1. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 1: Medium Shot
The first camera angle is a medium shot showing us the
face of one of the three robbers. His (Robert De Niro)
face seems to be very calm, yet his eyes rapidly dart in
different directions. This maybe because he is trying to
identify the positions of his team and the environment
(security guards, bank workers, etc,).
2. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 2: 2 Shot
The second camera angle is the 2 shot. This camera
angle shows Robert De Niro fending off a couple of
policemen while supporting an injured Val Kilmer. This
shows a valiant trait of De Niro’s character by depicting
his loyalty. The contrast between the two buildings in
the back may also represent the two characters; the
tall one being De Niro standing tall and Val Kilmer as
small or ‘under his(De Niro’s) shadow’.
3. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 3:Shallow depth of field /3
Shot
The third camera angle is mix of 3 shot and shallow
depth of field. The 3 shot shows that there are three
robbers involved while the other shows the people
kneeling and the perimeter set by De Niro and Tom
Sizemore. This shows off the massiveness of the bank
and how the three men are in control of the
environment.
4. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 4: Over the shoulder
The fourth angle is an ‘over the shoulder shot’ and shows us
Val Kilmer’s point of view. Here, we see what he sees as a
dead end.
5. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 5: Extreme long shot/3 shot
The fifth camera shows us an extreme long shot
combined with a three shot. Once again, the three shot
shows us the three characters in a line (possibly
signifying their unity), while the extreme long shot
shows us how the characters are trapped and
surrounded on both sides (hence De Niro looking back
while Kilmer and Tom look forward).
6. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 6: Extreme Close Up
This is an extreme close up. The camera basicallyzooms into
a particularpointof interest (facial features, etc,). Here we
see De Niro’s eyes, very calm yet at the same time very alert.
This shot allows us to see that De Niro is obviouslyvery
focused…
7. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 7: Overhead Shot or Bird’s Eye
View
This shot is called the Bird’s Eye View or the Overshot.
This shot maybe used in this particular scene in order
to cast a rift between Tom Sizemore’s character and
the rest of the citizens. This shows the bankers
kneeling and huddled up into groups while Tom stands
alone as an individual, possibly showing his dominance
and superiority in this case.
8. Media Studies Home Work
Camera 8: Very Low Angle
This angle is referred to as the Very Low Angle and is
used to make certain figures appear larger than they
are in order to give it a certain effect or to draw a
certain emotion. In this case, De Niro’s character hops
onto the ‘wall’ to gain everyone’s attention as he
makes announcements/demands. This indicates that
he is the man in charge and that he (metaphorically
speaking) stands above all others like a God or a higher
power.
