank you!

[@leckererezepte5968]

Great analysis and great video with great info. Thanks for sharing!

[@DesDecides]

Our teachers forced us to see the movie. We dreaded it. But now I’m so grateful we did.

[@DennisCNolasco]

Hmm, you didn't include Hitchcock's whole theory on suspense. In it, he states that if you use suspense, the bomb should never go off. So according to Hitchcock, Orson Welle's A Touch of Evil doesn't do it correctly (Hitchcock himself even states that he did it wrong in one of his movies by letting the bomb go off). I've been thinking about this for a while, because viewers will eventually catch on if you never let the bomb go off using Hitchcock's method. But maybe in these cases, this is when you let the bomb go off with the shock method. E.g., the car bomb in Touch of Evil is found and deactivated by the military. Everyone let's out a sign of relieve that it was deactivated. Then while people start to relax and have idle conversations, the bomb then explodes (ala Children of Men).

[@EntertainTheElk]

I never understood that part of the suspense. Even in the scene I showed, the bomb "goes off" when the Birds start attacking the children. I feel like suspense needs to build to something. Maybe not all the time, but the bomb has to go off sometimes. Then again, he is the master.

[@DennisCNolasco]

Yeah, I think he's just making a blanket statements in these short interviews where he says that. To get a complete idea of Hitchcock, one should get the Truffaut book (I just got it today!) or analyze many of his movies in detail.

[@vishhalrajesh17]

He said The bomb must always go off. If it doesn't then the audience are disappointed. Watch Hitchcock's video properly again.

[@DesDecides]

That’s a great way to look at it.

[@jacobvarney23]

@@vishhalrajesh17 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoGppKiZlLKSaac He says "the bomb must never go off" (1:16) because the audience will be angered that they aren't provided with any relief. Shortly later, he says the bomb should go off so long as, just in time, nobody is harmed (the bomb is thrown out the window). Watch the video carefully.

[@manolomosquerah]

Love your content and keen eye for detail and insightful analysis.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Manolo Mosquera Thank you! If you liked this, keep an eye out for my newest video that's dropping on Monday. It's about Steven Spielberg! Oh and please subscribe so you don't miss it!

[@lostdim]

such quality content, keep up the great work!

[@EntertainTheElk]

dimitri Thanks so much! Glad you're enjoying them.

[@dave1234u]

This is amazing. Great work. I had the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

[@EntertainTheElk]

dave1234u Thank you!

[@88gordi]

Imagine the scene from The Birds on the big screen - gosh

[@angelo1052]

I've never seen that movie and the scene you showed was giving me fear for what is to happen, thank you for showing us great examples of film and keep up the good work.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you so much. Go watch The Birds! :)

[@fujitafunk]

It's interesting how watching this video made me realize modern horror films like to use this method, but on the last shot of suspense, the monster is shown in almost a Scooby-doo manner. That being: incredibly close, very slow in action and most likely there doing nothing but being "scary" and with a loud boom of sudden music. It's like suspense is built up only to the last point of being a jump or shock scare. Hitchcock's suspense is a lot more like what you see in John Carpenter's 1978 Halloween film. It's more of a stalking feeling that gets closer and closer. You're waiting for it and you're not quite sure if you're ready.

[@EntertainTheElk]

You're right. I think the build up and anticipation is far scarier than the actual monster itself. That's why shadows, corners, and masks are terrifying. We hate the unknown.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

+Elk - "Quietly terrifying". A nice pairing of words!

[@cdefomn]

This channel is actually heaps good. Worthy of way more subscribers. In time!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Vass Magic Films Thank you!!

[@suttree3233]

This essay is (so far) your masterpiece :)

[@EntertainTheElk]

Fincher Wright Yessss

[@kazaloolovesgames]

Subscribed. I love channels like this.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thanks so much! I'll make you proud. Keep out for my new video dropping tomorrow ;)

[@boxfreshpidge]

Great channel man! I shall share with some movie buff friends

[@EntertainTheElk]

Awesome! Thanks for the kind words and for sharing!

[@KenshoBeats]

Imo the most suspenseful moments in Hitchcock’s movies are powered by the scores. It’s at least 50% of the effect. Superb scores have been delivered by Bernard Herrmann, Dimitri Tiomkin, Franz Waxman to name a few.

[@mckster56]

Still can bring a chill a lifetime later

[@leocelente]

I'm in suspense to see the future of this channel. You've earned a sub. :)

[@EntertainTheElk]

Leonardo Celente Haha. Thanks! I'll make you proud.

[@astralax]

Subbed. The world needs more Nerdwriter-style video essays.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thanks so much! Compliment taken! I'll make you proud.

[@madhukumar3421]

gret stuff brother, just loved it

[@IM3z]

Great content, subscribed. Keep the good work.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thanks so much! I'm wrapping up my next video, which should drop in the next day or two. Keep your eyes peeled!

[@ryoko65]

I really love your channel. your very good at explaining the subject matter in both a concise and engaging manor. And in this case especially "Hitchcock would be proud!" as Adam the Woo would say. ^_^

[@ryoko65]

I'm sorry... should be "You're " not "your"

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Hope you subscribe so you don't miss my future videos.

[@ImperialGoldfish]

Lovely content, my friend. A tiny point - in this video, and in "Stanley Kubrick: Practical Lighting", you use the word "coined" when the correct choice would be "dubbed". I hope that's helpful, rather than condescending!

[@EntertainTheElk]

My English teacher wife should've corrected me!!! Oh well. Thanks for the note. :)

[@magicalmax1000]

Concise analogy. I wish more youtube videos were like this, rather than taking 5 minutes to get to the point, and constantly asking us to subscribe 10/10 video, great job! :)

[@btetschner]

Thank you for the video, I found it very helpful.

[@Robert-zx2ir]

Flawless Video about a Flawless Film Artist

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you! :)

[@nixeon]

Could someone explain what the last scene with the arrow "master of suspense" was supposed to mean? Thanks in advance

[@EntertainTheElk]

The last arrow points to Alfred Hitchcock, who made a quick cameo in The Birds.

[@nixeon]

Entertain The Elk ahh i see. Thanks!

[@coopsthommo5507]

Matt Reeves used this sort of suspense really well in The Batman.

[@HiCZoK]

The Birds is my fav hitchcock movie

[@EntertainTheElk]

Such a great film.

[@smergen7641]

Dang. Where was this for my English Assessment. RIP

[@jamesagwe2981]

The Man was a genius

[@Uroste]

Hey Elk You might wanna go check Oliver Harpier's channel. It's damn good.

[@ipsurvivor]

Great analysis but disagree about the first attack on Melanie - it is shocking but also suspenseful in that we know that Mitch is circling around the bay like a Gull himself in pursuit of Melanie... The characters are humans but also represent bird behavior and pecking orders... But I found that scene to at least to be filled with anticipation and the tension was certainly mounting. I found it to be suspenseful. There is suspense in virtually every move Melanie makes... Of course she is auditioning for her role in the chicken coup that is Lydia’s household... Cathy being the exemplar or perfect conformist... Her party is an audition of sorts. Excellent video... My opinion or observation is merely a quibble.

[@Bronsons]

Question: Why is it that at the end of the video (6:21) you put a red arrow pointing at presumably nothing at first, then Hitchcock walks in such a way that the arrow points to him for a second and then walks past the arrow so it is once again pointing to nothing? That makes it seem like he's not the master of suspense and that there's actually something that would give suspense at the tip of the arrow, where there is nothing.

[@NostalgiaVHS]

Excellent use of video to illustrate your points!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thanks so much! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future videos. :)

[@NarekAvetisyan]

Excellent.

[@erikbakhshi]

Nice video, keep up the good work!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you!

[@GenXMarks]

Simply! he is the Best that's why he called as king of suspense

[@NicoManansala]

Thank you!

[@EntertainTheElk]

You're welcome! :)

[@yantimohhan867]

I used to watch Alfred Hitchcock Show since I was kid.

[@demanso1]

Good stuff my friend

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you! :)

[@SplitterShot]

Excellent channel! Keep up the fantastic work. Do you work in the film industry?

[@EntertainTheElk]

SplitterShot Thanks! Technically yes, as an assistant. I've assisted a director and some execs at studios in LA. But not a working writer yet.

[@SplitterShot]

Sounds awesome. Looking forward to your next vids! I hope I'll find a way in the industry too sometime.

[@dimitreze]

great video, subscribing!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Dimitri Bitu Thanks so much!!

[@atryan1125]

I don't like the comparison to Children of Men since it works better there without suspense, not everything needs suspense and suspense doesn't make everything better

[@kuel321]

SUBBED. love the content, can't wait for more

[@EntertainTheElk]

Awesome! Thanks so much. I'll make you proud. :)

[@gulraizbhutta]

Real master

[@EricTheRedd75]

Great content. Just binge watched a bunch of your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Awesome! Thanks so much.

[@davis68nf]

Check out Act 3, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Benvolio says, " I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire: The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl; For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring!" Good storytelling is letting the audience know the possibilities of what's to happen! This foreshadowing does, indeed, build suspense! But, Hitchcock was not the first to use this brilliant narrative technique!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Oh yeah. Suspense has been around since the beginning of stories.

[@Arherumor]

More videos on hitchcock please

[@zjapp]

brilliant

[@vigneshvicky8139]

Help me..! How to show a information about a specific number (single digit) is thread to an main character!

[@jokesterthemighty227]

Now you've got my attention. I want mooore

[@EntertainTheElk]

Coming up! :)

[@JordanSBenjamin1]

You deserve more subscribers...

[@EntertainTheElk]

Jordan S Benjamin Thanks so much! I sure hope I can start bringing them in. Hope you enjoy my future essays!

[@VictorAHunter]

Somewhere in an alternate universe there's a version of The Birds without Tippi Hedren

[@ItsSoRandomGaming2562]

Just seen this in my zoom class lol

[@themanwhoknewtoomuch6667]

The man with the dog...

[@dawghousetv]

We tried to make our latest comedy sketch with Hitchcock influences, what do you think?

[@David-mg1yj]

I can't help but think you should have played the entire clip from The Birds first, then dissected it afterwards.

[@EntertainTheElk]

David Larney I played with the idea, but it dragged the video horribly. In making these videos, I've found that it's about striking the balance of dissection but still entertainment. I'm making a product myself, and it needs to move quickly and captivate. Also, even playing the 20 seconds I did untouched flagged me for copyright infringement. Just glad that they didn't make me take it down. :/

[@David-mg1yj]

Fair enough. I guess most people know the sequence anyway. Thanks for the reply.

[@Cosmogris]

This is all still fucking great

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thanks! Now sit back and relax while I start working on the next. :)

[@BilboB]

In my opnion i didn't really think Touch of Evil created nail biting suspense, the bomb was there and it was suspense, but it was placed with a charachter that we didnt care about at all, therefore it wasn't that unnerving.

[@IvanFloresArt]

you have such great content! subscribed after one video, your channel will explode soon!

[@EntertainTheElk]

Ivan Flores Thanks so much for subscribing and the encouragement. Hope you like the future videos.

[@sumayashah7412]

Wow he is a genius😍

[@pawanbhatt3160]

Thnku so much sir😂😂

[@EntertainTheElk]

You're welcome! :)

[@fgonzalez43]

The question remains: What was the purpose of the movie? Hitchcock took a Du Maurier allegory and made it his own. Much like Kubrick did with The Shining. Neither author was pleased, believing their work had been subverted.As for The Birds, I've always thought the love birds were the key, hence Cartwright's ironic line "They haven't hurt anybody." It's as though they are the royal couple of all birds. Free them from the cage, and all birds are happy. The original ending was to have Mitch and family arrive in San Fransisco, to see the Golden Gate Bridge covered in birds. Maybe too nihilistic even for Hitch.

[@TheEntity0]

I feel like using that scene from children of men was a mistake. The idea behind that scene WAS shock, not suspense. I still fully agree with the idea but I think there is a better example to be used. Just saying. Great channel btw.

[@EntertainTheElk]

I see what you mean. The comparison wasn't supposed to imply that one was better or worse. That's just the difference between the two. I love Children of Men and that opening explosion sets the tone for that dystopian world really effectively.

[@AndreasWernerReiske]

Are we talking about Orson Welles !??

[@Alex-zc9ty]

Make more great work like this

[@EntertainTheElk]

Alex Lee Subscribe so you don't miss my newest video on Spielberg that's going to drop on Monday. If you liked this video, you're gonna love it.

[@simonlamplugh4874]

nice

[@Mayala285]

nice job on explaining about how Alfred hitchcock creates suspense. luckily a dumb person like me understanded from this video. again thanks for the amazing videos :)

[@EntertainTheElk]

I'm glad you liked it! Hope you subscribe for more videos. :)

[@Mayala285]

Entertain The Elk I already did :)

[@johndeagle4389]

The audience is given information and that information is kept from the main character. For example, the audience knows that a bird has just landed on the jungle gym. Tippi Hedren does not know that a bird is behind her.

[@tres9007]

1:33 what a waste of coffee

[@dreamrealm1938]

The first nazi bomb attack on the beach from Dunkirk shock or suspense

[@EntertainTheElk]

EAZY Entertainment Suspense for sure! The audience is given information once we hear the rumble of the planes coming in. Those 15 seconds when we hear them get closer and closer is crazy suspenseful! Would you agree?

[@dreamrealm1938]

Entertain The Elk yes

[@smellyodorousstank5704]

I've been watching your essays and am finding that you are telling us things, but not committing to fully showing them. For example, when breaking down the suspenseful scene with an army of birds, you simply tell us the frames, edits, and tell us there is suspense rather than allowing us to experience it. If you are concerned that it will take too much time for your overall video essay then why not choose something shorter?

[@EntertainTheElk]

SmellyOdorousStank Fair point, but think about pacing too. I tried letting the suspenseful moment play out a bit, but if I put it in their untouched, the video would've dragged horribly. Consider it like reading a book. I give you the pieces, but it requires some audience participation as well. I'll take your note though and try and implement it in the future.

[@holamerecs7343]

This channel is going to grow and fast. I really hope you will manage to keep your work untouched by the pretencious, yet lazy internet viewer, always waiting for content that doesnt make his brains budge. We got enough of ''top 10 movies that put superstars in danger'' channels. Smaller fanbase > larger fanbase of dumb sheep. Stay true, homie

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you so much! I hope I can grow quickly. I'm sure I'll end up doing some larger fanbase dissections like Star Wars in the future, but I'll continue to do the little weird subgenres for the ultimate film fans too. Thanks for the support!

[@tomriddle4510]

Rosebud.

[@EntertainTheElk]

You shouldn't have come here tonight, Tom. The Order are on their way...

[@jocosesonata]

Don't mind me, just putting a bomb in the comment section.

[@tehtrycki3229]

Devoirs d'anglais

[@SpencerLevey]

great video

[@EntertainTheElk]

Thank you!

[@fitfulflashesoflucidity227]

He used overtonal montage in the scene with Melanie and the birds starting with metric but then breaking the pattern with the 28 secs long shot and thus turning to rhythmic

[@maddalonefarms]

Wb Psycho

[@Gmm4000]

6:22

[@GarageFilmz100]

this is sick, funny how you use children of men's explosion as like the "bad" one eve though thats still a really good film

[@EntertainTheElk]

+Lewy Burrows Not at all! I love Children of Men. One of the best movies to come out this century. Merely using it as an example between shock and suspense. Not implying that one is inherently better than the other.

[@GarageFilmz100]

yeh true true, just thought it was funny cos i was thinking about other films with bad shock explosion scenes although now i think about it weren't as good of examples for the video anyway

[@HarryBalzak]

I'm probably in the vast minority, but I think "The Birds" sucked. From a technical POV(as you are pointing out) it is great, but I found the scenario absurd and laughable instead of tense and thrilling.

[@EntertainTheElk]

Harry Balzak Yeah, I see your point. Crazed birds is cheesy. The way I see it, he made an awesome B Horror Movie. Kind of like Tremors, which might just be my favorite movie of all time. Thanks for watching!

[@MurtleMeech]

Who’s here cause of Eminem?

[@zamo5179]

Aaron Cruz I’m just here bc of my English teacher

[@gunnerysgthartman6124]

18 people are michael bay fans

[@geethakrishnafilmschools7901]

👍