Analysing camerawork in TV Drama

 

Merlin (BBC)

Different shots found in sequence:
- Close up
- Mid Shot
- Two Person Shot
- High Angle (half wide)
- Overshoulder
- Wide
- Tracking





How is the importance of the setting and action emphasised by the camera movement?

At the beginning we are shown the antagonist in a mid shot who then throws down the swords and the two male protagonists have to fight eachother. The two characters (Arthur and Qwaine) are shown in a two person shot which symbolises they are friends and are together. When they talk to eachother it cuts to close ups of them talking. This establishes who is who and what they feel about the situation just by their eye contact. Without using dialogue in that shot is very powerful, because it is all said by body language and the camera shot. 

When they both pick up their swords and face eachother it cuts to a high angle shot, showing them in the 'arena' which highlights they are alone and must fight because there is no way out. High angle is very effective in making them look small and helpless, because you are positioned below you which emphasises they are at their last resort. Overshoulder shots and close ups flick back and forth in the fight scene. The overshoulder allows you to see more sword action and the opponents reaction. The tracking of the characters is hand held so the shot is shakey and sudden, this emphasises the situation and the fast pace action within it. The cuts between the shots are quick and keeps up with the speed of the fighting. 

Through camera movement you can establish the emotion the characters are feeling through the close up shots which make you intimite with the characters (there are no close ups of the antagonist because you are supposed to feel distant from them) and keeping in close to the action. The high angle and wide shots set the location and the situation of where the action sequence is taking place.      

What is the effect of the choice of camera shots?

The choice in camera shots are more effective then if you were to go with several mid, wide and extreme wide shots, because you wouldn't have the same reaction. You'd be far away from the action and it would be boring to watch. With the camera shots they have used you are close to the action and in some areas its hard to make out what happened which gives it that sense of mystery, but at the same time you get to see some action. If it was all in wide shots then the action would be slow and have no exciting edge, it would look fake and unrealistic.