Genre Findings
Found footage is a cinematic technique of which the movie is presented as if it was filmed or recorded
by characters in the movie, and later on is “found” and presented to the audience. The events that happen
in the movie are typically seen through the camera of one or more of the characters.
Found footage are filmed in the form of one of these techniques:
- First-person perspective (or POV):
+ This technique will set audience in the perspective of the character that is holding the recording
equipment.
- Pseudo-documentary:
+ Found footage using this technique will be as identical as a documentary, however the events are
fake.
- Mockumentary:
+ Mockumentary is like real-life documentary, however mockumentary is to depict real events.
- Surveillance footage:
+ This technique will set the audience in the perspective of a surveillance system, mainly CCTVs.
Found footage movies usually share these common factors:
- Technical codes:
+ Handheld camera: With first-person perspective found footage movies, it is usually filmed using
camera held by characters in movie. This is to create a sense of realism and immediacy.
+ Shaky footage: The footages are usually shaky and blurred, which add an intense feeling.
+ Low lighting: Found footage movies usually use low lighting to hide a certain detail or to create
a tense atmosphere.
- Symbolic codes:
+ Cameras & screens: Cameras and screens are often used symbolically in found footage movies
to represent the gaze of the viewer or to explore themes of voyeurism and surveillance.
+ Mirrors: Mirrors are often used symbolically in found footage movies to represent the self or
explore themes of identity and duality.
+ Doors & windows: Doors and windows are often used symbolically in found footage movies to
represent portals to other worlds or to explore themes of containment and escape.
- Characters/thematic codes:
+ Isolated characters: Found footage movies often feature isolated characters who are trapped in a
dangerous situation.
+ Unreliable narrators: The narrators in found footage movies are often unreliable, and the
audience may question the truthfulness of their accounts.
+ The supernatural: Found footage movies often explore the supernatural, such as ghosts, demons,
and aliens.
+ The unknown: Found footage movies often explore the fear of the unknown and the dangers that
lie lurking in the shadows.
No comments:
Post a Comment