Camerawork in Thrillers - UPDATED

Within the Thriller genre, camerawork is important as it is a way to keep the audience attentive to what is happening onscreen, and can make them focus on certain elements within a scene. Thrillers are often intense and active, certain scenes being made to make the audience feel strong emotions such as fear and excitement, and make them feel truly involved in whats happening. 

An example of this is in Jason Bourne, a Thriller/action film. In the two first scenes of this movie clip, we are shown the protagonist making an escape. The camera angles in this scene are designed to make the audience feel the intensity and risk of what is happening. An example of this are the canted and low angle shots that are often used. Using low angle shots makes the audience aware of the significance and power of the protagonist (Jason Bourne). In this shot the camera focuses on the moterbike as it moves, which emphasises its importance in helping him escape, and also shows the power of the bike, suggesting it is equal to our main protagonist. The canted angle used in this shot and many others in this scene suggest the disorientation and fast pace of the scene, emphasising the imminent threat and our protagonists need to get away. 

Continuously throughout this scene, the camera is moving. It is often shaking side to side and wobbling as it moves to focus on each moving character. Doing this adds to the intensity and pace of the scene, making the action seem unrehearsed and disorientated, adding to the realistic effect. The camera going astray as it attempts to focus on what is happening makes the audience aware of the number of things happening, adding to the disorientation of the scene. 

Another element of camerawork within these scenes is the use of whip pan as the camera moves to focus on the incoming threat. This quick motion of the camera adds to the fast pace of the scene, making it appear more intense and keeping the audiences attention. Moving to show individual parts of what is happening within the scene also makes certain that the audience are aware of the danger for the protagonist, and know what is happening within the scene. 

Point of view shots are also used within this scene. The view of the driver in this shot shows the vehicles quick swerves and movements, emphasising the danger of what is occurring. Doing this makes the audience aware of the instability of the characters, and makes them empathise with our protagonist. This also adds to the involvement that the audience feel, emphasising the severity of the situation.

In shots focusing on our protagonist, over the shoulder shots are often used. Doing this ensures the audience see everything the character does, and also adds to the empathy the audience are led to feel for the character, as they witness everything they do and are able to feel fully involved in the scene. In this shot, an accident is almost caused as the protagonist almost crashes into the SWAT van. This quick paced moment of fear added to the use of the over the shoulder shot helps to add to the involvement the audience feel, and keeps them feeling the tension and danger of the scene.

Close-up shots are also used in this scene, focusing on our protagonist Jason Bourne. The use of these shots is to show the emotions of this character as he attempts to escape. The determination on his face shows the audience his attitude towards his situation, emphasising the bravery and purposefulness represented in this character. 

The camerawork in these scenes show the action involved within the film, and present the overall fast pace of the film. Many of the shots, such as the point of view shots, close up shots and over the shoulder shots make the audience feel involved in the action, as well as making them empathise with the protagonist. The quick cuts used, especially in the first part of the first scene, make the action appear more intense, adding to the fear and thrill felt by the audience. Overall, the camerawork in these scenes make the action seem more realistic and fast paced, and focus on making the audience feel involved in the film. 

I hope to be able to replicate this use of camerawork within my own Thriller opening, perhaps making it appear fast paced, and using shots such as close-ups and point of view shots to make the audience see a situation from one characters perspective. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pOLr3k5Li4