Camerawork: blog tasks

 1) Pick three camera shots from the Doctor Who scene and explain what type of shot it is and what meanings or effect they have on the audience.

• The opening establishing shot clearly shows the characters getting off a boat and walking into the restaurant. This both sets the scene for the following action and also confirms the characters are very rich.

• The extreme close-up on the main character's eye at 0.52 successfully communicates the intensity of the scene and the mixture of fear and emotion he feels as he watches his son being kidnapped. This effect causes the audience to sympathise with the main character and wonder what will happen to the boy after being taken.

• The over-the-shoulder shot shows the main character recognises the man who saved the boy and that the man with the face injuries is not who he says he is. It is also a medium close-up which allows the audience to see the confusion on the main character's face and the realisation that he has seen him before. 

2) Pick one camera angle that is used in the scene and explain the effect it has on the audience. 

The high angle shot looking down on the man who has been beaten up shows his powerlessness and that he will rely on others to make him better.

3) Pick one aspect of mise-en-scene from the scene and explain what connotations are being communicated to the audience.

 • The restaurant setting helps to communicate the wealth and power that the main character is dealing with. It is clearly a luxurious destination and the way the family greets the owner shows they go here often. The costumes support this with characters wearing expensive clothes and wearing sunglasses.

Extension task

Go back to the opening scene of Stranger Things that we analysed for mise-en-scene. What camera shots can you find that are significant in communicating meaning? Are there any particular camera angles used to tell the audience about the characters or narrative?