The Rock- Camera movement sequence analysis

In this task we had to identify the different types of camera movement in the car chase sequence of 'The Rock'. From this I was able to establish why the different types of shots and movement had been used; for example. the use of pan from long shots to mid shots of cars driving past the camera creates a sense of danger and urgency, in turn making the audience feel apart of the film world. From this task I have the understanding of different types of camera movements that I can use in my opening sequence. I have also learnt the importance of these movements and how they can create atmosphere, tension and emotion in a scene.

1.	The action is still at first and focuses on the owner of the Humvee, but as his car is stolen the action moves past us but does not pan; it then drops down to mid level where the action is taking place so it seems extremely close and dangerous; this is when the car is stolen and driving off. The use of close- up allows the audience to focus on an important detail in the screen, which in this case is the chase.
2.	The camera is right in the action, whereby the police chasing the stolen car is right in front of the camera. This makes the audience feel involved but safe knowing they will not be touched by the chase on the screen. There is then a close up framing of the characters face and upper torso with tracking that quickly moves towards us creating an increasing sense of urgency. This also allows the audience to identify with the character by knowing what they look like allowing them to base a judgement on them. Similarly the audience are able to see his facial expressions and therefore can read his emotion which adds to the realism of the scene.
3.	The camera is placed low down, almost at a worm’s eye view shot, which gives a different dimension to the scene. Similarly the camera is rapidly cutting between different angles and positions, which heightens the sense of action, danger and urgency. This is shown through the various different angles and shots of the high performance Ferrari. In addition to this, the fact the car is a Ferrari suggests action and speed, which parallels the genre and images on screen. The action moves away from the camera position but the camera does not follow, emphasising the speed of the car and the fast paced action.
4.	As Nicholas Cage’s character is in the car, the audience gains a view of his character rapidly changing gears, however it is from an unrealistic angle but gives a sense of urgency to the situation. There is a close-up framing of Sean Connery’s character, which allows the audience to identify with him by knowing what he look like, in turn allowing them to base a judgement on him. Similarly they’re able to see his facial expression and therefore read his emotions, which adds to the realism. As the scene progresses the camera drops from a higher level to mid level where the Humvee smashes through crates of produce. This increases the sense of urgency to the scene and also puts the audience in a powerful position as they see the action or consequence of action take place before it happens. The camera is again, rapidly cutting between different angles and positions, which heightens the sense of danger and urgency of the chase. The sequence ends with a car spinning away which fits in with the genre of action.
5.	As the police cars drive down the alley way, the camera cuts from the action coming towards the camera to the action going away from the camera from the next shot from the side street on looking the alley way and chase. The action/chase moves away from the camera in the side street, however the camera does not follow. This gives the audience the effect of being in the scene, however shielding from the action in the side street. There is then a quick pan of the police car and it then crashes into a civilian car. Following this there is parallel editing of the crash to give different angles and content to the scene. This allows the audience to feel like they’re actually right in the action as the cars get nearer and more intense.
6.	In this sequence the camera is placed in the car giving the audience the feel of being in the car where the action is taking place. Furthermore, the audience can hear what is being said even though the action on screen is moving fast, adding to this sense of realism. Similarly the camera movement seems wobbly which adds to the sense of realism, as it could be a hand-held shot from the passenger in the car. The camera moves to close up framing of the drivers face which allows the audience to see their facial expression therefore read his emotion, which seems to be intense.
7.	The camera is placed low down on the road and is a slightly canted angle. The action of the police cars comes towards the camera, however the camera is stationary. There is then close up framing of the characters face, which shows anger and urgency for objects in his path to “get out the way”. Throughout this scene the camera is rapidly cutting between different positions and angles allowing the audience to make links between the police and the stolen car. Due to this rapid cutting it may also make the audience feel a sense of disorientation are there is a lot of movement in the scene. The cars are then moving away from the audience with a slow pan of the camera.
8.	There is close up framing of the policeman and again the camera movement is wobbly which indicates they’re in a high-speed chase and are constantly moving. The audience can hear what is being said even though the action is moving fast, which gives them a sense that they’re in the car next to the policeman. There is also a close up shot of Sean Connery’s character, which allows the audience to directly compare the two situations. For example, the urgency of the policeman’s voice and the face of steal concentration of Sean Connery’s characters face.