Storytelling Sessions: Silence in Film

Mascha Deikova

Storytelling Sessions: Silence in Film

Mascha Deikova
1h 20m
8 modules (view curriculum)

$29/month
When billed annually.

  • Total Time:

    1h 20m

Description

The first webinar in the Storytelling Sessions series explores silence as a storytelling tool in modern filmmaking. A rare topic, yet so impactful! Silence, both in films and in life, can take on many qualities: sometimes scary, other times soothing; tense and awkward; creative, or even maddening. In this recorded live session, we examine how to use silence in your stories to create a specific impact on the audience. We approach it through a mix of film theory, philosophy, and concrete scene examples from acclaimed films and series. What does the absence of music make us feel? How does an awkward, unspoken pause in dialogue shape a scene? When and where do truly silent moments wield their greatest power? Discover the answers to these questions and much more in this webinar.

All film excerpts shown in this webinar are used solely for educational and analytical purposes. Spoiler alert - Some examples in this webinar reference important scenes and story developments from selected films.

Modules

Introduction

01m

This opening module helps set the stage for the webinar. Mascha briefly introduces herself and the kind of film work she does, and shares why silence has become such an important topic in her creative practice. The module also outlines what to expect from the webinar and why paying attention to what’s not said or heard can shift the way we approach storytelling.

Silence in General: Its Types and Effects

10m

Silence is not a single thing — it comes in many forms and qualities. In this module, we break down different types of silence and look at how they function emotionally and narratively. From uncomfortable pauses to calming moments of stillness, the focus is on how silence affects us as viewers and why it is important to think of silence as a storytelling tool in film.

Silence in Dialogues

07m

This module focuses on silence as an active part of on-screen conversations. Together, we look at pauses, unfinished sentences, and moments where characters remain quiet instead of speaking — and how these choices shape relationships and power dynamics. Alongside film examples, the module includes a fun practical exercise directors can try with actors, as well as a simple listening practice for real-life interactions.

The Power of Subtext, or Listening Between the...

09m

What’s left unsaid often matters more than the words themselves. In this module, participants explore subtext as a key storytelling tool and discover how new meaning emerges through actions, reactions, and what characters choose not to express.

The Absence of Music in Films

16m

In this part, we look at what happens when music is deliberately left out. Mascha examines scenes where the absence of a score sharpens reality, increases tension, or creates a stronger emotional connection with the viewer. We also talk about the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic music and analyze two very different film examples where silence is far more effective than a musical score.

Silence in the Plot

01m

Here, silence is examined as a structural element of storytelling. Through narrative examples, the module shows how silence doesn’t just affect individual moments but can become a driving force of the plot, influencing the overall arc of a film.

Total Silence

14m

This module focuses on moments of near-total, all-consuming silence in films. We look at silence not as something static, but as something dynamic — a powerful contrast that can sharpen attention and emphasize crucial turning points in a story. This is where the core ideas of the webinar crystallize into its most important takeaway.

Q&A and Quiz

17m

The webinar concludes with an open Q&A session, where Mascha responds to participants’ questions and reflects on the themes discussed throughout the course. This final module also includes a short quiz that invites you to revisit key ideas and check how your perception of silence in storytelling may have shifted.

About the Educator

Mascha Deikova

Director, Author

4 Courses

Mascha Deikova is a filmmaker based in Austria and co-owner of the video production company Holy Moly films. She works on commercials, music videos, corporate films, and documentaries. Mascha’s passion lies in exploring cinematic and narrative techniques for storytelling, as well as emerging AI tools for streamlining mundane tasks. She regularly writes about these topics for CineD.com.

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