Camera movements and angles

Camera Angles

There are multiple camera angles which can be used when it comes to making a music video, each of these angles have their own meaning, they could be used to add an atmosphere or to show a relationship between 2 subjects.

Low Angle: This is very different to a High angles. In terms to achieve this correctly we would place the camera below the subject, we would use high angles to give the subject an image and portray them a certain way to their audience. For example if we look at N.W.A straight outta Compton, at 08 seconds we can see that there is use of low angle which portrays the subjects as being very powerful and dominant, because low angle was incorporated it is giving them an image of bravery and inspiring. They are also rapping about the criminal activity and expressing their anger against the police, again using low angle shows that they are on top of their game and they can’t be stopped.

High Angle:  This is when the camera is pointing downwards on the subject. In order to get the high angle you would need to be on a higher platform than the subject otherwise you would be on the same level as the subject. An alternative would be using a long tripod because it would capture the right height and also it would be a smooth recording. An example of a high angel would be Kida Kudz x Abra Cadabra – Roll up at 06 seconds we can see that neither a platform nor a tripod was used, this was a drone that was used to capture the high angle, this then makes the subject looks very fragile, and from the looks of the surroundings it tells us that they use of high angle wanted us to know that he was isolated and lonely.

Bird’s eye View:  Birds eye view are similar to High angle, bird’s eye view could be used as an establishing shot. The best way to get a perfect bird’s eye view is by using a drone, and letting it fly over the location or just stay static so the audience get a view of the surroundings. An example of birds eye view would be New Park Road remix we can see during the start of the music video, the drone is flying over the location to show the audience possibly how they run the area or just what the location looks like. And it also gives off the idea that God is looking down on them.

Camera movements

Track away: This is when the camera moves away from the subject, and the subject keeps walking towards the camera, this is done to create some sort of meaning, the way the meaning is interpreted depends on the artist in general and how they portray their music video. Now if we look at straight outta Compton again we can see that there is a lot of tracking shots this shows off power and control, control because they are able to control where the camera goes which is effectively the audience. The way you would go about doing this is by putting the camera on a dolly and then moving it away from the subject in order to get that perfect and sweet flow, then again depends on what genre of music it is, different genres would use it in different ways.

Dolly in: This is really straight forward, this is when the camera zooms into the object very slowly, you may put the camera on a dolly and then move towards you’re object aswell both ways are rather effective. This could have effects on the audience, trying to put them into the subjects mind or to see what he is feeling and going through.

Handheld: Handheld camera movement is very significant, because you do not need a tripod or any equipment just the camera and you’re hands. The way you would want to film something and how you would want to portray it would be up to you, because there are no specific rules in terms of using handheld camera, all that matters is how you use it, and if it suits the style because as we know different genre’s use movements and angles differently. Again in the Excess music video handheld camera was used mostly through out that music video, because they are teens all getting drunk and having the time of their life, the idea of using a handheld camera was showing realism making it look realistic. Furthermore there were some parts the boy and the girl were not getting along and then the camera would start shaking, this would be reflecting the everyday life and struggles in relationships hence why they used handheld camera to make it more realistic and believable.

Arc:  This is when the camera spins around the artist, an example of this would be in Excess when the camera is just circling around him, and this tells us that the world is revolving around him, and he might be confused or trapped and does not know what to do next.

Crash Zoom: Crash zoom is usually used to create an atmosphere and to possibly set a mood for the audience. Crash zoom can be just randomly, there could be a shot of something previously then all of a sudden on a zoom on a specific item or the subject, since the camera is interested in that item or subject, it tells the audience that’s what they should be focusing on. For this to work the camera would have to move quickly towards the subject so that it looks effective and professional.

Tilt:  This is when the camera is slanted to the side purposely to give of a meaning about something that is happening in the music video. Depending on the genre of music you can approach this  in various ways, for example if it was in terms of a rock music video it would be a handheld camera, and because rock is usually violent and hard core, it would be ideal to use a handheld camera to portray something is going on. An example of tilt is Pryce oliver – excess at 1:00 we can see that the tilt angle as been in corporate to show that she is distorted and confused, because she just finished taking shots, so the camera angle is reflecting her feelings almost putting us in the same atmosphere with her.