Point of view perspective

Point of view perspective

Within our film we will use point of view perspectives to evoke the virtual reality element and to conceal the identity of the protagonist. The point of view perspective will allow the audience to believe that the Playback tapes allow the user to view everything as the original user. However, we understand the errors that can occur in filming in a point of view perspective as the footage can look amateur and unstable. I researched into the possible ways we could stabilize our footage and successfully shoot in this manner.

Films with this element often use GoPro or Stedicams. A Steadicam is a brand of camera stabilizer mount for motion picture cameras that mechanically isolates it from the operator's movement. It allows for a smooth shot, even when moving quickly over an uneven surface. Stedicams have been used in the films, The Shining, Birdman, Kill Bill, Artificial Intelligence, and Boogie Nights. The Steadicam within this high budget films are all used to depict the motion of the character and immerse the audience in the characters motion. I want the point of view perspective to also immerse the audience in the tapes, to separate real life with the tapes footage.

Shining and Birdman use of Stedicam

Hardcore Henry Head rig

GoPro camera

GoPro is a brand of  action camera that allows users to shoot footage in extreme environments and smoothly capture footage in a point of view perspective as it can attached to the body. It is lightweight, compact, and mountable and therefore effective for fast movement. There is a notable use of the GoPro within the upcoming film Hardcore Henry. It is the first feature length film to use GoPro technology entirely. To get the shots, Russian director Ilya Naishuller used a rig with the GoPro attached to the front, worn like a mask. The idea was to make a film entirely from the perspective of the  Henry, fighting his way through Moscow to save his wife.

Point of view footage from the film Hardcore Henry

Hardcore Henry

As our production is low budget, we can not afford to use GoPro technology or technology that will allow us to create stable point of view perspective footage. Instead we had to practice holding the camera at eye length and gently running with it to establish whether the motion of the camera would be too unstable. After a few attempts we were able to shoot point of view footage that was not smooth however, it was believable that it was point of view perspective and any shakes only added to the effect and genre of our film. Before shooting I had initially taken the inspiration of a point of view perspective from the film Strange Days and the Prodigy music video Smack My Bitch Up.
The film Strange Days uses the same concept for the point of view perspective as my short film. The characters are able to watch footage of other peoples's experiences in point of view footage. In the music video, the entirety of it is shot in a point of view perspective to deceive the audience into making them believe the person is a male, the twist at the end reveals it is in fact a female. I liked the concept of the video and how a point of view perspective can be deceiving and therefore I was inspired to commit to the point of view perspective in order to deceive my audience.