Camera Shots By Genre

This should have been uploaded weeks ago but was still on my drafts..

Thrillers:

• Commonly used a lot of close up shots to allow the audience to purely focus on the face of the (mostly) protagonist, to recognise their facial expressions and maybe even a specific detail about their character?
• Another frequently used shot is an over-the-shoulder shot. This is usually used to create dramatic irony, when we as an audience can see that there is the killer/'baddy' character stood directly behind the protagonist, which they themselves are unaware of.
• This isnt so common but is still used in thrillers to create a dramiatic effect. Extreme closeups of the face (usually on the eyes or mouth) add a sense of mystery if we dont know who the character is, but also makes the audience feel uneasy in a way as to get too close into their 'personal space'.Extreme clos ups can also be used on a particular prop thats important to the story line to highlight its importance, even if the audience dont know it yet. 

 

Social Realism:

• Establishing shot or long shots are used to set a particular scene or to introduce the characters in a less invasive way. .
• -Social realism is soley dependant on the setting to make the film convincing ior otherwise. So many shots do highlight the surroundings to make the audience aware of the characters background and therefore, the way the live their life.
• Point of view shots, allows us to see through the characters eyes, and so makes the audience feel more comfortable with the character and maybe even warm to the character.It allows the audience to feel as if they are there in the scene with the character
• Finally, close ups are often used to focus on the emotion of the characters, especially if they are angry or upset. 

Horror:

• Wide shots are used in horrors more often than in other genres, as the character is often not the main thing happening in the scene for example in the Paranormal Activity series.
• The setting is introduced to us to make use feel more comfortable with the environment, so it is even more effective when something unusual or strange happens.
• It could also highlight the stillness or isolation of a setting; creats a foreboding feel, or suspension. And as noone is in sight the inevitable feeling of helplessness or uselessness is intoduced.
• Wide shots are useful in horrors so the audience can recognise a strange figure but cannot see the face of the intruder- this may be crucial to the plot of the film.
• On the otherhand, close ups are used on the protagonists as it allows us to empathise with them, and see the emotions on their faces. It also builds suspense as we (the audience) cannot see and are not aware of the surroundings.
• Also in some horrors hand held cameras may be used, to give the effect of reality, which therefore makes it more frightening for the viewer as it 'could happen to them'. An example of this would be in the Blair Witch Project.