use of camera

Use of camera

how do directors use the camera in their films?

 A directors main role is choosing the creative aspects of film making through cameras, they use cameras for both technical and creative aspects. They use the cameras frame to envision what the mise en scene and setting would look like through it. They use cameras for shots and angles to show the realtionship between characters, developing the plot and creating a tense atmosphere for the audience. Many directors use cameras to present significant themes and yo express their distinctive style. For example, David O'Russell has always been a vey professional and popular director in film production. In his last three films 'The fighter', 'Silver Linings Playbook' and 'American Hustle' his significant visual   techniques have became more prominent.

In 'The Fighter' he began to increase camera movement using Steadicam rigs. Steadicam rigs is a camera stabilizing device that gives smooth movement for tracking shots that can be only handled manually by the operator. We begin to see camera movement when the camera moves towards a character, away from them and even in circles around them.

Sometimes the camera is used for effects for genres and sub- genres. For example, in Romantic comedy a two shot at medium shot distance is very popular because it is used to express the developing relationship between the characters. Also, they use a lot of close up distance shots to express the characters emotion and facial expressions. In a romantic genre, there will be a lot of mixture of emotion presented such as hurt, joy, passion etc… so the camera movements and shot transitions would be smooth to portray the genre.

Another example would be in horror genre, popular camera angles used would be high angle, low angle and tilted angle. Prominent camera shots and movements in horror genre would be close up shots, tracking and panning movements. A high angle is typically used to make the subject in the shot seem vulnerable and low class. A low angle is used to make the antagonist seem powerful and dominant. A close up would be used so the audience can empathise and study characters reactions and feeling or capture focus points in the shot. Close up shot are commonly used for jump scares because you dont see any of the background or surroundings so it would be unexpected for the audience. The movements panning and tracking is used to follow a character such as the protagonist or victim. Also, it can be used  so the audience can etablish the mise en scene and location of the shot. The tilted angle is used to make the audience feel like the are one of the characters and to take them out of reality. This angle gives the effect of seeing through a characters eyes so the audience can perceive the characters perspective on the situation.