Camera Work Analysis

Shot Types

• The Resident (2011)• Gone Girl (2014)• Prisoners (2013)

Chosen Trailers

Medium ShotMedium shots are used in the top and bottom

screenshots of my choosing to present the relationship between two or more characters. In the Gone Girl screenshot Ben Affleck’s character is being watched by an elderly couple next to a

picture of a missing girl. From this we can deduce the elderly couple are the parents of the

missing girl who is the male protagonists wife/partner. The Prisoners screenshot shows us how the two male protagonists (although on the same side) can oppose each other and become angry in what is perceived to be a quite tense

and volatile friendship.However in the middle left screen shot from The Resident the medium shot is used purely for the purpose of showcasing the characters dress and what she is doing (pouring drinks) this presents a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere to show that the character’s everyday lifestyle will inevitably take

a turn for the worse.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners

Close UpsClose up shots are mostly used in my chosen

trailers to bring the expression of a character to the forefront of the scene. This brings the

individual’s emotions to the forefront of the viewers mind through the reading of body

language and facial expressions. In all 3 of my screenshots close ups have heightened the

emotion portrayed by the character to the point where the audience will adopt a similar

viewpoint of the situation at hand. For example in the ‘Prisoners’ screenshot the male

protagonist has a vengeful expression which is made unavoidable by the close up, this engages

the audience more with the feelings of the character making them hungry for retribution

within the plot of the film.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners

Extreme Close UpsIn the Gone Girl screenshot an extreme close up is used to present

a photo to the audience which is integral to the plot line.

In the middle screen shot of ‘The Resident’ an extreme close up of the antagonists eye has been used to further the disturbing and

perturbing effect the feeling of being watched has on the audience. With this scene there is no choice but to use an extreme close up as the character is looking through a very small gap which would not be recognised by the viewer any other way which reinforces the point that the protagonist has no idea they are being watched.

Extreme close ups are used in the ‘Prisoners’ trailer to show a figure we cannot see drawing a series of lines, leaving the audience

to question what the drawing is of and wanting answers. This engages the viewer further.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners

Over the Shoulder ShotIn all three of my chosen trailers an over the

shoulder shot is used to showcase the protagonists interaction with either another

character or an image central to the plot line.In the Gone Girl screenshot Ben Affleck’s

character consoles his crying wife and we see his arms up, hands touching her face. This use of the over the shoulder shot leads us to believe

that the two maintain a physical relationship but the look on the female characters face makes the audience question whether she fears the

physical capabilities of her husband.In the screenshot from the resident the

protagonist can be seen looking at CCTV footage, this provides more information on the plot of the film (being that there is a stalker in

the protagonist's home).The screenshot from Prisoners is similar in that the over the shoulder shot is used to show the detective protagonist examining a clue key to

the plot of the film.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners

Establishing ShotEstablishing shots are used in all 3 of my trailers to present the environment where the majority of the plot of the film will unfold. The Gone Girl

screen grab portrays the film as taking place in a built up urban city environment (recognisable by

the inclusion of a bridge and cars).The screenshot from ‘The Resident’ trailer is taken in the middle of a panning shot of an apartment. This gives the viewer a general

overview of the apartments layout indicating that this is where most of the action will take place. The same technique is employed in the

Prisoners trailer screenshot however the inclusion of the sky and trees indicates that the mid winter outdoors will be a primary setting.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners

Long ShotThe examples of long shots I have used all

expose the full figures of the people shown on screen.

The Gone Girl screenshot showcases a silhouette of Ben Affleck’s character which is emphasised through the use of a long shot, this exaggerates his size and imposing walk makes the character

appear more physically formidable and someone to be feared.

In contrast to this the screenshot from ‘The Resident’ exaggerates how dainty and fragile the female protagonist appears by showing her full

thin figure.The screenshot from Prisoners utilises a long

shot again to emphasise the small stature and fragility of featured characters however on this occasion the figures depicted are two female

children.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners

Low Angle ShotThe low angle shot from the gone girl trailer

positions the male protagonist higher in the shot than both the missing persons profile and the

elderly couple this can be inferred by the audience to mean that Ben Affleck’s character is

of greater importance in the film.The low angle shot used in the screenshot from

The Resident helps emphasise the female characters struggle to break open a locked door from this angle we see her try and wrangle with the lock to no great effect which portrays her as

weak and helpless.The final screenshot from Prisoners exposes the

body position of the male protagonist as he bends over with one arm outstretched to steady himself over a drop of some sort. From the scenes before

this we can deduce that the situation could be dangerous and the fact that this low angle now

showcases his weak stature presents him as vulnerable in the situation.

Gone Girl

The Resident

Prisoners