The POV Shot — The Art of the Subjective Camera and "Point of View Shot"

A visual guide to the Point of View Shot (POV shot) with some of the best POV shots in film.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to POV Shots
00:50 - Romance
01:33 - Sci-Fi
02:28 - Mental States
03:15 - Omniscient
04:14 - Found Footage
05:20 - Horror
06:18 - Action
07:08 - Wrapping Up

The Point of View Shot (also called the POV shot) is more than just one of the basic camera shots for filmmaking, it’s a direct connection to the characters on-screen. By looking through the character’s eyes, we take one step closer to empathizing with them. Whether we are meant to share their fear, their suspicion, or their love — the POV shot has proven to be an essential tool in filmmaking and directing. In this video essay, we’ve collected examples from many genres, eras, and perspectives to illuminate just how versatile the point of view shot really is.

One of the most common applications of the POV shot has been in horror films and thrillers, especially when adopting the killer’s point of view. This can bring suspense and a heavy dose of dramatic irony to these moments — the thrill of watching and the fear of being watched. But this is just the beginning of how a filmmaker can use the POV shot.

Think of a romantic movie, when our lead first sees his love interest. We don’t just watch somebody fall in love, we have an opportunity to fall in love at the same time. Think of how much tension is added in found footage with point of view shots — when the unpredictability of the camerawork dictates what we will see...or not see.

In science fiction, and the realm of aliens and killer robots, we have an opportunity to see through a completely foreign point of view. It’s a clever technique that allows us to understand how strange and unfamiliar these characters are. The spy genre is perfectly suited for the POV shot — when watching characters from a distance is simply part of the job. With telephoto lenses, security cameras, and binoculars, the point of view shot is a natural choice.

Finally, the POV shot is perhaps the only way to visualize and experience a character’s mental state. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, poison, or insanity, seeing through the character’s compromised point of view is a common filmmaking technique. This again can be used for a variety of outcomes — for drama, for terror, for humor, or something in between. By now, it should be clear that the point of view shot is a tool any filmmaker can use in almost any situation.

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VIDEO EDITOR: BRANDON SCULLION
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Songs used:
Busta Rhymes (Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See)
Emeralds - Candy Shoppe
Bunson Burner (Ex Machina Soundtrack)
Great Leader Has Fallen - Makeup and Vanity Set
The Horrors - Mirror’s Image
Tannhäuser Gate - Makeup and Vanity Set
Title - Disasterpeace (It Follows Soundtrack)
Survive - Hourglass
I Only Have Eyes For You Karaoke Version (Original version by The Flamingos)

Spotify Playlist ►► http://bit.ly/pov-pl

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Music by Music Vine ► http://bit.ly/2IUE0pT
Music by MusicBed ► http://bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq

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