Suspense
Moving forward with feelings, I have a few themes that I am working through. They connect together so there may be some overlap. They are about being alive, the feeling of being on the edge. I will start with first one — suspense.
What is suspense? How do we create suspense? What are the ingredients that are needed?
Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty or anxiety. Suspense is also the anticipation of an outcome of a plot/scenario/result. It usually involves some risk, which heightens our senses and creates the uncertainty.
It comes down a lot to timing and expectation and anticipation. How long it takes for the moment to arrive? Is it as expected? Any gaps between the aspect of time and its actually occurrence create a void where suspense lives and grows.
Suspense is also created in irregularity. The sudden impulse that comes but is not predictable. The longer we wait for the moment even if we know it will occur, the greater the suspense. The Suspense turns on the nervous system heightening our capacity and focusing our senses. There is a distinction in different sizes of gaps effect. The large (day long) unknown gap moves into creating a feeling of longing, such an intense feeling - anticipation of the next event. The shorter gap creates intense pressure, its effect created in a compressed into a moment of time.
The length of the gap, heightening our feelings by exploiting the difference between expectation and occurrence, can be created for example through contrast in sequencing. After two impulses that were relatively close together or an impulse that occurs regularly, a longer unexpected gap before the next impulse creates uncertainty building up suspense. It strokes fears in our body that cause the build up of anxiety, not knowing when the next impulse is going to come, yet expecting it none the less.
Feeling wise suspense is the buildup of anxiety/ pressure/ tension through uncertainty, fulfilled by a rush of relief caused by its release. This can be and is manufactured! It is an internal emotion that drives us and is powerful enough to cause irrationality.
There is also a component of desire needed. The more we care about the outcome, the greater the suspense. It works best when it is personal or one feels a deep connection with the subject. When we care or are invested in the outcome, it heightens suspense’s intensity.
There is the experiment of rats being fed. When they are fed at a regular interval, they are calm. They trust that the food is going to be there at a certain time. When there is no predictability to the timeframe they are living on edge. The body kicks in a natural preoccupation with sourcing its next food/energy and therefore sets anxiety to move us in different directions ands give us drive all in the name of survival. It is wild!
Risk is also a big component to the intensity of feeling in suspense. It’s the definition of uncertainty. How much is at risk? Are there adverse outcomes that I can / can’t avoid / take. It can be as simple as rejection to life threatening situations. The interesting thing is that our body reacts through the nervous system in the same way. And it is exhilarating, making us feel alive!
There are many exercises that I can put into dance to replicate suspense. Two people running at each other with the aim of stopping as close as possible. Two people moving together in each others personal space with the idea of not touching each other. Both have a risk, uncertainty over an anticipated outcome which sensually are engaging. The first has time shortened to a defined moment, the second - the longer it goes the greater its intensity. Each delve into suspense through heightening the senses.
Suspense is also a key plot component, working around the same feelings and principles as above. The difference is we are the observers instead of the protagonists. Key is an emotional connection to the situation. This makes it believable. Again, emotional connection is created through authenticity and vulnerability, causing a basis for care.
It all links together… ;-)