Millions of people enjoy the feeling of being scared when consuming different forms of home entertainment. There is a certain thrill that accompanies the sensation of fear, especially when you know that the fear is only on a screen as part of a film or other form of entertainment media. With this sensation often comes a rush of adrenaline which excites and captivates the attention of the viewer.
It is little surprise that entertainment companies in film and the games industry regularly incorporate a range of techniques that induce fear and excitement in the person playing or watching. Often, this is achieved using a range of special effects, incorporating both visual and audio techniques. In this article, some of the key ways in which special effects are used to both scare and excite audiences will be explored.
Jump scares in video games
The modern video game industry offers players a truly immersive experience across a wide range of titles. Horror games such as the Resident Evil and Silent Hill game franchises have enjoyed ongoing appeal for several decades, and the games have become more sophisticated as computer processing power continues to improve. These types of horror games typically feature “jump scares” during play to frighten the gamer.
A timeless scene in the original Resident Evil game features dogs crashing through a window as you explore a deserted mansion at night. The shift in play from absolute silence to chaos and danger was a classic piece of gaming special effects, and many players will vividly remember this frightening and exhilarating scene.
Sound and visual effects in online casino games
Fright fans are also well-catered for in the world of online casinos. Simply by logging on to sites such as https://ca.crazyvegas.com/casino-games/, you can find a wide range of professionally run online venues that have a deep selection of games to choose from. Many of these games will be aimed at horror fans with video slot machines available based on famous films such as Alien and Psycho. When playing such games, the use of special visual and audio effects serves to heighten the tension and provide extra thrills if you are lucky enough to have a winning spin. The flashing lights and unexpected shrieks or screams that come from playing horror-themed slot machines can improve the level of immersion and excitement that are experienced.
The use of camera perspective and soundscapes
As a final example, the world of horror films and thrillers commonly uses a range of camera perspective techniques to instill fear in the viewer. For example, the camera may be focusing on the main character as he or she explores a dark or foreboding building. In the background, you may then see a moment where something or someone quickly moves, unbeknown to the character. The uncertainty as to what you have just seen and the realization that the main protagonist is not aware of this occurrence is a key way to create excitement and fear in films. These camera perspective techniques are often supported using dark and unsettling movie scores or soundscapes. When combined and executed effectively, they can create truly thrilling and unsettling moments in film.
