Research on cinematography Miss Miller

As part of studying my chosen thriller clip, I'm looking at it's cinematrography. By this term, I mean it is the technique of photography which involves both shooting and developement of a film. The clip that I have chosen is fatal attraction and I have chosen this because I believe that the cinematography involved in it represents a good explanation and examples about cinematography.

insert picture

During the first second of the clip, there is a clear panning and midshot as the male character walks up to the boiled cooking pot that contains a dead rabbit which is revealed earlier on within the film. Using panning allows the audience to follow the movements of a specific object/person and see the movement. It makes the audience feel like they are part of the film because it feels like they are following the character around and ultimately part of the scene. Also a midshot shows anything from the waist up, which is ultimately the most expressive part of a person’s body, which helps build tension which is commonly used in thrillers which allows the audience to be able to see what the character is feeling and allows the audience to sympathize for the character.

insert picture

What I have also identified that is used is steadycam and tracking. This expresses exactly what the director wants to be shown, for example, the fact that steadycam is used show’s that despite the wild atmosphere there is still a sense of balance and stability... or there will be by the end of the scene, this creates the element of reassurance that despite what's going on, there is going to be a balance in the scene and peace. The tracking in this clip compliments the steadycam because it also comes to and from something whilst the focus remains constant on the shot. This appeals to the audience because the tracking allows the audience to witness what's going on through a clear vision despite the manic action of which is currently taking place at that moment.

Insert picture

Another angle used is aerial, where the man is drowning the women and the aerial view shows the audience what is happening from a different point of view, so instead of the audience living  the story through the characters, the audience is watching what's happening and that they shouldn't be there and this creates the audience to feel sympathetic to the current victim being drowned which turns to be a plot twist as despite the suspense filled clip, the victim turns to be the complete opposite and actually seems to swap places with the female who is initially the first who had intentions to murder. This shocks the audience and makes them feel unsure and more on edge to want to watch the film as a sudden change of heart grows, and you don't want the current victim to be killed at that specific moment.

Insert Picture

Point of view is also frequently used in a thriller, it is crucial in them because it allows a build for tension. At this point, the audience can clearly see from the victims point of view of the man that she claims to be 'love of her life' is being strangled and drowned which creates a sense of unease and unknowing. By showing what the person can see, through point of view, it helps give an insight to the audience about how the particular character is feeling, in thrillers, it is often used when a character is close to death and involves the audience because it makes them feel like it could happen to them and shows the reality of the situation and therefore it relates to angles that are conventional to thrillers.