Comments on: Boiling Point: POV Camera is Dead, Thanks

By: shadowman

shadowman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:34:17 +0000

When POV is done correctly and for the right reasons, it will work. Such as a serial killer video taping their victims to brag about what they're doing as they taunt the police or FBI, but not video taping themselves so as not to reveal their identity. And there's absolutely no excuse to make the video grainy or shaky with the quality of video cameras and cell phones these days. I think there's still room for smart POV based films that give the audience credit for some smarts and sophistication. In fact I think I'll make one, just to prove it.

By: David

David — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:40:16 +0000

P.O.V. is not a new thing. This particular flavour is and will move on. For another look at P.O.V., take a look at Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:05:25 +0000

Its a Goddamn shame they killed her. She was just hangin out nude, trippin some balls and boom shes dead. Tsk….

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:03:51 +0000

Dude wtf are you talking about? Colverfield had sweet shots of the monster. Do you not remember the close up? And Quarantine might of did well box office wise, but its still a total fail.

By: RobertFure

RobertFure — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:36:36 +0000

Counter point: If you're interested in watching Lizzie Caplan, why are you watching Cloverfield and not True Blood, aka, Lizzy Caplan nude for 27 minutes.

By: phrenetik

phrenetik — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:33:29 +0000

Is the monster the focal point in Cloverfield or Lizzy Caplan?

Exactly.

By: ERoBB

ERoBB — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:11:13 +0000

You mean to tell me someone liked Diary of the Dead?

By: Cole_Abaius

Cole_Abaius — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:32:21 +0000

I believe I've found the logical flaw in your argument. Riddle me this: is the monster in Cloverfield more interesting to look at than Lizzie Caplan?

Exactly.

By: Zach

Zach — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:31:06 +0000

I will say… my favorite movie to make use of POV camera so far is Diary of the Dead…

I liked the premise, and the way they made the POV part of the story.

Definitely the best use of this "style" if you can call it that… but I have to agree with the article overall – it's something that should not be used so liberally – it should be used when it actually fits the story and can be done right… not just to fill holes…

By: BethanyP

BethanyP — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:26:21 +0000

my thoughts exactly.

hey, great column!

By: DMuff

DMuff — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:13:39 +0000

Well said.

Please god no more POV in our cinema, sans porn of course.

By: Chille

Chille — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:53:38 +0000

I hope its over too, but I will admit I liked it in Cloverfield

By: bill cunningham

bill cunningham — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:59:29 +0000

Couldn't agree more – the POV shot that's used to hide defects (budget, lack of production value) is seriously a problem. I am especially pissed at filmmakers who use it for their web serials with people directly addressing the camera and 'breaking the 4th wall."

Done.

How is the medium of the web supposed to grow and mature when all we see are parodies or 'tributes' to other, better produced and better thought out material? Quit addressing the audience. Quit spoon-feeding us the narrative or the character.

Just tell the damn story.

By: AndyIII

AndyIII — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:45:56 +0000

What particularly bugs me about this technique is that it almost never looks marginally authentic…they add in scan lines to sort of simulate a low rez viewfinder, but for some reason the text and blinking REC and battery indicators are CRYSTAL CLEAR and sharp.

My bigger beef is the 'ambient camera movement' that you see on TV. In the hands of a bad camera operator, this is incredibly distracting. Last week's '30 Rock' had several scenes where it was very obvious that the camera operator was just wiggling the camera to wiggle the camera. I don't mind a little hand-held-iness, but unless you're battling Parkinson's or an epic caffeine bender, cut it out.