How Are Camera Angles Used in Science Fiction Films?

Filmmakers use a variety of angles and perspectives to set the mood for their films.

In film, many techniques are used to set the mood, establish scenes and convey the emotional state of the characters. Dialog, music and film techniques are all used for these reasons. In science fiction, film angles can help establish unreal situations and landscapes and establish characters. Camera angles can impart information about characters and scenes in subtle ways.

Establishing Otherworldly Locations

Establishing shots and high angle shots establish the location of the scene. These help the audience understand the wider world in which the movie takes place before closer shots establish the smaller scenes and characters. They also can help when the movie locations change, providing continuity. Bird's--eye view shots are also both high angle and distance shots, but usually of a smaller area. They can help establish relationships between characters and between characters and other elements in the film. These shots are particularly helpful in science fiction movies, where scenery might be otherworldly.

Emphasizing Characters' Emotions

Close-ups help illustrate a particular character or other important element. This can help focus in on a character's emotional state, aiding or even replacing the function of dialog. Low angle shots emphasize a character and may demonstrate the character against the background or other people. It can show how important one character is compared to the others or how important the character's emotional state is to the scene.

Advancing the Narrative

Medium shots are usually even shots that capture characters from waist height and are basic shots that help move the narrative and add detail. Eye-level and over-the-shoulder shots provide the audience with a more common angle that is used to help advance the narrative and show exchanges between characters. These angles make an audience feel involved in the action.

Conveying Strangeness

Oblique angles are slightly skewed, tilted to one side or the other. In science fiction movies, these shots convey strangeness. They can be of the character or represent the character's point of view. Used in these ways, they can highlight the strangeness of the action or the derangement of the character.

Involving the Audience

There are many other ways in which camera usage can affect and highlight science fiction films. A camera can pan, or move in a continuous motion, which establishes the whole of a scene or a larger area in more detail. Tracking shots follow characters as they move, so that an audience feels involved in their movements across a scene. Tracking is particularly useful in battle or other fight scenes with a character who is moving through a lot of action.

References

• Skwirk/Red Apple Education: Camera Shots, Angles and Movement
• InPoint/Pacific Cinémathèque: Language of Films

Resources

• InPoint/Pacific Cinémathèque: Language of Films -- The Film Shot, Camera Angles and Movement