01/10/08 Lesson task: Heroes clip

This is the clip that I will be using for Wednesday's lesson:



See if you can identify the various camera shots/angles/movement/composition in this one.

Here's what we looked at in lesson relating to the clip:

In this sequence, the camerawork shows the change between what appears to be a typical teen drama to a horror film sequence.
The opening shot uses a focus pull shot to move between a mysterious figure looking at photos in a trophy cabinet to a shallow focus of his clenched fist. This establishes that the mystery figure is there for a sinister purpose and that the sequence is set in a high school.

The locker room scene uses medium shots to establish the cheerleaders in conversation. These also reveal their uniform identity through their clothing. The scene also uses typical over the shoulder shots for the main 2 characters, both cheerleaders. In this case the over the shoulder shots achieve a sense of conflict and argument in their conversation as the camera cuts back and forth between the two.

Camera movement in the whole sequence is effectively used to show the change in pace and atmosphere. For example, most of the shots in the first part are static or slow moving. We see this when Jacqui enters the locker room. However, the pace changes when in the scene the lights go out. The camera then uses a crash zoom from longshot to close up, with a low angle shot on Claire's face to mark this change. Her distress and panic is also marked by the use of this shot, which is typical of the horror genre. It presents her as a potential victim.

Note that this is just an example of how to link techniques to their effects, being specific about the content. You don't have to write about the sequence in order. Instead, try grouping the main examples of camera work (shots, angles, movement,composition and framing) and consider how they create meaning over the sequence.