This is my analysis of camera for my a2 media studies coursework on the horror genre.

1. Individual Analysis of Camera
There are many different camera shots that successfully feed
meaning to the audience, and create a narrative for a film.
Firstly, a close up shot. A close up shot is effective when showing
a character’s facial expression; this allows audience’s to see the
emotion that the character is feeling,
meaning they could understand the
narrative better. A close-up can also be
used to tell the audience specifically
what they should be looking at, for
example, by zooming in on the most
important item in the frame. An example
of a close up shot can be seen to the
right.
Another important shot, especially
at the beginning of horror movies,
is an establishing shot. An
establishing shot sets the scene of
the movie, and reveals more to the
audience. These are effective as
they immediately tell the audience
what sub-genre the film belongs to and hint at what the narrative
will involve. For example, if we see an establishing shot of an
isolated house, audiences will be aware that the film is probably
going to be either a slasher or supernatural film.
A high angle shot is used in order to show dominance over
someone. The person we see in a high angle shot is perceived to
be weaker and under the
control of the other characters
in the film. This is because
the audience are placed in a
position above, showing
they’re in control. High angle
shots can also be used in
order to show that someone
is looked down upon in
society, for example, youths
or ethnic minorities.

2. A similar shot type is a low angle
shot; in horror, a low angle shot
would increase fear in the
audience as they are being looked
down upon by the antagonist. This
would make them feel in danger,
whilst making the antagonist feel
powerful and dominant in that
situation.