Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Point of Veiw


Enter the void (2009) makes extensive use of P.O.V as much of the film takes place from the perspective of Oscar's disembodied soul as it floats between the lives of those close to him following his death. This psychedelic sequence charts the effects of his DMT trip to create an immersive and believable viewing experience and the continued use creates a more intimate bond with the character.

 

This music video for The Prodigy's 1997 single Smack My Bitch Up portrays the subjective experience of a night of hedonism and debauchery. The antics on display and chauvinistic gropings lead to the assumption that it is a male perspective we are witnessing however the final mirror shot reveals it to be a woman! M. Night Shyamalan couldn't have seen that twist coming.


John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) revitalised the stagnant horror genre and ushered in the age of the slasher film. This opening sequence is shot entirely in P.O.V. as the audience are given insight into the child killer's perspective through the eye-slits of his mask. This technique incriminates the audience into participating with the murder in an unsettling way.


Alfred Hitchcock uses optical P.O.V. shots in Rear Window (1954) so that the audience share the voyeuristic perspective of L.B. Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart) as he spies on his neighbours whilst confined to a wheelchair. The shots help to pull the audience in and identify with the characters situation more. The same formula is repeated throughout, showing an objective shot as the character looks out the window, followed by the P.O.V. of his neighbours activity, returning lastly to a reaction shot. 
Occasionally a close up substitutes the point of view, emphasising the characters increased attention on what is unfolding.

Channel 4 comedy Peep Show (200) uses mounted head-cams for a more intimate perspective on interactions of Mark (David Mitchell) and Jez (Robert Webb) and the others in their lives. The subjective camerawork lends a deeper insight into the experiences of the characters, especially when combined with their internal monologues which often provide a juxtaposition between the awkward situations they land themselves in.

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