How Camera Shots Are Used In Opening

Sequences To Create Meaning

By Danny Newell

Extreme Close Up

Here is an extreme close up of the main character on the phone. This is put in place because our main focus is on the phone and we want to see the display on the phone, which is the main character calling the police.

Close Up

Here is a close up of one of the main characters face. We want to see a close up because she has just witnessed her own husband jump off a 100 foot balcony and so we can see the distress and shock on her face as she watches her husband plummet to his death.

Medium Shot

In this medium shot we can see the two men exploring the attic. The camera shows everything from the knee to the top of their heads, and also there is a little gap at the top of the screen. This enables us to interpret the body language of the character, as well as the facial expressions and emotions on their faces.

Long Shot

In this longshot we can see there is space at the top and bottom of the shot. Also in this shot we can establish a bit of location so it is easier for the viewer to understand where this scene has been set.

Track

In this tracking shot, it is meant to feel like us (as viewers) are following the action. In this case we are following the girl around the room and are able to watch every individual movement she makes.

Pan

In this panning shot we see the camera first pointing at the main character, then the shot pans to the left. This builds up suspense because we don’t know what we are going to see when the camera eventually stops moving.

Zoom

In this scene the director has zoomed in on the woman’s face. The camera started further out and gradually got closer so that the woman’s facial expression is one of the last things we see.

Cut

When the scene cuts to another, it adds a big dramatic effect. In some films the scenes cut really quickly to show the action, but in this particular film, the cuts are irregular because the director has tried to build up suspense by making the scenes really slow and elongated.

Pace

The pace of this shot is really fast as it is meant to try and scare the viewer. This makes our adrenaline pump and we are so absorbed in the film’s energy and pace.

Performance

Here is a shot where there is 3 men having a conversation. The man in the middle is trying to make sense of the whole situation and we can see this from his facial expression. The man on the left is explaining exactly what has happened to Grace, and the facial expression on him gives us the impression that he can hardly believe it himself.

Diegetic

The diegetic sound in this scene is the sound of the door opening. As it opens it makes a tense creaking sound in which the character and the viewer can hear. This is effective because we can almost emphasize to the character who is enduring the scary moment.

Non Diegetic

The non diegetic sound in this scene is the eerie music in the background. It is being played by a violin and only the readers can hear it. This adds to the fear of what is going to be in the room when the two men eventually open the door, and send signals to our brain thus making us use our imagination to reveal what is lurking in the room.

Mise En Scene

In this scene we can see that the main character has discovered ‘The Grudge’. The main character is holding a lighter as she is using that to see. The camera angle is showing us an over the shoulder shot to almost insinuate that what the character is seeing, is exactly what we are seeing.