In this video,
we're going to talk about watching
and being watched.
"- I see you."
To see what a character sees
and to feel what they feel.
This is "What is the POV Shot".
Similar to literature
cinema has the potential to switch between perspectives.
"- Camera one. Camera two."
There are countless ways to do this
with an equal number of effects.
"- Bet you can't answer any questions now though, huh?"
Let's take a look at the various genres, techniques,
and effects that all rely on the point of view shot.
"- Do you mind?"
Romance.
"- What kind of bird are you?
- I'm a raven."
As we've seen, POV shots
can be a fantastic way to connect with a character.
In intimate and passionate scenarios,
soft lighting and romantic music can only do so much.
But when you add POV shots into the mix,
we don't just watch someone fall in love,
we can fall in love at the same time.
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Sci-fi.
"- What's your problem?
I said, what's your problem?"
In science fiction, the realm of aliens and killer robots,
the POV shot is a way to see through
a completely foreign perspective.
A clever way to help us truly grasp
just how strange and unfamiliar these characters are.
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"- Mommy?"
Mental states.
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When you need to get inside someone's head
and not only see what they see
but feel what they feel
the subjective point of view shot
gives us a front-row seat for a character's altered mental state.
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So far, we've been discussing subjective point of view shots.
But let's expand our understanding of this technique
to include an omniscient perspective.
Every effect of these POV shots can be applied
without assigning the point of view to a character or device.
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"- I hope they are watching.
They'll see and they'll say,
Oh, she wouldn't even harm a fly..."
"- She's in pain."
Found footage.
"- She needs something stronger."
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Found footage adds a meta-layer to the POV shot.
"- It's the first time, ladies and gentlemen, in over two decades ...
that the mother ship has shown any sign of movement..."
Found footage brings a sense of realism
that few other filmmaking styles
outside of documentaries have been able to achieve.
"- The pyramid behind me has only three sides."
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"- I'm sorry to everyone."
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"- Oh, man."
Horror, thriller.
"- Careful now."
In thrillers and horror films,
the POV shot is nearly required in a shot list.
"- Eddie, you want to try it?"
Shots like this play into the power of watching
and the vulnerability of being watched.
And we sit helpless
waiting for the inevitable.
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"- Now, you're in the sunken place."
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Action.
Sniper scopes.
Binoculars.
Helmet cams.
The action genre often wants to put the audience directly
in the line of fire.
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When you master the POV shot,
you can bring a new perspective to your work.
This starts during the shot list and storyboard process.
Choose the shot specs in advance
and bring your character's vision into your vision.
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We'll be watching you.
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