Lesson 7 camera shots

Camera

1. Camera shots, angles and movement

2. Learning Aims To know the range of camera shots, angles, and movements To understand why they are used To analyse a sequence exploring how camera has been used to create meaning.

3. Starter Label the shots, angles, and movements Explain why these choices might be made by a filmmaker

4. Exam Question Explore the connotations of camerawork in this 2 minute sequence from Luther episode 1 [8]

5. An over-the-shoulder tracking movement follows Luther through the factory as he chases Henry. His face is hidden from the audience. This suggests that Luther is the villain in this scene as we cannot identify him, contrasting with lots of shots of Henry’s face suggesting he is the victim. This also foreshadows what we later learn about Luther as being a maverick and sometimes taking on villainous qualities.

6. In contrast we see Henry in close-up shots focusing on his facial expression and emotions as he is being chased. This tricks the audience into thinking that he is the victim as we are positioned to engage with his emotions and feel sympathy for him.

7. A long two-shot is used to depict both Luther and Henry facing each other as they finally meet This connotes that they are against one another and at this moment we are positioned over Henry’s shoulder, continuing to suggest that he is the protagonist.

8. We cut between low angle mid-long shots to show both Luther and Henry as they come face to face This suggests that they have equal power in the scene at this moment, however we can also note that Luther’s body language to more open and threatening than Henry’s whose is more fearful.

9. When Luther confronts Henry we see his face for the first time in an extreme close up focusing on his eyes, showing his determination. This suggest that Luther is a focused character who is dedicated to catching villains, which is foreshadowing the events of the series as he hunts Alice. Extreme close ups are predominantly used on Luther to connote that he is experienced intense emotions and is emotionally involved with this case. This shows him to be the troubled police officer stock character.

10. A extreme long worm’s eye view is used to show the moment Henry falls through the bridge and is dangling high above the ground. This connotes that the power in the scene has dramatically changed and that he is now totally vulnerable and as the mercy of Luther. We can clearly see that if he falls he will likely die, which also suggests that Luther doesn’t always play by the rules as he doesn’t try to help him.

11. A hand-held tilt-up movement is used to clearly show Henry is now below Luther in the scene, completely changing the power status of the characters. The tilt-up emphasises that Luther has absolute power here, however it also shows that he doesn’t leans over Henry and doesn’t help him, suggesting his maverick approach to villains. This also links to Propp’s archetypes as we can clearly see the typically hero vs villain narrative taking place.

12. At the end of the scene we see Luther in close-up low angle shots contrasted with Henry in mid high angle shots. The low angle on Luther highlights the fact that he is in control, with the close up helping us to engage with his saddened facial expression as he talks about the victims. This helps to position us on his side and understand why he isn’t helping Henry. The high angle on Henry highlights the fact that he is vulnerable to Luther. A mid-shot is used to position us further away from Henry to distance us from him as the villain.

13. A long two-shot is used at the start of the sequence to depict both Luther and Henry facing each other as they finally meet. This connotes that they are against one another and at this moment we are positioned over Henry’s shoulder, deceiving the audience to think that he is the protagonist. In contrast we see Henry in close-up shots focusing on his facial expression and emotions as he is being chased . This tricks the audience into thinking that he is the victim as we are positioned to engage with his emotions and feel sympathy for him . An over-the-shoulder tracking movement follows Luther through the factory as he chases Henry. His face is hidden from the audience. This suggests that Luther is the villain in this scene as we cannot identify him, contrasting with lots of shots of Henry’s face suggesting he is the victim. This also foreshadows what we later learn about Luther as being a maverick and sometimes taking on villainous qualities. We cut between low angle mid-long shots to show both Luther and Henry as they come face to face. This suggests that they have equal power in the scene at this moment, however we can also note that Luther’s body language to more open and threatening than Henry’s whose is more fearful.

14. When Luther confronts Henry we see his face for the first time in an extreme close up focusing on his eyes, showing his determination. This suggests that Luther is a focused character who is dedicated to catching villains, which is foreshadowing the events of the series as he hunts Alice. Extreme close ups are predominantly used on Luther to connote that he is experienced intense emotions and is emotionally involved with this case. This shows him to be the troubled police officer stock character. An extreme long worm’s eye view is used to show the moment Henry falls through the bridge and is dangling high above the ground. This connotes that the power in the scene has dramatically changed and that he is now totally vulnerable and as the mercy of Luther. We can clearly see that if he falls he will likely die, which also suggests that Luther doesn’t always play by the rules as he doesn’t try to help him. A hand-held tilt-up movement is used when Luther is standing over Henry, to clearly show Henry is now below Luther in the scene, completely changing the power status of the characters. The tilt-up emphasises that Luther has absolute power here, however it also shows that he doesn’t leans over Henry and doesn’t help him, suggesting his maverick approach to villains. This also links to Propp’s archetypes as we can clearly see the typically hero vs villain narrative taking place. At the end of the scene we see Luther in close-up low angle shots contrasted with Henry in mid high angle shots. The low angle on Luther highlights the fact that he is in control, with the close up helping us to engage with his saddened facial expression as he talks about the victims. This helps to position us on his side and understand why he isn’t helping Henry. The high angle on Henry highlights the fact that he is vulnerable to Luther. A mid-shot is used to position us further away from Henry to distance us from him as the villain.

15. Synonyms for connotes… suggests highlights informs imply signify represents emphasises conveys