Exclusive Interview: Director Theo Calhoun on Crafting Suspense Without Cheap Tricks

We sat down with director Theo Calhoun to discuss his approach to suspense, the value of rehearsal, and why he avoids relying on jump scares or manipulative sound cues. His filmography demonstrates a commitment to psychological tension and grounded performances. This interview explores his process in detail.

On building suspense organically

Calhoun emphasizes that suspense is a collaborative craft built from script, performance, and design. He told us that the key is allowing scenes to breathe—resisting the urge to cut away or overexplain. "People feel suspense when they have space to wonder," he said. "If you tell them everything, there’s nothing left to fear."

"If you tell them everything, there’s nothing left to fear." — Theo Calhoun

On working with actors

Calhoun prioritizes rehearsal and improvisation, fostering trust so performers can inhabit moments of silence or subtlety without anxiety. "My job is to create conditions where the actor can surprise me," he explained. "That’s where genuine suspense emerges—when an actor makes an unexpected, truthful choice."

On sound design and the ethics of manipulation

Rather than manipulative sound cues, Calhoun prefers layered environmental sound and diegetic sources. He argues that artificial shock elements—like sudden stingers—can work, but they shouldn’t substitute for real narrative tension. "A well-designed world creates its own unease," he said. "We shape sound to make the world feel alive, not to yank the audience out of it."

On pacing and editing choices

Calhoun collaborates closely with editors to preserve scene integrity. He described a process of 'triage edits' during which scenes are shortened only if they don’t reveal new information or emotional shifts. For him, editing is about sculpting rhythm rather than maximizing beats per minute.

On influences and philosophy

Calhoun cites classic thrillers and slow-burn filmmakers as influences but insists on carving his own path. "I love Hitchcock for his structural genius, but I’m fascinated by directors who let human unpredictability complicate plot mechanics," he said.

Advice for emerging directors

• Invest in rehearsal: Time with actors yields unexpected moments that can become the spine of your scenes.
• Design before effects: Build tactile worlds; effects should enhance, not substitute.
• Respect silence: Allow audiences to sit with uncertainty—don’t fill every moment.

Theo Calhoun’s approach demonstrates that suspense doesn’t require gimmicks—it needs patience, craft, and trust in performers. For filmmakers trying to build tension that lingers, his methods are an instructive roadmap.

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