Research Into Camera Angles-Miss Miller

Camera Angles
19-9-13
Vasil Nikolov

In cinematography is the technique of movie photography, including both the shooting and development of the film. In movies, camera angles are very important as they display in different roles of the characters, what is happening and what their emotions are.

The film I have chosen to use as my example for the different type of angles is “Taken”. Even though there is a lot of action in it, it is counted as a thriller due to camera angles, Mise-en-scene and other factors such as music.
(link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IPt91Yf8_M):

-The first camera angle is called Establishing shot. This type of camera angle defines the location and gives the audience a perspective of what is to happen. In this case, we see two people with suitcases at the airport waiting for a taxi. The audience would not suspect that something horrible could happen as the scene shows an everyday airport situation. This is convectional for a Thriller movie as it uses this technique in order to show the audience that even something normal as catching a taxi may escalate into a trap for the primary/secondary character. The audience themselves would feel calm as the situation looks normal (Time in the clip 00.00.00). 

-The second camera angle which was seen was at point 00.00.03, is called a Two Shot. In a two shot position, the camera shows two people who are of equal importance. In the shot, the two characters (evil guy and victim) are having a normal conversation. In thriller movies a two shot usually shows how both characters are acting towards each other. The audience will feel pitiful towards the female character as they know that the male is a kidnapper. This is unconventional for a thriller as the killer or villain is usually with a hidden identity in order to create an enigma for the audience.

-The third camera position used is called a Close up. Close ups show a smaller part of the scene, in order to emphasise on an object of importance. In this case it is the face of the taxi driver (00.00.19). The audience can relate that he looks confused and scared of being hurt. This can be related to victims seeing their killer or being hurt in order to share their fright/pain with the audience. It creates a relationship between the character and the audience as they start to feel close to him and sorry for him as he might be hurt or he might lose his car. Thriller films use this angle in order to familiarise the victims or heroes with the audience.

-At 00.00.30, there is another angle involved. It is called a Canted Angle (It can be also accepted as a high angle). This type of angle suggests instability and imbalance. In the shot, the main character has been pulled out of the car and has started a fight. From the angle, the audience can realise that the result or winner of this fight is uncertain. The Audience would start to support the character as he is displayed as the week fighter from the two in this shot. They would also create a warm relationship to him as they would want him to win. In thrillers such as this one, the fights and gun points/chases use this type of camera angles in order to create suspense in the audience.

-At 00.00.41, the audience sees through Liam Neeson`s eyes that the kidnapper has ran away from the back seats of the taxi. This type of shot is called a Point of View shot. It engages the audience in what the character sees. Thrillers use this type of angle in order to put the audience in the shoes of the character and make them imagine what the character is thinking in this situation. It creates a sense of contribution in the audience as they would probably start to comment on which way he should go. They would have a positive relationship as they would want him to win and retrieve his beloved daughter.

-At 00.00.48, the audience sees the face of Liam Neeson, who is trying to start up the car and catch the kidnapper . The camera itself is handheld, in order to create unsteady images and produce a sense of urgency and chaos. This creates suspense in the audience as they start to feel confused and ask themselves, whether Mr. Neeson will catch up with the Villain or the policemen will catch him.In thriller movies, cameras are usually handheld in order to create panic in the audience so they would experience more fear and curiosity.

-At 00.00.49, there is a sequence of shots using the Panning angle. This type of angle is used when an object, in this case the taxi with which Neeson is chasing the kidnapper of her daughter, who is running, wounded towards the interchange for the motorway is moving. This way the audience picks up dynamic action from the two characters and feels involved as the camera is also at eye level. The camera itself is positioned on the pavement were people walk in order to look like the audience is an onlooker passing by and seeing how the event escalates.  They would also start to feel worried for the person who is running as in this case, he will be portrayed as the victim (even though he was the kidnapper of Neeson`s daughter). This is typical for a thriller film as they have small plot twists in order to interest their audience in watching the film to see what will happen. The fast pacing of the camera creates unsteady images, which create suspense and uncertainty in the audience, as they do not know what may happen. Thriller movies use these angles in order to show the dynamic movement of the object/character it is filming.

-00.01.29 marks the start of the Steadicam scene. In a Steadicam scene, the camera remains steady as it moves around. In this scene the kidnapper jumps from the bridge onto a trailer. Using this camera technique, the fall looks graceful and interesting for the viewer as he has enough time to see what is happening and think on what may follow. The audience would build a negative relationship with him as he looks like he is winning and Neeson will not be able to catch him. Stedicamss are not always used in Thrillers as they do not create enough suspense. However they are used more in action films in order to give enough detail to the audience with what is happening. This type of angle is used in action films a lot more. Sometimes steadycams are used in thrillers to show a scene in which the background can be seen, giving enough detail to the audience.

-00.01.41 is the next commonly used camera angles in thriller movies. It is called a High Angle. This type of angle is positioned above the object, making it smaller. In our case, not only does it make the kidnapper smaller, but it also portrays him as the victim as one second later a lorry hits him. This would create fear in the audience as the previous camera angle could make them believe that the villain has recovered from the fall and will escape. However he doesn`t, as immediately after he recovers from the fall a lorry hits and kills him.

And finally we see the last camera angle, which is a Long Shot. At 00.01.52, Liam Neeson returns to the airport following the aftermath of the encounter with the kidnapper (which is a lot of car crashes). Long Shot angles are used to show the entire object (Liam Neeson) and a large amount of the background (The aftermath from the car chase). This way the audience can see the amount of chaos created from the chase between the two characters. It is used in thriller films to show what challenges the characters have gone through, so the audience has a pity for them or feel disturbed from the character`s actions.

These are the ones which are mainly used in thriller films. There are many more angles used, however not all can create the amount of tension, chaos and at the same time show emotions from the characters.