A classic scene that terrified audiences back in the day was that moment in Halloween where an out-of focus Michael Myers (“The Shape”) sits up behind the traumatized Jamie Lee Curtis. “Behind you! BEHIND YOU!” The audience screamed. The audience knowing something threatening that the character doesn't see plays into that Alfred Hitchcock explanation of SUSPENSE.
This kind of thing has been used to similar effect elsewhere…it's a powerful trick for putting an audience on the edge of their seats.
Not to mention the VERY common reverse of this Background-horror trick where we get goosed by something in the FOREGROUND. Can be super effective when done right.
The same tension can also be used for comedy -
I don't know exactly why it works, but somehow, wacky shenanigans going on in the background, unnoticed by other characters, can be funnier.
I've done a tiny bit of this in my comics over the years - it occurs to me now as something to use a little more often!
See you next time (I'll be in the background)
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Actions and the Unaware
Banes at 12:00AM, Feb. 29, 2024
5 likes!
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PaulEberhardt at 4:45AM, March 2, 2024
There's nothing like a bit of background action to give a scene that extra kick, where there would otherwise just be unused empty space. In comics, it's also a good way to get the pacing or timing exactly right: for instance, if I were to turn the last of your examples into a comic sequence, the guy with the broom would provide a time frame for the two ladies' dialogue. Besides being funny as hell, every reader can tell that whatever the two are saying to each other, they're probably talking fast. And vice versa. You can do similar things to great effect with a dripping tap - faucet, sorry - or some kind of wind-up toy or whatever. Or a tiger stealthily snatching food from a table, or something. Each could either be foreground or background action.
Banes at 11:01PM, Feb. 29, 2024
@Hockey Webcomics - I almost used that scene in the article. Happened to find a preview for a new Strangers movie and used it instead (the gif with the redhead lady). Looks like it's using a VERY similar visual language/vibe to the original film.
Hockey Webcomics at 8:15PM, Feb. 29, 2024
Ever watched to The Strangers, with Liv Tyler? I don't really like the film, but it features this "stealth horror" scene that's absolutely the best. Unfortunately it's one of the few good things in the film - to me. And it's even depicted on one of the film posters, which makes a good poster, but to me it's a mistake because I think it should be kepted to the movie alone, like keeping a horrific surprise to the audience.
Ozoneocean at 6:57PM, Feb. 29, 2024
I've hinted at stuff in the background many times in my comics. I have more fun with the speech of background characters in crowds though.
dpat57 at 7:27AM, Feb. 29, 2024
Reminded me of pantomime shows where the kiddie audience would all yell, "Behind you!" to the apparently unaware leads at the front of the stage, who look around as they hear strange voices calling to them, but have no idea what they mean.
EssayBee at 6:12AM, Feb. 29, 2024
Yeah. The Zuckers/Abrahams guys always had a knack for the background gags. From Frank Drebin fighting a fish and his pained, "YEEAAAAHHH!" reply to the villain's question, to the folks eating stretchy cheese pizzas in the background in Top Secret! (along with a zillion other background gags in those movies), their catalog is a treasure trove of such gags.
bravo1102 at 4:22AM, Feb. 29, 2024
Hot Shots! And Hot Shots part deux Had some great background gags. The monk auditions for the girl while the colonel talks to Topper Harley? Inspired.