Multiple Points of View

Multiple Points of View

At the editing stage, depending on what the subject is doing, the editor will switch between different camera angles. The range of distances and angles will bring shape, texture and depth to the scene rather than using just one shot.

Multiple points of view are a technique used when camera shots are filmed from a number of different character’s point of view. This enables the audience to see exactly what the character is seeing which can make the audience feel more involved in the action.

Difference between ‘following the action’ and ‘multiple points of view’ – the audience are eventually focused on a single piece of action and seeing that action from many different points. 

Effects of the 'multiple points of view' technique:

• Enable the audience to see a bigger picture and help them understand fully what is     going on
• Add dynamism to the action making the scene more engaging
• Manipulate time: observing the same action from multiple perspectives extends time
• Reveal key information from different perspectives

In this clip from Jaws, before the shark attack, the camera shows points of view above the water as to what surroundings the children are in (splashing and screaming in the sea) and how it would appear to be. The audience then gets a point of view shot from the shark underwater, showing its intentions. While the child is being attacked the camera switches to a point of view shot from above the water, however the sounds of the children playing in the sea conceals any sounds from the attack. These multiple points of view enable the audience to see exactly what happened as well as how the other characters in the film saw the events.