Multiple points of view

What is it?

This are the various perspectives used to portray the subjects/characters in a film. They range from over the shoulder to close-ups. It also shows the characters’ views on a particular subject and this is called Point of View

How has it developed?

Multiple points of view can perhaps be described as the next step from following the action. To further add narrative and emotional effect, multiple points of view were used to portray the action through the view of the character.

Are they still relevant?

The fact that more filming perspectives are being developed proves that multiple points of view are still very relevant. Now shooting techniques have expanded from just having close-ups to Dutch angles and many more.

Pioneers

Notable filmmakers who used this technique are people such as Dick Barrymore who experimented by putting camera’s onto a helmet. This trick was later witnessed in Abel Gance’s 1927 movie ‘Napoleon’. Hitchcock also used this technique for narrative effects.  Griffiths was also a pioneer of this technique as he realized that emotions would be portrayed by different camera angles such as close-ups.