Oscar Wilde once stated, “This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.” Anticipation is what keeps the viewer from knowing the unknown but is also what keeps one interested. “Alma” by Rodvigo Blaas, is a cartoon that shows the story of an adolescent girl who wonders into a mysterious doll shop. In this short film, the director uses several methods to ensure a suspenseful mood. These techniques include ominous use of sound, a strange setting and various camera angles. Out of these three, the music and noises heard throughout, create a certain uncomfortable mood.
First, the strange sounds or, lack there of, added to the film, definitely keeps the viewer at the edge of their seat throughout the short film. To start, while Alma turns to the store to see that the doll in the window looks like her, the joyous music suddenly stops. As the audience realizes the similarities between the two, one begins to understand that the presence of the look-alike doll is foreshadowing an unexpected ending, which makes the watcher’s anticipation even greater. Next, Alma’s curiosity peaks when she is reaching for the strange object in the shop. Just as she is about to grasp it, Alma trips over
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To prove, Alma gleefully strolls down the dilapidated ally alone, with no caution. Even over the cheerful music, the viewer suspects the vulnerability of the child and can sense that no good can come of her careless curiosity. Also, one can notice that there were many “missing children” posters plastered on the walls of the street. This suggests that, previously, there were several children where Alma was which was now deserted for an unknown reason. Based on the number of posters there are, the audience can infer that Alma may suffer the same fate which creates a certain tension and eagerness. Universally, setting an ominous and secluded environment, impacts the overall feel of the