Camera angles/shooting style affect how much you like a movie? - Blu-ray Forum

Batman1980 · 12-30-2009, 04:28 AM

I usually don't notice but it REALLY bothers me when a cameraman can't keep his gear steady and sucks at centering on subjects. However, unlike others, the jittery camera affect doesn't bother me as long as it's intentional and not accidental. What do the rest of you think?

styl3s · 12-30-2009, 04:33 AM

i do hate this whole "shaky cam" shit hollywood has been obsessed with lately.. but it doesn't effect how much i like a film.. if it did then i would absolutely HATE the bourne series

Decado · 12-30-2009, 04:37 AM

Definitely. Shaky cam and quick cuts bug the hell out of me, particularly since they have become very obvious techniques when trying to keep an action movie PG-13 (essentially by a) making it difficult to see the action and b) changing the angle to avoid showing blood/gore). That's usually what I think about when I see those techniques employed these days. To say that it takes away from the viewing experience is an understatement.

CaptainYoda · 12-30-2009, 03:11 PM

It does affect my enjoyment of a movie. I cant stand the Bourne movies because of it.

master_8ball · 12-30-2009, 03:15 PM

The constant camera angle changes in excess killed QoS for me.

DC_Street · 12-30-2009, 03:34 PM

shaky cams are beyond annoying and give me headaches, quick cuts in movies like QoS are just as disturbing. As much as I love the new STAR TREK movie, I HATE the camera shaking at the most worst timings possible. I wish Blu-ray players had image stabilization built into them so I could watch the scene were Kirk first meets Pike, I mean it was seriously the most pointless shaking I have ever seen in a movie period. I can't even imagine what the cameraman is thinking when he is jerking the camera around and how does JJ even allow such a thing to be in the movie? STAR TREK does at least redeem itself with the rest of the movie but that is the worst scene in the movie period.

master_8ball · 12-30-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC_Street

shaky cams are beyond annoying and give me headaches, quick cuts in movies like QoS are just as disturbing. As much as I love the new STAR TREK movie, I HATE the camera shaking at the most worst timings possible. I wish Blu-ray players had image stabilization built into them so I could watch the scene were Kirk first meets Pike, I mean it was seriously the most pointless shaking I have ever seen in a movie period. I can't even imagine what the cameraman is thinking when he is jerking the camera around and how does JJ even allow such a thing to be in the movie? STAR TREK does at least redeem itself with the rest of the movie but that is the worst scene in the movie period.

Funny, I have seen the movie twice now and dont know if I noticed, or I saw it and it just didnt bother me, I didnt like the over use of lens flare though.

Holmes · 12-30-2009, 04:25 PM

IMO, the skill of the director comes into play. In the last two Bourne films, however rapid the camera movement, I always felt Paul Greengrass was in complete control of what the viewer sees. Watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, though, I just felt lost and disoriented during Bay's erratic, shaky action sequences.

DC_Street · 12-30-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Funny, I have seen the movie twice now and dont know if I noticed, or I saw it and it just didnt bother me, I didnt like the over use of lens flare though.

I'm over critical when it comes to watching a movie and stuff like that makes me really upset, and honestly the lens flare didn't bother me at all, I liked it

jadedeath · 12-30-2009, 05:08 PM

Shaky cam is a minor annoyance to me.

I've yet to pick up the Bourne movies because of it though.

Logan

Chevypower · 12-30-2009, 05:13 PM

Yeah I agree, these days some DOPs are excessive with any technique, they become fixated with the technique and it sticks like a sore thumb rather than adding to the movie. There are a few things that get overused now. There are movies where probably all these things have been used tastefully, but people pick them up and use them excessively.

Hand-held camera shake - definitely excessive in "Bourne", the hand-held look was tastefully done by Jan de Bont in "Speed." It enhanced the movie, without seeming like a prominent feature. You may have even watched the movie without noticing it.

fast zooming in and out (see "The Office") - there are loads of shows and movies that do this now. They do it just to follow a trend. Annoying.

fake film grain - Excessive in "300" Film grain should be a natural part of the film, not some added post-production effect throughout the whole movie.

camera circling the actor - usually it annoys me because it's no longer original, but in "Dead Poets Society" it seemed original and tasteful.

I don't mind lens flare - again if tasteful, and doesn't look too intentional or too frequent.

I don't think any effect or technique should drive the audience up the wall for the whole film or show. It should be used to moderately enhance a scene.

peter008 · 01-01-2010, 04:17 PM

what i hate is not the shaky cam it's the reality-tv documentary shaky cam (district 9) that one really get on my nerves.

Rob J in WNY · 01-01-2010, 04:23 PM

Shaky cam has its place. It often gives scenes a very "documentary-like" or "on-the-fly" sort of feel. I definitely like it - when done well, and/or in moderation.

Take Children of Men, for instance. There doesn't seem to be any scene in the movie where the camera isn't moving, and it's done so well - often subtly - and it gives the while film a unique feel. I love this entire film and have watched it countless times on DVD and several times on BD.

Now, Cloverfield is a movie where the camera is supposed to be all over the place...lol.

The only time I watched it, I was having a bout with the flu, so my stomach wasn't in the best shape. Only time I've ever watched it...

SquidPuppet · 01-01-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

The constant camera angle changes in excess killed QoS for me.

RUINED it for me as well.

LordCrumb · 01-01-2010, 06:01 PM

Im usually not to fussy when it comes to the 'style' of certain films. As long as there is a good plot and good acting, I can usually handle it.

Miami Vice, on the other hand, had a bad plot, bad acting, and terrible style.

retablo · 01-01-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC_Street

shaky cams are beyond annoying and give me headaches, quick cuts in movies like QoS are just as disturbing. As much as I love the new STAR TREK movie, I HATE the camera shaking at the most worst timings possible. I wish Blu-ray players had image stabilization built into them so I could watch the scene were Kirk first meets Pike, I mean it was seriously the most pointless shaking I have ever seen in a movie period. I can't even imagine what the cameraman is thinking when he is jerking the camera around and how does JJ even allow such a thing to be in the movie? STAR TREK does at least redeem itself with the rest of the movie but that is the worst scene in the movie period.

JJ allowed it because he was the one shaking the camera most of the time. Watch the making-of doc and you'll see how he did it.

jhiggy23 · 01-01-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Shaky cam has its place. It often gives scenes a very "documentary-like" or "on-the-fly" sort of feel. I definitely like it - when done well, and/or in moderation.

Take Children of Men, for instance. There doesn't seem to be any scene in the movie where the camera isn't moving, and it's done so well - often subtly - and it gives the while film a unique feel. I love this entire film and have watched it countless times on DVD and several times on BD.

Now, Cloverfield is a movie where the camera is supposed to be all over the place...lol.

The only time I watched it, I was having a bout with the flu, so my stomach wasn't in the best shape. Only time I've ever watched it...

Two great examples of how it can be used effectively. Generally, however, I think that is a majorly overused device that affects the quality of a film.

Shanester · 01-01-2010, 07:05 PM

One guy who drives me nuts with his endless camera movment is Tony Scott.

He's a good director but he suffers from severe ADD. We the exception of Crimson Tide and True Romance most of his films are hard to watch because of this annoying gimmick!

He obviously hasn't learned anything from his older brother Ridley

KubrickFan · 01-01-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanester

One guy who drives me nuts with his endless camera movment is Tony Scott.

He's a good director but he suffers from severe ADD. We the exception of Crimson Tide and True Romance most of his films are hard to watch because of this annoying gimmick!

He obviously hasn't learned anything from his older brother Ridley

Have you seen Gladiator? I understand that the action scenes need a quicker pace than your standard dialog scene, but he was overdoing it a bit with the fast cutting.

Penthouse · 01-02-2010, 04:14 PM

I hate shaky cam movies. The last Bourne film was the worst that I've seen. I would have loved that movie if Greengrass didn't use that "style".

See here...
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...ml#post8862281

12-30-2009, 04:28 AM	#1
Batman1980 Blu-ray Jedi Member since:Feb 2009 Location:District 13 Home Theater Gallery:8 4K collection:146 Blu-ray collection:394 DVD collection:57 Blu-ray reviews:22 Trading Score:48	Camera angles/shooting style affect how much you like a movie? I usually don't notice but it REALLY bothers me when a cameraman can't keep his gear steady and sucks at centering on subjects. However, unlike others, the jittery camera affect doesn't bother me as long as it's intentional and not accidental. What do the rest of you think?

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12-30-2009, 04:33 AM	#2
styl3s Senior Member Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Knoxville, TN Blu-ray collection:62 DVD collection:17 Digital collection:169 Trading Score:7	i do hate this whole "shaky cam" shit hollywood has been obsessed with lately.. but it doesn't effect how much i like a film.. if it did then i would absolutely HATE the bourne series

12-30-2009, 04:37 AM	#3
Decado Expert Member Member since:Dec 2009	Definitely. Shaky cam and quick cuts bug the hell out of me, particularly since they have become very obvious techniques when trying to keep an action movie PG-13 (essentially by a) making it difficult to see the action and b) changing the angle to avoid showing blood/gore). That's usually what I think about when I see those techniques employed these days. To say that it takes away from the viewing experience is an understatement.

12-30-2009, 03:11 PM	#4
CaptainYoda Power Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Temescal Valley, CA 4K collection:49 Blu-ray collection:371	It does affect my enjoyment of a movie. I cant stand the Bourne movies because of it.

12-30-2009, 03:15 PM	#5
master_8ball Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:675 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:2	The constant camera angle changes in excess killed QoS for me.

12-30-2009, 03:34 PM	#6
DC_Street Power Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Denver, CO Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:43	shaky cams are beyond annoying and give me headaches, quick cuts in movies like QoS are just as disturbing. As much as I love the new STAR TREK movie, I HATE the camera shaking at the most worst timings possible. I wish Blu-ray players had image stabilization built into them so I could watch the scene were Kirk first meets Pike, I mean it was seriously the most pointless shaking I have ever seen in a movie period. I can't even imagine what the cameraman is thinking when he is jerking the camera around and how does JJ even allow such a thing to be in the movie? STAR TREK does at least redeem itself with the rest of the movie but that is the worst scene in the movie period.

12-30-2009, 04:25 PM	#8
Holmes Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Maryland 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:779	IMO, the skill of the director comes into play. In the last two Bourne films, however rapid the camera movement, I always felt Paul Greengrass was in complete control of what the viewer sees. Watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, though, I just felt lost and disoriented during Bay's erratic, shaky action sequences.

12-30-2009, 05:08 PM	#10
jadedeath Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007	Shaky cam is a minor annoyance to me. I've yet to pick up the Bourne movies because of it though. Logan

12-30-2009, 05:13 PM	#11
Chevypower Special Member Member since:Feb 2008	Yeah I agree, these days some DOPs are excessive with any technique, they become fixated with the technique and it sticks like a sore thumb rather than adding to the movie. There are a few things that get overused now. There are movies where probably all these things have been used tastefully, but people pick them up and use them excessively. Hand-held camera shake - definitely excessive in "Bourne", the hand-held look was tastefully done by Jan de Bont in "Speed." It enhanced the movie, without seeming like a prominent feature. You may have even watched the movie without noticing it. fast zooming in and out (see "The Office") - there are loads of shows and movies that do this now. They do it just to follow a trend. Annoying. fake film grain - Excessive in "300" Film grain should be a natural part of the film, not some added post-production effect throughout the whole movie. camera circling the actor - usually it annoys me because it's no longer original, but in "Dead Poets Society" it seemed original and tasteful. I don't mind lens flare - again if tasteful, and doesn't look too intentional or too frequent. I don't think any effect or technique should drive the audience up the wall for the whole film or show. It should be used to moderately enhance a scene.

01-01-2010, 04:17 PM	#12
peter008 Senior Member Member since:Nov 2008 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:1305	what i hate is not the shaky cam it's the reality-tv documentary shaky cam (district 9) that one really get on my nerves.

01-01-2010, 04:23 PM	#13
Rob J in WNY Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Location:'Western' N.Y. State (MEMBER OF THE "ECPP")™ Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:30 Blu-ray collection:486 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 15	Shaky cam has its place. It often gives scenes a very "documentary-like" or "on-the-fly" sort of feel. I definitely like it - when done well, and/or in moderation. Take Children of Men, for instance. There doesn't seem to be any scene in the movie where the camera isn't moving, and it's done so well - often subtly - and it gives the while film a unique feel. I love this entire film and have watched it countless times on DVD and several times on BD. Now, Cloverfield is a movie where the camera is supposed to be all over the place...lol. The only time I watched it, I was having a bout with the flu, so my stomach wasn't in the best shape. Only time I've ever watched it...

01-01-2010, 06:01 PM	#15
LordCrumb Moderator Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Location:New Zealand Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:405 Blu-ray collection:2924 DVD collection:109 Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:67	Im usually not to fussy when it comes to the 'style' of certain films. As long as there is a good plot and good acting, I can usually handle it. Miami Vice, on the other hand, had a bad plot, bad acting, and terrible style.

01-01-2010, 07:05 PM	#18
Shanester Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Montreal 4K collection:596 Blu-ray collection:2027 Blu-ray reviews:442 Trading Score:8	One guy who drives me nuts with his endless camera movment is Tony Scott. He's a good director but he suffers from severe ADD. We the exception of Crimson Tide and True Romance most of his films are hard to watch because of this annoying gimmick! He obviously hasn't learned anything from his older brother Ridley

01-02-2010, 04:14 PM	#20
Penthouse Active Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Alexandria, VA Home Theater Gallery:58 4K collection:185 Blu-ray collection:1108 Blu-ray reviews: 6	I hate shaky cam movies. The last Bourne film was the worst that I've seen. I would have loved that movie if Greengrass didn't use that "style". See here... http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...ml#post8862281

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