Slowing Time in Literature
Slow motion in films is an incredible creative tool. Highlight that one action for however long it takes. No other distractions. Every element added is to enhance that moment. So music, sound effects, background chaos, VFX, and so on.
It works cause of the change in pacing. In Indian filmmaking, it’s a testament to announcing badassery. This is how you introduce or reinforce or bring back the hero in full form. Expect this moment to involve whistling, clapping, and hooting if you’re in a cinema hall.
Like any creative tool, it’s overused. And like anything assigned to a medium, it can be a crutch. People make fun of the movie 300 for having too many action scenes. (Save for Indians, who wonder why there wasn’t more. If you’re going to go there, go all out.)
But using it well can elevate any scene. Not only action films, but other genres too. Think romance — when one partner sees the other for the first time. Think horror — when the monster you thought was dead makes a comeback. Think fantasy — when the new world shows up and you get a panning shot.
It works for the following reasons:
- Spices up the edit and proceedings
- Allows the audience to focus and concentrate
- Can be a site for creative filmmaking
- Calms viewers down between lots of quick cuts
- Drives home emotions and performance, physical or facial
But have you seen something like this in other non-visual, non-linear media?
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In theatre, it would be a kooky experiment. In podcasts, fears that your player is not working.
In literature, though, it can be a powerful extension. In fact, any time you describe any scenario during another event is like slow motion.
Imagine a firefight where you take a breather from the action to describe something else. Filmmakers can do the same in films too. The effect is like slow motion.
But truly going there is another feat. And one you might think of taking. How to visualize it though?
It could be with a paragraph dedicated to one action. No extra dialogue, no thought process, no exposition, no cutting to another scene.
Only that action, repeated over and over. Why repetition? Cause a slow-motion shot is repetition in essence. The same thing shown for an extended period of time.
By now you see a possible complication. You can’t repeat the same thing over and over again. This is where creativity comes in. Or the chance to break free.
Remember how I pointed out above that slow motion is a site for creative filmmaking? It’s the same for writing too.
How many sentences can you write describing the same thing? With minor and major variations to ensure no one skims past that section?
That’s the challenge. If you ace it, see the effect it has on your readers. They’ll know there’s something special, something different about that paragraph.
Then it’s up and above with experiments, variations, and perfections.
If you don’t get there, it’s still good learning. The kind that helps you appreciate literature more. The kind we read and the kind we want to write and end up writing.
Until next time!
