Opening Sequences

Clueless - Use of Camera

The use of camera in the opening sequence to Clueless is very effective in introducing the genre and characters of the film.

At the very beginning of the film the camera is constantly moving; using a variety of pans, zooms, tilts and hand-held camera work which helps to portray the lives of the characters as interesting and exciting. It also uses a wide range of different shot types such as crane shots, close ups and long shots, this continuous changing of shots also aids in the representation of an exciting lifestyle and is extremely eye catching  to the viewer. In addition to this it also helps to present the genre of a coming of age/ romantic film as it is very upbeat, also as it is aimed at a younger audience the movement is needed to draw their attention.

This hugely contrasts to the slow pan which hardly moves at all when the father appears, which helps to show how strict and corporal the characters lifestyle is. The camera then tracks the father around the kitchen which helps the audience to link with the main character as she is following him around as well.

Finally, there is close ups of the two girls in the car, this helps to show how important these two characters are and how vital they will be to the story. 

Camera Movement

Camera movement is used to do many things such as to direct the viewer's attention, reveal off-screen space, provide narrative information, and create expressive effects.

Most frequently the camera will move when an object moves within the frame, therefore re-framing the shot or creating a following shot. In a following shot the camera itself will accompany the movement of the object with the use of a track, crane or hand-held shot allowing the audience to lead a figure into space, pursue a figure from behind or float above, below, or alongside.
This technique is not always used; the filmmaker may direct the camera away from the main action for other reasons. This draws attention to itself and is usually used sparingly to emphasize significant narrative details.

Camera movement also has the ability to create suspense and surprise, this is done by either revealing or concealing space. Also very slow camera movements within long takes focus the viewer of the passage of time and build narrative expectation.

Here is a mind-map I made showing all of the different types of camera movement:

Here are some examples of some camera movement:

Tracking shot



Pan



Tilt

The Rock – Camera Movement sequence analysis

NAMES:   Serena and Kirsten J  Date: 16/10/12
1.	Firstly the camera zooms in on the character that is speaking going into a close up frame, emphasis on what he is saying , also the camera could be subtly zooming into the action. Then the action (which is the car) drives towards us along with people chasing it. The action comes towards us – the camera is mostly stationary. This makes the audience feel like they aren't completely in amongst the action but are observing in from a safe distance
2.	Then there is a cut to the police cars following the car that had been stolen and the action moves past us but does not pan again like the first scene the audience feel like they aren't completely in amongst the action but are observing in from a safe distance. Then there is a cut and the camera is placed low down and produces a low angle shot and the camera is right in the action as it is attached to the character following him through the crowd of people from the front as it is a low angle shot it could show how the character is powerful or has a lot of power as he is also shoving people out of his way with ease which also shows the importance of him
3.	The worms eye view shot at the beginning of the scene literally attached to the tire highlights the speed of the car and the camera is placed where no person could realistically be (not a potential ‘point of view’)but the camera is right in the action.. Then there is a cut to the gear-stick of the car which is a significant object within the scene and the audience sees the action from several points of view There is close-up framing of the car
4.	The camera is stationary as we see the car drive away then the camera movement is handheld and jumpy to again emphasise speed and the way the car is shaking which can be seen as bringing the audience into the movie. we are again attached tot eh bottom of the car from a worms eye view Then camera cuts from the action coming towards us with a straight cut to the action going away from us. and when the car crashes into the other car we see this from several different angles including  a brief pan, mixed in with other camera angles and shots and points of view and the camera is high up which produces a high angle this is for the audience to feel like they are watching the action from a safe distance but still feel part of it.
5.	In this shot the camera is at high angle which gives the audience a brief sense of overview (where they can begin to see more of what is happening), also the camera is moving down and zooming in toward the cars racing towards it, this keeps the sense of speed and movement. It then cuts to a frame inside the car in which the camera movement is jumpy and moves with the car, this could help the audience to feel the speed of the chase and identify with the character (he’s being thrown around in the car – the camera is jumpy). We then cut to a shot where the camera is attached to the rear of the car in a sort of tracking shot this again helps to emphasise the speed of the car as everything is rushing past it. Then there are many fast paced cuts as one of the cars crashes showing the crash from many angles – this again emphasises speed and also draws attention to the crash and making it seem more devastating. Then it cuts inside the car to show the drivers facial expressions – this helps to show the sense of urgency that the character is feeling. There is also a shot of on lookers of the chase with the action rushing by them – this helps to emphasise speed and also helps to heighten the drama of the chase – how it is affecting people in their everyday lives.
6.	The handheld jumpy camera movements in this shot help to connect you to the characters and make the audience feel drawn into the action. Also as the camera is zooming in and out of the characters face it draws attention to him and the importance of the dialogue, this also slightly disorientates the audience which helps to link with how the characters may be feeling. Also the fact that the camera is moving rapidly again helps with the emphasis of speed and urgency.
7.	The camera is at a low angle and does not move allowing the action to rush past emphasises the speed and also makes it feel like the cars are high up which helps to add to the sense of danger. Shot inside car showing facial expressions – showing the difficulty he is having with driving which heightens the sense of danger and the possibility of a crash.  Camera is far away and jumps with cars this gives you a brief overview of the action but also keeps you connected as you are still moving with the cars. Quickly cutting closer to the action helps to keep the sense of speed and danger and keeps the audience connected to the chase. Facial expressions of urgency emphasises his dialogue of “get out of the way” and helps to make the audience approve of him as even though he’s the one being chased he is still worried about the safety of the pedestrians. Low angle shows STOP on floor – gives a sense of irony in that they should be slowing down but it seems that they are speeding up. Shot giving an overview of the town this again helps to show the height and sort of gives an air of what’s to come as it is looking down the street, but also stays connected to the chase as the camera tilts up as the car seemingly jumps over the camera.
8.	The handheld jumpy camera movements again draw the audience into the action and connect with the characters. Also the camera zooms right into the characters eyes which shows us his facial expressions of determination and helps us connect with what he’s feeling.