Camera Work 1

Avoid the decidedly unexciting "ant-farm" effect produced when all the action in your sequence takes place at the same distance from the apparent camera. Think about the many ways that you can move the camera (resize and move the figures in relation to the background) to control the audience's visual and emotional distance and involvement in the story.


Moving the camera closer to a figure can create a sense either of intimacy or tension. Also here, notice how locating the figure off center conveys anticipation or dynamism.



Moving the camera far back makes the figure smaller against the background. This can suggest a figure lost or overwhelmed by circumstances or larger forces. It also can distance the viewer emotionally from the action or figure.

Also note here the importance of the mise-en-scene in making the sequence meaningful.

Camera Work 2 >