Camera – The character of a film

Camera – The character of a film

This particular post does not just talk about the technical part of the camera, but how the camera also plays a character in a film. Obviously you all know that without having a camera it is impossible to shoot a particular film right? I mean without a camera how will you ever record the film and portray it on screen to the viewers. Basically there is more importance about the camera just that pressing the record button. You see, as almost everyone knows a camera is the one which is handled by the cinematographer.  He/she will basically make the frame look perfect, and add color to the story of the film also. The cinematographer of the film is the director’s vision who is portraying it on screen for the audience. As I had said previously in my post that the quality of the film is depended on the director, and the cinematographer the most (considering the production part) no matter how well our cast will act the role.

 The vision can be viewed because of the camera only, so it’s very vital for not making the movie look flat. The camera is also a part of the character in the film. Basically it also helps to connect the audience to the film emotionally. The actor/actress of the film is obviously the ones who plays the role of the character written in the story, but over here the camera takes place in portraying that particular emotion in a much appropriate way. Even the camera adds reality to the film, also making the audience believe what they are seeing as well. Let me consider the example of a ‘Pan’ shot. We can take an example of a scene where as character is moving, and suddenly a car moves in front of her. So over here the ‘Pan’ shot can be taken in her point of view of that particular car enhancing the look of the particular scene, and look even real to the audience as well. The camera can also be played in dramatic or the suspense scenes as well. If we want our audience to stick to their seats, and bite their nails as well, the camera should be able to create that suspense. Like considering a scene where the murderer is about to be caught in the story, the camera can be moved in such a way which will make the audience curiosity rise even more. These all techniques is visualized in the director’s mind, and portrayed by the cinematographer. He/she should know how to make the camera be a part of the film, and also add more emotion as well.  As a film maker you should also avoid confusing the audience. The audience can be confused due to your frame being too much complicated. As a cinematographer you should also make sure that a simple scene should look easy as well as make it realistic instead of dramatizing it when it is not needed.

The camera movements also helps the audience ‘be a part’ of the film. Creating the effects is done by the editor for sure, but the outcome of the effect will be interesting only depending on how the raw cut will.

In genres like horror, camera also plays the protagonist in the film. If the director wants to create that particular ambiance in the cinema hall, where people will be filled with fears, the camera movements should be successful in that part as well (especially with the music). So the camera also helps create that particular ambiance also. It also helps to give more suspense to the plot, and make the story look even much better on screen. The camera work can be best if the cinematographer will understand the film the way the director has. So for a cinematographer, the camera also should be treated as a character of the film, and also create the ambiance, and emotions which makes the audience enjoy the film also.