What is 'atmosphere' to you in a book or movie?

[Gerald]

So often people talk about the atmosphere in a story being good or bad, but it's hard to pinpoint what exactly creates atmosphere.

Do you feel atmosphere is only related to locations or characters too? I tend to think it's to do with both, although the atmosphere to do with locations seems more instantly tangible.

And which elements create the atmosphere the most to you in a story?

 

[Gerald]

Is there a time limit to how long you can edit posts? And how long is it?

It's hard to use the forum currently for technical reasons for me, it doesn't run well on my computer. However I appreciate answers greatly, it's not always possible to reply though.

 

[Dana Jean]

I think you have 30 minutes.

 

[blunthead]

I think you have 30 minutes.

I think it's only 10 minutes, at least it is for me. I've contacted Jordan about it, since my understanding was that unmoderated members have 30 minutes time to edit.

 

[Kurben]

Atmosphere being good or bad.... I think the most important is that there is an atmosphere to it. Sometimes, or i think often, there is a lack of atmosphere in books. These books doesn't necessarily be bad but after a read you feel kind of indifferent towards them.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...atmosphere is the "mood" of the story created by both character, setting and plot...

 

[Kurben]

What i meant by bad atmosphere need not be a bad thing... It depends on the subject. I remember a movie, it was about trafficking and the thing the victims, that is what the children went through, Therefore not a good atmosphere in the movie but it was captivating and a really good movie. It did not have a happy ending for example and just for that reason the movie was stronger and it really shook the viewers. Not a feel-good movie but a good movie. Not an escape from reality but a case of this is the reality.

 

[doowopgirl]

...atmosphere is the "mood" of the story created by both character, setting and plot...

Perfectly put. When you get that sense of the mood the aurthor is trying for.

 

[mal]

I see it as the tone or ambiance of the milieu or environment in which the story takes place. I separate that from character, setting, and plot (sorry GNTLGNT). You can have a happy-go-lucky murderer in an extremely dark setting which reeks of foreboding.

 

[Grandpa]

For me, the atmosphere is the environment that's been created by the writing and and that enables me to feel it and fill it in on my own without the need for more detailed and ongoing description by the author.

 

[blunthead]

I don't know enough technical artistic stuff to answer how atmosphere is created, especially in terms of literature, though I know it when I read it. I know that I prefer a mysterious, suspenseful atmosphere in movies and literature, and that I believe that every aspect of a work of art is part of every other aspect. In other words, I think atmosphere is created when all elements in a work are connected, probably subliminally, in a scenic theme meant to enhance the telling of the story.

 

[staropeace]

I crave atmospheres that make me feel cozy. That doesn't mean that it has flannel sheets strewn through the works of it. I like reading a good ghost story full of stormy nights and evil unknowns flitting hither and yon. That would not necessarily sound like a warm situation but it is...to me, the reader. Barbara Michaels was the berries when it came to a cozy. A good atmosphere carriers the reader all the way to the ending. It comes right after....."and then what happened?"

 

[blunthead]

I crave atmospheres that make me feel cozy. That doesn't mean that it has flannel sheets strewn through the works of it. I like reading a good ghost story full of stormy nights and evil unknowns flitting hither and yon. That would not necessarily sound like a warm situation but it is...to me, the reader. Barbara Michaels was the berries when it came to a cozy. A good atmosphere carriers the reader all the way to the ending. It comes right after....."and then what happened?"

So, you're cozy when you're scared? I think maybe I am, too.

 

[staropeace]

So, you're cozy when you're scared? I think maybe I am, too.

There is nothing like being scared to make one appreciate feeling cozy lol. Imagine if your little village was being threathened by a vampire at night....how dear the dawn would be then. Monsters aren't safe. Safety equates with cozy and that is SOME atmosphere.

 

[blunthead]

There is nothing like being scared to make one appreciate feeling cozy lol. Imagine if your little village was being threathened by a vampire at night....how dear the dawn would be then. Monsters aren't safe. Safety equates with cozy and that is SOME atmosphere.

Well, I know you're a night owl anyway.

 

[kingricefan]

...atmosphere is the "mood" of the story created by both character, setting and plot...

Exactly! And sometimes the atmosphere actually creeps off the pages of the book- 'The Exorcist' is a perfect example, for me anyway, I can't even hold that book in my hands without getting chills.....
Another one would be 'Revival'....

 

[mjs9153]

Atmosphere can be cozy,and scary,and comfortable even,when you have seen a movie before,say..like the opening scenes of the Thing,1982.The vastness of the country,the repetitive heartbeat sound of the soundtrack..sets the atmosphere well.

 

[mjs9153]

Exactly! And sometimes the atmosphere actually creeps off the pages of the book- 'The Exorcist' is a perfect example, for me anyway, I can't even hold that book in my hands without getting chills.....
Another one would be 'Revival'....

I never read the Exorcist,is it really good?I well remember the first time I saw the movie..me and a buddy stayed up,having beers,we were just out of high school,both raised Catholic,and let me tell you,while it can be funny at times now,that first time scared me badly..I pretty much don't go in for superstition now,but that movie kept me awake afterwards until it got to be daylight..

 

[kingricefan]

I never read the Exorcist,is it really good?I well remember the first time I saw the movie..me and a buddy stayed up,having beers,we were just out of high school,both raised Catholic,and let me tell you,while it can be funny at times now,that first time scared me badly..I pretty much don't go in for superstition now,but that movie kept me awake afterwards until it got to be daylight..

It's not a terrically well-written novel, it just kind of clunks along, but, d*mn, it gets under your skin, slowly at first, then picking up speed with its non-horror-like scenes of disquiet and unrest, until you're rather creeped out by what's happening. You're already a believer in the devil by the time the first weirdness happens.

 

[AchtungBaby]

...atmosphere is the "mood" of the story created by both character, setting and plot...

As always, Scott said it better than I ever could. Haha.

It's not a terrically well-written novel, it just kind of clunks along, but, d*mn, it gets under your skin, slowly at first, then picking up speed with its non-horror-like scenes of disquiet and unrest, until you're rather creeped out by what's happening. You're already a believer in the devil by the time the first weirdness happens.

Gotta agree with this. It's not "technically" a well-written novel but it's still one of the only novels to truly frighten me. The others being 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, and Ghost Story.