Camera Ideas

There are many ideas that can be explored when thinking about which type of camera effects that would be useful when filming our trailer. Each camera shot or angle have specific uses that generate a certain reaction from the audience, so when choosing the specific camera shot or angle it needs to be carefully done to give the best possible outcome for our audience.

We have chosen to use an 'extreme close up' shot whenever Dennis is on screen. (see still shots) The reason behind this choice is because our aim is for most of Dennis’s face to be hidden behind shadows or darkness. This suggests to the audience that this man has a darkness that he holds within. It also adds to the mystery of him; he’s never seen fully throughout the trailer which shows that the other characters in the trailer haven’t ever fully seen him either. This will also make the audience feel as if they too are in the movie as they are feeling the same way as the characters and are having the same experiences. Overall, the shot will create an eerie vibe that if Dennis has never fully been seen then how he is supposed to be caught?! These particular shots were inspired by director Stanley Kubrick - since he uses symettry within his films to create an eerie effect, however, since we do not have a huge budget, using a close up of the eyes helps to create symettry where we would otherwise be unable to.

'Close-up' shots of the character's faces will be a common feature in our trailer. (see still shot left) This shot helps the audience to register the raw emotion our characters will be showing. Choosing this particular shot was inspired by the classic psychological horror, Psycho as directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He used many close up shots during his films to really catch and enthuse the characters faces. This ultimately joins the audience into mirroring these emotions and feelings. These feelings will be hard to escape or ignore due to the adrenaline that is given by the character's faces being in a 'close up' shot on screen.

'Long shots' will also be used throughout the trailer. (see still shot right) This links Mary-Anne and her family, and family house all as one; signifying that the disruption won’t just be affecting Mary-Anne but the whole family home as well. This increases the tension as it shows Dennis’ capabilities to completely destroy a whole family to pieces. It also allows the audience to recognise the power of the human mind and how disastrous it could turn. By using a 'long shot' we are completely capturing all of Mary-Anne and her family into the shots, showing that all of her is being effected and this allows the audience to see her body language and her facial expressions mixed together to generate an ultimate reaction of emotion from the audience whether it be fear, anxiety or pity for the innocent woman and her family.

Other conventional shots will of course be used in our trailer such as 'establishing shots', 'medium shots' and 'medium long shots' (see stills below) etc, but these three (above) will be the ones that dominate our trailer and allow the success of the trailer to be higher as the chosen shots will be used effectively and to our advantage. Choosing these particular shots will give our group the perfect outcome that we have tried to achieve through thinking about which type of shots will be most effective.