Friday, 17 September 2010

Camera shots and movements

Camera Shots and Movements


This list identifies all the camera shots and movements that I’ve learned so far. However, to distinguish which of these are used in thriller movies I had to watch some and combine and signify the shots which typically are associated with the genre.

The most recognised camera shots accustomed with thrillers, I gathered through my research were, extreme close ups and close ups. As I’ve seen from a lot of films these key shots are typically used to portray the key aspects of the film genre, which are usually the suspense and tension that make it thrilling – the closeness constitutes for the build up in the film which usually hides all else except what it is in the close up, until its final unveil – when the camera shot moves out exposing the awaited thrill adding more impact.

Camera movement is a way of enhancing camera shots. A key camera movement common with the thriller genre as I’ve discovered is the tilt shot. The upward/downward movement help connote power and weakness in thriller movies. The upward movement signifying characters in power e.g. the hero/villain and the downward tilt implies victimised characters playing positions of weakness – this being a popular trait in this genre.

Another camera movement key to the genre is a panning shot. Following a character across a scene left or right to show were their going or what they are doing – helps add suspense at certain scenes e.g. walking across a room to find a dead body. They are also usually exhibited when there is a lack of dialogue to music or at the beginning of the film to pan across a location to set the scene.

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