Key aspects of mise-en-scene: Camera

Camera:

In terms of the camera, a lot more goes on than the viewer gives credit for. Like props, no camera movement or technique is accidental. Sometimes the camera is used to describe something that words can't, and sometimes it is used to divert the audience's attention from something and towards something else. Even in the news, when people are interviewed a depth of field effect is sometimes utilised.

The camera plays a great part in aiding to tell the story of the scene. Fast camera movements can connote danger and urgency, and a slow, panning movement can work hand in hand with dark lighting set-up to create suspense.

Using techniques such as depth of field can promote an air of isolation, as if the character, or object even, is alone and deep within his own thoughts, unhampered by the events surrounding him. The way that we see the atmosphere around him (blurred and distorted) is how he sees events at that time -- nothing makes sense to him. The depth of field technique is a visual representation of that, as the audience aren't able to fully make out the blurred surrounding.

The focus of a shot can be further emphasised through the use of motion-panning, where the camera focuses upon the movement of the character who the director wants the audience to look at. This may seem like an obvious technique -- camera follows character -- but the message of the scene can change drastically depending on how to camera follows the focus.

For example, a camera that pans and follows a character would, of course, tell the audience to follow him, but for the camera to stop in its tracks, only for the character to continue walking, would suggest that he has exited a building without showing him go down stairs or waiting for an elevator, only for him to be show outside in the next shot. It is implied. This type of technique could even tell us that we are done with this character for now, and that we are moving on to something else.

There are also varying close-up shots of characters that can display the mood of the scene. They are all very simple to follow and interpret, and yet so effective in conveying the intended messages. An extreme close-up 3 would be typical to a horror or thriller film, used when someone is being chased, accompanied with, perhaps, heavy breathing and panting, and wide eyes. A medium shot would be employed between two people having a conversation, and of course, westerns have come to enjoy extreme close-ups during duel scene.

Actually, it's interesting to note that a western duel is able to successfully switch from an extreme close-up to a full figure seamlessly, not looking out of place.

There is the point of view shot, or POV, which puts the audience directly in the shoes of the character. It is a powerful camera shot, as it lets the audience see exactly what the character was looking at and leaves no room for ambiguity. This is even more so apparent with the combined use of depth of field.